I’m trying out the MC Etchers for the first time am finding I have to jam the bit into the 1/4" collet. I don’t want to push too hard on this. Am I doing something wrong? Should it only go in until it meets resistance? If so, it leaves a huge length of the tool exposed and it doesn’t seem that would be very wise while etching.
Try removing the collet and cleaning it. Inspect for any damage. Try installing the tool in the collet while disassembled.
Hmm. Tried that. I see no damage. I also tried it with the original collet that shipped with the machine because it’s unused. No dice.
And then I tried some of my other 1/4 shaft bits and they slide in smooth. But the brand new MC etcher shaft gets jammed only a few mm into the collet. What gives?
Can you mic the diameter of the shaft? Perhaps it’s a bit oversized.
1 Like
Bit of a long shot here, but if you haven’t already try scrubbing down the shaft using some kind of solvent, even if it’s just WD40. There could be a coating from the factory that might interfere.
1 Like
What’s that mean, ‘mic’? Like sand it down?
Sorry, “mic” short for micrometer. Can you measure the diameter of the shaft precisely? With a micrometer or calipers.
1 Like
Oh, yes. I did that as well. Same measurement for MC and the other shafts. I think I’ll try the other recommendation and put some lube on it. I didn’t want to introduce lube into the collet with all that dust flying around, but may be my best bet.
No dice with the lubrication. Carbide - any idea why the MC Etcher would be so jammed up in the collet while the other 1/4 bits go in fine? I can’t see anything on either part causing an obstruction, and the measurements seem to be dead on. This seems like something that should be a ‘well, duh’ solution… but I can’t figure it out.
Please let us know about this at support@carbide3d.com — if you have a micrometer or calipers and can take measurements, please send those in as well.
UPDATE: I remeasured several times and did notice there seems to be a .02mm difference. Looks like the MC etcher bits are ever so slightly larger, although that seems to be so small I wouldn’t think that’d be a significant difference. Might just be a bad batch that were milled. Working with Carbide now to see.
This topic was automatically closed 30 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.