Spoilboard resurfacing question

[mattdirks]

OK…so I know there are a lot of topics out there about spoilboard surfacing…and I believe I have read them all. However, for some reason, I think we all have unique situations that require the greater knowledge of a community. So…after that preamble, I’m hoping someone has a similar situation and can help/commiserate.

I purchased a Whiteside 6210 to resurface my spoilboard. I added a new tool to Carbide Create, created a simple pocket rectangle cut and started to resurface my spoilboards.

Unfortunately…my situation involves different “issues” that have been posted on these forums.

First and foremost, the spoilboard surface area on my Shapeoko 3, is less than what is advertised (not 16” x 16”). I had previously marked a reference line on my spoilboard setup so that I could utilize the full 16” of Y travel, which extended a couple of inches beyond the frame of my machine. However, I also have a bit setter, that is affixed to the frame which sits within the 16”x16” boundaries of the cutting area. I have an extra 0.693” of Y travel to hit the bit setter, but unfortunately, this is within the extra ~2” I have to extend my work piece beyond the frame.

So…the easy fix is to determine the exact amount of spoilboard cutting surface I have and to create the corresponding pocket.

Herein lies my problem.

I often use stock that is greater in length (Y) than the cutting area. My spoilboard setup (with Rockler T-tracks) extends beyond the gantry so that my hold downs are well beyond the cutting surface (behind the router). I can either clamp or screw down my workpiece and this setup works extremely well…except when I have spoilboard tolerance issues.

Which brings me to my current issue…I can resurface my spoilboard to remove the z-tolerance problems…however, because my setup involves a bit setter that can only be mounted within the cutting area, and a spoilboard that is greater than the cutting area, I am now going to be limited to stock that is equal to, or less than, my cutting area.

It seems as if I need to eliminate the bit setter and only have a spoilboard that is equal to the cutting area. Otherwise, I completely negate the surface with stock that is greater than the spoilboard area (as it does not rest on the re-surfaced area).

Am I missing something simple here?

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

Could you post a photo of your setup?

If I understand it correctly, the way I would address this would be to have a cutout area of the spoilboard where the BitSetter is mounted.

I wrote a bit about work area and how it relates to the machine structure at:

Notes on rapid positions and wasteboard leveling

Finally taking the time to revisit this with other machine sizes. For a Shapeoko 3 the rapid coordinate positions are (assuming one has set the origin at the SW rapid position point): NW = 0, 350 N = 200, 350 NE = 400, 350 W = 0, 215 C = 200, 215 E = 400, 215 SW = 0,0 S = 200, 0 SE = 400, 0 which yields: [image] It is possible to move 5mm to the left along X on a Z-Plus machine, and 65mm towards the front of the machine, and the Southernmost Rapid Position Points are align…

which may help (or might muddy the waters further).

[mattdirks]

I did not come across that post in my searches, but had found something similar regarding extending the spoilboard past the front frame. In either case, the bit setter is still problematic as it will still be within the 16x16 cutting area given that there is not enough x travel to account for the width of the bit setter.

I’ve attached my current setup…

[gdon_2003 (Guy Donham)]

I have an XXL with BitSetter. When I resurface my spoilboard I remove the BitSetter and uncheck it in the configuration. When surfacing is over I have a mark with silver magic marker and replace the BitSetter and recheck the config. The offset for where the BitSetter is still in memory. I just do a quick check that the bit is still in the center of the Bitsetter.

[mattdirks]

Thanks Guy… Unfortunately I have to remove my spoil board in order to get at the bitsetter…which then could possibly reintroduce variances after I resurface, as I would need to remove spoil board to reinstall the bitsetter.

I could, however, notch out a bit of the spoil board where the bitsetter is located so that I can get to the mounting screws… Something to play around with today.

Thanks for the thought!

[neilferreri (Neil Ferreri Ω)]

@mattdirks I designed and 3D printed a “secure from front” version of the BitSetter back as I had the same issue. I can post the STL if you’re interested.
EDIT: Pics

Bonus: I found that 1/4 endmill that disappeared a while ago.

[mattdirks]

Absolutely… That sounds great!

[neilferreri (Neil Ferreri Ω)]

Just added pics to the last post…do you have a 3D printer?

[mattdirks]

I have access to one

[neilferreri (Neil Ferreri Ω)]

Here ya go…TOP_back.stl (160.1 KB)