Nice machine! Liking the use of the x-controller. Good to see that it is possible! Out of interest what is that router you have on there?
I am using the Hitachi M12VC. It is an 83mm router in case anyone goes this route and needs to mount one. It seems to be working well so far and I liked that the RPMs go from 8-24k.
Very nice build there @gonzachus I too like the idea of using the X-Controller and Easel. I hadn't considered that as an option and it would make it a good experience for those really new to CNC or just want something super simple that is well supported and growing.
Great build gonzachus. How has the X-Controller been performing? Can you give any details on what you had to do if any to get the controller to work with your machine? I'm considering building the Workbee 1010 and would like the simplicity of using the X-Controller to run it. I'm guessing right off that one would have to switch around the wiring for the stepper motors ( Y axis) to get them to run in sync. Have you installed any homing/limit switches? Any help or advise would greatly be appreciated.
It has been performing like a champ! As a CNC beginner I was able to get it up and running very quickly. You don't have to reverse any of the wiring, the X-controller walks you through the setup and you can reverse any movement through the software. I did have a few issues with larger carves losing steps, but I solved that by turning up the power on the controller to account for the mass of the workbee. I haven't had as much luck with the limit/homing switches though. I believe that the x-carve has theirs in different places so I cannot guarantee that they are compatible. It has been low on my priority list though, I haven't been carving at the outer edges of my capability and I haven't rammed the edge yet. I hope that helps.
Witam serdecznie mały sprzęt i wentylator moich frezarek, ale niestety nie stać mnie na to, ponieważ jest to życie, które muszę zatrzymać i nigdy nie żałować takiej sumy, jeśli moje marzenie ma taką frezarkę. Pozdrawiam właścicieli CNC z fantastycznymi pomysłami.
Did you ever get the limit/homing switches? Just curious about this setup. I’m looking into building a similar setup because the simplicity of it is appealing to me. Anything you would change or lessons learned from your build now that you’ve had it a while?
I finally got my Workbee 1010 together and got a x controller. I'm having several problems but the main one is that when trying to "jog" the x axis to the right or the y axis to the back, it will only move just a few inches and then stop. It won't let me move any further. Nothing I try will let me jog. It will let me re-home the machine but that's all. When I home the machine and go into the settings "Machine", "Advance settings" it shoes "machine home" not zeroed. X, Y, Z all have neg (-) settings. X is a -780, Y is at -780 and Z is at -50 or close to those values. I can't find a way to set "Machine Home" to zero. Being that my settings are set for the 1000 x 1000 Easel sets the max travel limit at 790mm. Just don't know how to reset anything and why it only allows me to travel/jog just a few inches and then stops! Any help would be helpful.
Got it working thanks to the great people at OpenBuilds. Was instructed to change the setting on $4 and re-flash the Grbl on the X Controller from 1.1g to 1.1f. I used all the "$" settings from OpenBuilds for the Workbee 1010. The only other setting that had to be made was reverse settings for the Z axis in homing. The X Controller is a great option for the Workbee 1010 and the helpful folks at OpenBuilds went out of there way to help. My Workbee 1010 is up and running great.
That’s good to hear you got it up and running correctly, haven’t purchased a controller yet, I’m torn between the blackbox and x-controller.
I chose the X Controller over the blackbox because of the "Emergency Stop", "Big red button" that the controller has. Also because of its construction (metal housing). You still have to assemble it, but plenty of easy to follow instructions and videos. Plus the power supply and electronics are all in one enclosure. You don't have to worry about having two separate items and wires connecting the two. That's just my opinion.
Hello. Sorry to bring up an old thread, but how does the machine handle the extra weight of the router over say a dwp611 which is half the weight. (going off of spec sheets that show 5.5lbs for the dwp611 and 10.3 for the hitachi. not sure how much relief you get for the weight minus the base. are you using the standard C beam for the x-axis? Thankyou. im building a 1010 and considering the m12vc for the head and just want to get my ducks in a row
My machine is a WorkBee 1010 and the router that I'm using is the Makita RT0701C 1 1/4 Compact router. I think it only weighs 3.9lbs. It has worked without any problems.
Not OP but I have a Workbee that I have been using a Hitachi M12VC on since 2018 and it handles it just fine. The specs I have seen put it at 7.3lbs. I have used both a 3D printed mount and one I made with it from aluminum. I run it a good amount. I have went through a couple of sets of brushes on the router, which are cheap and quick to change. Only issue I have had is after putting 2" taller Y plates on it, I will chatter a little in aluminum towards the bottom of cuts. I fixed this by adding a 2" spoilboard attachment when I cut aluminum.
Hey Thanks for responding, I was mainly concerned if the added weight was going to want to try to "twist" the cross piece of the gantry (if that makes sense. lol). you are probably right about the 7.3lbs, the 10.3 i saw was just on the amazon link for the item.
Ooznest, who designed the Workbee, recommend 3Kg (6.6lb) maximum router/spindle weight (and say you can push that a bit), so at 7.3lb you aren't pushing things too far. Alex.
Noob question here. I'm in the planning stages of my build so nothing is set in stone yet but I already have a Hitachi M12VC and it seems like it's fairly well regarded. My question is about the spindle mount(s) I would need for it, gonzachus ( OP ) wrote that the Hitachi is 83mm. I haven't found 83mm mounts for sale anywhere, does anyone know of a source or should I order custom made? Thanks in advance!
The one I know of you can buy is at cncrouterparts. They make a mount for it. I 3DPrinted a mount in petg for mine then made one in aluminum on my workbee. 83mm mounts are not common.