HDZ justification

CNC Machines Shapeoko
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How to justify spending $$$ for the HDZ?

Besides co$t what are the pros and cons.

I haven’t done much CNC that takes me to that next level, aluminum. Perhaps once I get into learning Fusion 360 then the need for a beefier Z axis.

Still not sure … decision, decision, decision, bling bling biing.

2

The HDZ is:

  • much more rigid
  • more precise/accurate along the Z-axis
  • narrower, so affords an increase in work area (if one doesn’t use the Suck-It and attendant hardware)
  • about as fast as the stock Z (you lose a bit in rapid Z-axis movement, but that’s rarely done at full speed)

My suggestion is to use the machine stock until you encounter a limitation which warrants getting the HDZ. Usually it’s used by folks who:

  • are doing lots of metal work
  • are working in expensive materials where a lost step is costly
  • are making PCBs
  • folks who need the extra X-axis dimension — usually luthiers
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How would I justify it would start it with “Honey, please let me buy this …” and hope she’s in a good mood.

Pros:

  • Accuracy and repeatability
  • Better plunge strength

Cons:

  • Unforgiving - you make a mistake and something will break. Learn your Shapeoko and other new stuff using the stock unit first. That way when you break it you have more justification to buy the HDZ (that’s what happened to me)
  • Will make you want to spend additional money on other upgrades (spindle, laser, the ‘next’ thing). Carbide is starting to introduce new things guaranteeing an empty wallet :grinning:
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4

In addition to @WillAdams points you also get greater tool clearance, EZYTram and can be more aggressive.

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So getting an HDZ means you just have to get a spindle to complete the circle of looks, wants and needs :grin::grin::grin:

6

I hope not — but we’ll see once I get one — I’m still kind of disappointed that there isn’t a 43mm mount for the AMB/Kress/Mafell spindles.

7

You wish. This is not a circle, this is more like a Moebius strip, you can go on forever :slight_smile:

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Dust boot, HDZ, spindle, chiller, digital flow gauges, digital temperature gauges, threaded aluminum beds, tramming gauge$, Amana bits, Cyclone, HEPA filters, Lasers, Linear Rails, Ball Screws, etc.

It’s not a slippery slope; it’s an avalanche … :joy:

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I think Will Adams advise is good. If you look at the store on carbide3d.com it states that the HDZ is overkill for must users. But you have to take a good look at wants over needs. The $450.00 price tag can buy a lot of material to feed your Shapeoko. But if your pocket book is over flowing and your desire exceeds need than go for it.

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Pretty sure I could get by just fine with the standard Z…except tramming it is such a frustrating effort, I’ll probably throw them $400 bones next time in a rage.

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Thanks for All Advise …

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It just looks so damn good…

Haha big pluses for me were extra height and more rigidity for the aly jobs

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I think that you’ll know when you need to upgrade.

The stock Z for me was great until I started running into some of its limitations. For me it was losing steps under some circumstances and milling pcbs was frustrating even with autolevelling. Then i started looking for alternatives. I had a cnc4newbie z in my cart a few times but never pulled the trigger. Then I saw the HDZ and it was from carbide3d, fully supported, etc… decision made!

I’m very happy with my choice and I think I am happier having experienced the limitations of the old Z and being able to actually appreciate what the HDZ is doing for me.

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I agree with this. It was easy to know for me… I’d a workpiece come loose and there were pieces of the old Z axis laying around on my spoil board. Not a hard decision; buy stock or buy HDZ.

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15

Note that if your machine is under warranty, we’ll cover that sort of breakage, and even if out of warranty, we’ll do our best to work with folks on a reasonable arrangement for out-of-warranty repairs.

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16

… and this is the reason why I support Carbide 3D.

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17

I bought it because I am tired of constantly fiddling with the stock Z mechanism. It is frequently out of alignment or just plain falling off the machine and its hard to re-thread that stupid little belt.

My upgrade is still under the tree, but I am pretty sure a lot of these annoyances will go away once its installed. I actually had been waiting for it to be restocked when they announced the sale.

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Congrats on the pending upgrade; you’ll love it. Now you can want for a big water cooled spindle :rofl:

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