I’m thinking about modifying my SO3 to the XL. I figure if I can find the gantry extrusion and the front and rear frame… I could make a new base MDF, extend the wires on the steppers, a new belt for the X stepper and I’d have an XL. So two questions ( maybe 3)
I only do hobby type work and usually for nothing.
Thanks
Sheldon
In the past a kit was available from C3D to mod a standard SO3 to either an XL or XXL. I didn’t see any kits in the store so I suspect they have been discontinued. You might contact C3D sales and ask if any kits are lying around.
Anyway, the mod is doable, I did the XL mod years ago. As for finding the extrusions and frame parts, good luck. I know the extrusions are proprietary. You might ask around the forum for parts?
As for wiring, I wouldn’t recommend extensions, just re-wire full length. Soldered connections don’t like to be moved, think dragchain, nor do molex connectors. Says the guy that tried both.
Good luck.
The SO3 → XL upgrades were discontinued as of last November.
You would need all the parts which are different between an XL and a Standard size machine:
Sell your standard and buy a new or used machine. Piecing a machine together might be hard.
Gdon_2000: Thought about that. A new XL is about 2K. I’ve modified mine to add a solid state relay to the router cord and an add on bitprobe. So my SO3 is non-standard and therefore figure the best I could do is maybe $1200. So that is $800 difference. Since it is only a hobby, if I were going to invest $800 I would think maybe a water cooled spindle.
If I could do it for a couple of hundred and some work I’d be much more interested. I would already have to rebuild my enclosure. Plus, I am retired and don’t carve for profit and have plenty of time. In fact have only done maybe 3 projects for bartering the rest were freebies.
WillAdams:
Soldering wires is no problem - been doing that for decades. Got lots of shielded wire hanging around.
Drag chains - I keep it in an enclosure so think I could hang the wires from the top on springs.
Cross straps - have aluminum angle hanging around to beef up the base.
Base - I’d have to buy a half sheet of MDF ( and I have working with MDF and / or particle board )
Griff: Had a side job once where I basically replaced connectors with hard soldered connections. So it is a love hate relationship - love the $$, hate connectors lol
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