All of my holes are coming out not round all of a sudden. I tighten belts, check for wobble at the router and the bit and the x rail.
In addition to the belts be sure to check that the pulley set screws are secure on the motor shaft (put a witness mark across the end of the pulley/motor shaft) and that the eccentric nuts are properly adjusted.
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The SO4 Pro is still belt driven. The usual suspect is the pulley set screws. There is a flat on each stepper motor with 1 of two set screws located over the flat. Check your pulley set screws to make sure they are tight. Some people replace the tiny grub screws with metric cap screws. The tiny set screws can be stripped by the allen wrench so the cap screws use a larger metric head so it is less likely to strip them when tightening. If your belt tension is good the next is the set screws. Also check that there are no obstructions like dust collection hoses or your drag chains getting hung up. I think you can power off the Shapeoko and move the gantry in both directions. Move slowly or the stepper motors product EMF and makes it sound like the belts are slipping. Any hard places need to be addressed.
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Is this where the screws are supposed to be? Both my motors have screws in this position. Shouldn’t they be holding the flat?IMG_6037|375x500
Yes, there should be two set screws in the pulley.
It would be nice if at least one was on the flat, but that shouldn’t be necessary if both are securely in place — put a witness mark across the ends of the pulley/motor shaft to keep track of whether or no things shift.
Okay I’ve put the marks on there and it doesn’t show any slipping but still not cutting perfect circles. Any other ideas?
Belts properly tensioned?
Tool correctly installed and secure?
Linear rails/blocks lubricated?
Feeds and speeds correct?
Upload your .c2d file, let us know step-by-step how you are securing your stock and setting zero relative to it and post a photo showing an attempt at cutting still in place on the machine with the machine at the origin (or a specified offset from that position) and we will look into this with you.
For small circles, I have found they can turn out better by first using a 1/4" bit to clean them mostly out but not entirely, then do a finishing pass with an 1/8" or 1/16" bit. This results in more consistent & precise holes. However, your ‘oblong’ circle seems more the result of some mechanical play/slop or lost steps from trying to cut the circle too quickly.
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I only but bits from carbide 3D and only the feeds and speed defaults. I choose the hardwood/softwood according to the wood.
I have notice a growling coming from the left Y rail when traveling down the rail. There is vibration in the Y travel.
I always clean my rails, always use vaccum. The machine is only a couple years old and maybe about 10 hours on it.
Are the bearings already going out? It seems to be coming from that.
If there’s a problem with the bearings it’s most likely oil — try oiling per:
https://carbide3d.com/hub/docs/maintenance/
One possibility for the Y-axis is that only one motor is working — power down and remove both Y-axis belts and put a bit of tape on each Y-axis pulley (so as to more easily see their rotation), then power up, connect to the machine and try to initialize — the machine should initialize Z normally, then try to move X- and Y-axes, and the X-axis should also home normally, while the Y-axis motors should turn until they time out.
Do they turn evenly and in synch?
Power down and reinstall the Y-axis belts swapping then end-for-end and side-for-side.
If the motors didn’t turn evenly check if it was the wiring, connectors, or controller.
I’ve got the growling solved and hopefully the circle problem. I think something got in the bearing as I oiled them a lot and finally it started going better.
Having a hell of a time with this machine. I had to go take care of family so I had to leave machine sit for 2 years and now just getting back to it.
Had the router seize (again less than 10 hours) so I had my wife order a new and bought a makita to hold keep up with Xmas orders while I wait for router from carbide. Now finally got around to installing it to only find out she ordered the wrong one. Ugh!!
The machine started having a lot of disconnects which is why I forced myself to stop and install the one from carbide. Now I have to go back to the makita while I go and order the right one. Ugh!!!
So frustrated, barely got to use the machine and so many problems I’m running into.
Is the Makita the problem with disconnects. Again running everything default from bits to speeds and feeds. I’m drilling holes for cribbage boards. After 10-20 holes it disconnects.
Been running lots of other programs and no problems with disconnects.
Thanks for all the help. This is a hard time to be down.
Usually if the disconnect problem arises after a period of successful operation it’s caused by worn carbon brushes, next possibility is seasonal aridity induced static, lastly is a heavy load on the same circuit (say a dehumidifier) which doesn’t usually run.
Thank you for the quick response. The machine is the only thing on the circuit. There is no interference difference between these other projects besides drilling of holes in this walnut.