Router holder is wobbly

I have a Shapeoko 3 XXL and I am kind of new to this world. I realized the part holding the router is wobbly impacting the work. I don’t see any screws to tighten, do i need to replace something?

The SO3 Z axis is either an HDZ or Z-Plus. Older SO3 had a belt Z. Most of the belt Z machines are gone. All 3 ride on v-wheels. If you grab your Z and you can shake it you may need to adjust your v-wheels.

To adjust your v-wheels you adjust the two lower v-wheels. Insert a metric allen into the bolts in the back side and slightly loosen them. Use a wrench to move the eccentrics that the v-wheels are riding on. When you get the v-wheels slightly tight hold the wrench in place and tighten your allen bolt. If you do not hold the eccentric in place with the wrench the eccentric will move due to torque of tightening the bolt. You want the v-wheels snug and not deformed. The top two v-wheels do not adjust. Before adjusting the v-wheels take a stiff nylon brush and clean your v-wheels to remove any caked on debris.

The Z axis router mount is bolted to the Z axis plate. It is not likely that is loose but check to make sure.

There are also 2 v-wheels on each side of the gantry at the bottom that are adjusted the same way. None of the top v-wheels are adjustable.

Post a photo showing what is wobbling and let us know how much?

[type or paste code here](http://gofile.me/5qxkg/vlvo1W9p4)

thank you guys for your help. I uploaded a couple of photos

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I tried to cut walnut, probably was a mistake

You have a belt-drive Z-axis on a Shapeoko 3 w/ a 3rd party dust shoe.

Things to check:

  • all hardware
  • adjustment of eccentric nuts for V wheels on aluminum extrusion V rails
  • that V rail extrusions are secure
  • condition of belt and belt tension

Walnut is a hardwood but is relatively soft. You should be able to cut walnut even with a Belt Z. I looked at your movie and as I posted earlier take a look at your v-wheels.

With a Belt Z you need to reduce the recommended F&S because of the weakness of a BeltZ. You just cannot run a Belt Z like an SO5 with a spindle. That does not mean you have to creep but do not make aggressive cuts. You can reduce the feed rate in CM while cutting. Reduce the speed and slow increase speed until you start feeling jittery. Back off. The SO3 is a good machine but the Belt Z is its weak point. I dont think they still make the Z-Plus for the SO3 but it would be a good upgrade. Maybe post here on the forum to see if someone has a used Z-Plus they might want to sell.

I have an older belt Z and regularly cut walnut (also maple & cherry) with no problems. Once you get it set up you’ll be good to go.

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Thank you all for your answers and help.

Thank you - buying this would be an upgrade and solve my issue as well ?

shapeoko-hdz for 3

Also setting roller behind router made it a little better but not perfect. Should I refer to assembly guide to set it up ? Or is there any guidelines to set up correctly

Yes, the HDZ is markedly more rigid than the belt-drive Z-axis — it’s a game-changing upgrade for an SO3 (and a nice improvement for an SO4/Pro) and on the SO3 is narrower, so actually increases X-axis working width.

Maintenance is much like a car — dis-assembly is the reverse of assembly, see:

Further, note that a Maintenance Kit will allow rebuilding a machine to much like new:

and my experience in support is that the folks who buy a used machine, dis-assemble it, and then install a Maintenance Kit are much more successful than folk who just drop the machine on a table and start using it.

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Makes sense :slight_smile: you learn a lot this way. I think i found the issue, it looks like one wheel is broken, I ordered this kit you recommended, it is arriving tomorrow, let’s see if this will resolve the problem

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@Alper

That will do it!