Hi, My apologies in advance if this is a question that has been answered or a resource that is readily available, I am new to open builds the machine as well as the forum and im just struggling a bit to find what im looking for. Firstly if anyone knows of or has a series themselves of a kind of beginner use guide for the machine or cnc routing in general id appreciate it. Secondly I am having difficulty with the Z Axis so far I have successfully ran the hello world project from the open builds video and then I designed and cut my own family last name sign to be hung from my front door it turned out fine but did come loose while cutting the tabs and that was my fault as I didn't have a level work piece or spoil board they were both a little bowed. Just some scrap pieces I was playing with. Sense then I have tried a couple of other projects one being a 3d carve where I failed with tool changes. I need some help there it seemed as though each tool change put me farther out of alignment with my original path as well as my depth. I am having trouble with the z axis plate bottoming out on the work piece before making a full cut through the board. I attempted to cut out a wooden sword for my daughter and though i was able to salvage the piece I again had issues with it bottoming out before making it through the work piece. right now my spoil board was a piece of 15/32 plywood and the work piece was a scrap 1x12. Any help or constructive criticism is very much appreciated its all very new to me and im struggling a bit with the initial learning curve. TLDR: 1. Any good beginner tutorials outside of the openbuilds videos 2. Z Axis bottoming out before making complete cut through 3. Tips for tool changes between cuts and how to keep it true and same depth.
Do you use the probe between each tool change? Also I thought to try to drop the router some but i wouldnt be able to change bits without loosening and lifting router is that normal? I bought the dewalt router with it do you or anyone else have any measurements i can go off of on router placement? Thank you for your assistance.
Post some pictures of how you have it set up? If the bottom plate hits the work before the spindle collet, then your spindle isn't mounted correctly. You want to line it up so the collet bottom, and bottom of Z axis is level with each other so neither restricts movement over the over. If it then touches the work, you need longer endmills Shouldn't need to drop it too far (can't imagine not being able to change bits - that also sounds wrong.,, just jog it over away from the stock, and Z up, plenty of space underneath then) In terms of the Probe, yes, just Z-Zero after a tool change. CONTROL anyway does not directly support toolchanges, so each tool is in its own Gcode file, and in between you jog around to where you want to replace the bit, put the new bit in, rezero Z only (don't rezero X and Y, so it stays consistent between tools) Or you could write a Macro to use TLO (Tool length Offsets) but its a little more tricky, see Bit Setter - Carbide 3d
Heres some photos, i moved it over to the open spot on the spoil board and it looks like i could drop the router a little under an 1/8 inch and still be able to change the bit on the spoil board anymore than that an id have to loosen the router to swap tools. let me know if you can see anything wrong in the pictures or if you need anymore photos. Thanks.
I see what you mean. What about machining yourself a little hole in the spoilboard off to the side where you can move to for toolchanges. Above the hole, so you can drop the endmill out of the collet without the spoilboard getting in the way?
Its a workbee, not a LEAD (but see why the LEADs modularity is awesome? hehe) That said there were a couple folks here on the forum that used the LEAD High Z mod on a Workbee
You haven't shown the ends of your workbee, so I can't be certain but I think you have your spoilboard at the highest position. You certainly appear to have less Z travel available than I have. Have a look at the alternative spoilboard mounting option (link below) in case that would help. 7. Spoiler Board Support Extrusions - Method 2 Alex.
Do yourself a favor and put a second bracket/clamp on the router. Spread them apart as far as you can.
