My new 6040 improvement plan.

[PaisleyPCdoctor]

Cool. I like that dust attachment. I was planning to do something like that. I have some 1" hose I want to attach to spindle. Could you post a pic of how you attached yours?

[Kev2960]

Hi there, the hose is a push fit (tightish) both onto the spindle and for the plastic hoover hose. I made it 0.1mm smaller than the dimensions on the drawing below. you can do this by reducing your cutter dia. Eg. cutter is dia 8.0 so tell the machine the cutter dia is 8.1
The material used is 12mm MDF

[Kev2960]

My machine has no shielding.
As far as the wire gauge goes the steppers on this type of machine only pull 3A max

[PaisleyPCdoctor]

My machine has no shielding.
As far as the wire gauge goes the steppers on this type of machine only pull 3A max

The underrated wires were the 240v power lines, feeding the 2kW VFD and the 24V power supply. The low voltage wires to the steppers were actually a lot meatier.

[Kev2960]

I see, I thought you meant the drivers and stepper wires my mistake

[Kev2960]

Regardless of what some people say I think you’re doing a grand job.

[PaisleyPCdoctor]

Regardless of what some people say I think you’re doing a grand job.

Thanks, mate. Appreciated.

I dismantled machine and nipped up all bolts. I tightened down all bearing adjustment screws (possibly to the point of uneccesary wear- who knows), but after that, the machine felt a whole lot more rigid! I didn't get a chance to measure anything as the wife forced me out into the real world to socialise. I'll measure tomorrow- but deffo better.

[Kev2960]

Hi there, that’s interesting about the bearing adjuster screws. Can you tell me or send a photo. I might check mine, to be honest I didn’t even know there were any
Kev

[PaisleyPCdoctor]

Hi there, that’s interesting about the bearing adjuster screws. Can you tell me or send a photo. I might check mine, to be honest I didn’t even know there were any
Kev

[Zeeflyboy]

Aren't those just grub screws holding the bearing cartridge in place? I don't see how those would do any adjusting on the bearings other than distorting the casing or possibly forcing things out of alignment slightly.

My first (well actually second, but first was tiny) CNC machine was a similar design... was good enough to get started with and do light work, but unfortunately you will never be able to address the flex you get on those unsupported rails without just getting rid of them.

Whether that's an issue depends on what the goals are... cutting foam or other very light duty stuff will never show a problem, harder woods or light aluminium work can be done but you have to really work within the limits of the machine and accept that the tolerances and finish may not be what you hope.