ShapeOko 3 assembly problems, tips and tricks?

[jayftee]

When using the eccentric nuts, do the eccentric side lay flat against the carriage plate or do the flush side of the eccentric nut lay flat against the carriage plate?

http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server2300/ ... 80.JPG?c=2

When placing the GT2 pulley 20 tooth onto the end of the stepper motor, do I just slide it on? I didn’t file the end of the steeper motor. I’ve tried sliding it on but won’t go very far and seems to get stuck. Can I gently tap it on?

Most likely, you have a grub screw that is screwed a little to far. And yes, before fixing the stepper motor in place, you should file a flat for one of the grub screw to hold onto. And place a ziplock thru the shaft to protect the shaft bottom opening from debris.

When placing the steeper motor onto the carriage plates, does it matter if the electrical is on top, bottom or the side?

Y axis carriage plate(s):
Just to clarify because I think I put them on the wrong access. The long cords will go on the two Y axis carriage plates? These are the carriage plates that look alike?

https://twitter.com/ImprblConstruct/sta ... 2889570305

X axis carriage plate:
I have a ton of questions about this plate. Does any of pictures of this plate from different angels?

Look at Tim's build http://timf.anansi-web.com/wp/shapeoko- ... ly-part-1/

[WillAdams]

Please research anything which you’re not familiar w/ on the parts page: http://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/Parts

That would have allowed one to find:

- http://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/ ... _Placement
- http://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/ ... uild_Notes

[edit]Build Notes

If this is your first CNC machine, it may be helpful to review the instructions for the ShapeOko 2, esp. the Pro Tips. More thoughts: http://www.shapeoko.com/forum/viewtopic ... 485#p45485
The large extrusions may have aluminum shavings in them, and these may migrate to other parts --- vacuum / wipe things off as needed.
When assembling the gantry, a stack of three pieces of the foam which held the waste board halves in place is perfect to support/balance the X-axis rail and Z-axis carriage while attaching the Y-axis motor mount plates.
When mounting the gantry on the Y-axis rails, cover the end plates w/ wax paper or some similar material to allow for adjustment and prevent scratching the end plates.
Use the weight of the machine to tension the belts: http://www.shapeoko.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=5948
[edit]http://timf.anansi-web.com/wp/shapeoko- ... ly-part-1/
Pro-tip: You can insert the hex key wrench through the holes to line up the pieces.
[edit]From: https://twitter.com/ImprblConstruct
Use the motors with the short wires on the y axis.[68]
The x axis pulley goes in the opposite way of the others.
The x axis idler bolts have to go in with the nut on the bearing side.
Adjust the z axis wheels before putting the x axis on the extrusion.

[woodworkerbob]

SO3 Assembly tips from a beginner.

First everything is heavy. Heavy is good! From the box at 55 pounds, to all the parts. Even the provided sharpie is big.

Find a sturdy table at a good working height with lots of light. This will save your eyes and back.

To separate the nuts and bolts into correct sizes, some form of a quick measurement tool is required. I used a Harbor Freight digital caliper. It measures in inches and in millimeters. There's a bunch of oddly sized standoffs. The digital caliper was critical in getting the correct ones.

Get a few, I used less than 6, small bags to separate parts. Separating the m5x16mm from the m5x20mm into their own bags not only reduced mistakes, but it really sped up the assembly process.

The wasteboard is made of MDF. Both water and oil are bad for MDF. A couple coats of polyurethane will seal the MDF. Quick light wipe with high grit sandpaper, 300 to 600, will smooth out the poly after each coat. Do this a few days before assembling the base. Poly takes about a week to fully cure.

The big extrusions, as said before, are heavy. Be careful handling them. The cut ends can be quite sharp. Yep, the cut on my left thumb proves this point. One of the three extrusions was full of chips and those chips can be nasty as well.

As every teacher you ever had said, "Read all the instructions before you begin."

[WillAdams]

Thanks! Very helpful, took the liberty of copy-pasting it to the wiki: http://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/ ... structions okay?