The Shapeoko Forum

Well thanks to another member I have a acme z axis on the way. Ive drawn up a belt drive plate with a 2-1 reduction to go along with it. High fives all around.

It looks very nice. I really like the work bed too, I want to do something similar to that for mine but it'll probably cost a pretty penny considering the size. :? Your machine is no doubt more rigid than the stock machine, have you thought about upgrading to the acme screw ? It would be a nice com...

Here are some shotty update pictures. Still need to wire the new steppers and adjust the amp output on the drivers before i can do any stress testing but im confident in the design. Also added some homemade side plates to protect the belt drive system. Enjoy: 20141128_183653.jpg 20141128_183640.jpg ...

Those plates were actually cut on my CNT 950 router i use at work. 24000rpm spindle, single flute carbide 1/8" and 1/4" endmills running at 100 and 140 IPM. About .125' DOC. I am upgrading and reinforcing so that I can cut aluminium more efficiently/cleanly. I was running it pretty quickly before an...

Well I decided to upgrade to some nema 23 steppers on my shapeoko 2 and while the factory plates have the necessary bolt holes for the larger steppers i decided to ramp up the design. I cut these plates out of some 3/16 alum after i removed all the nema 17 holes and moved the idlers in more closer t...

How much for the mid span plates if you still have em?

The shapeoko can handle 3d milling and the shapeoko is also a 3 axis machine(X,Y,Z)(technically it is a 4 axis but the A axis is slaved to the y axis so they move in unison, with mach3 and the 4 axis board i posted below you can have individual drivers for each stepper) I use mach3 with my shapeoko ...

Found a couple of threads which argue that carbide tools should be used dry or w/ flood coolant, but not w/ mist. Ive heard it also depends on what kind of coating the endmill has. I run uncoated carbide endmills in my work router and in my shapeoko, my mill i used coated endmills with flood coolant.

I am aware that alcohol doesn't create sparks but your Dremel or trim router does! I read both articles and I do not believe there is any situation using a SO 1 or 2 that would require alcohol as a coolant. I hope you never find out what an alcohol fire looks like or have to experience any damage o...

Alcohol doesn't create sparks so there is no real issue with ignition. The big leap towards dry machining has come from, at least based on what I've read, the increased cost in coolant disposal leading to people to try and reduce costs by dry machining. The alcohol evaporates almost immediately taki...