Major hardware updates: who has done them?

[LiamN (Liam Newcombe)]

Well…

There’s VinceFab whose done most things to most Shapeoko and Nomad, check his posts.

Dan Story’s upgrade is a good place to start;

Shapeoko on the Rails!

I have wanted to add linear rails to my SO3 for well over a year (I had 4x 600mm HG15 rails in a box since Nov of 2018 ). I just wasn’t satisfied with the HDZ, I was getting a lot of chatter still and broke a few v-wheels when cutting into 6061. Let alone having to do such shallow DOC, really wasn’t pleasing and depending on the LOC of the endmill using only 5% or less of it. Also, what else I got to do? I’m not very artistic, so I just resort to modding my toys […

He very kindly posted all the CAD files on thingiverse too.

This thread makes a few small changes…

My Shapeoko on Steroids

Hi Guys, i have been working on this machine to make it cut Aluminium parts for Telescopes and Astronomy accesopries… i hope you like it, it needs a bit more work, i will soon finish all the details… [shapeoko 2] [shapeoko]

This thread has a write up and pictures of implementing Dan Story’s rail upgrade

And He's Buying a Railway to Heaven: A Linear Guide Rail Story

So what’s the Story?!? I don’t really do any outrageous projects that truly warrant linear guide rails, but something about the modification seemed achievable and the benefits, undeniable. I’d love to write a full blown tutorial; however, my documentation from this install has a bit too many holes. If my local buddy that just picked up an SO3 XL feels like investing in linear guide rails, I’ll be sure to do a better job at picture taking and making notes. Be warned: this is a glorified brain du…