My 65mm VFD spindle started making noise last night. Sounds like something isn’t running smoothly inside any more.
I’ve had the 5Pro and the spindle since August of 2023 (14-ish months) and only use it once or twice a month and not for big or heavy carving. I read a post that some people had the connector come loose a bit and that was their issue. I checked that and it’s good and tight.
Any one have any thoughts?
I have a few videos with the sound.
Might be spindle bearings, hard to say from the clips, they don’t need a ton of hours on them to fail and sometimes they fail fast. Should probably send that to support and get their opinion.
Hopefully they can help, they don’t list the spindle separately but maybe they can provide one if it is the bearings. If they can’t/won’t it’s not too hard to swap out to a different vfd and spindle that’s not locked down.
As a side note, it’s really unlikely but you try to blow it out see if something got in there. Doesn’t sound like foreign material but would be good to cross it off the list.
Mine did the same after long MDF cuts. I asked support if blowing/sucking air through it would harm the unit. They said the bearing is sealed.
I will be restarting the spindle today ( after some PM ) to see if it persists.
I will try a vacuum from the bottom, I don’t want to further stuff particulate down into the unit.
I did notice my collets were FULL after cutting, so maybe a little love tap or two will help.
I made a few love taps with a rubber mallet and no debris at all.
I did vacuum from the bottom ( PM day any way ).
I just restarted my spindle from days cold with the start up macro.
All quiet/consistent . At 18000 rpm it has a warble for 20 seconds and goes away.
I know this router has done that forever.
what is the “start up macro” you mentioned?
In Carbide Motion. In the Run display, there are Quick actions.
One of the actions is Spindle warmup.