Hi, I recently just got my Shapeoko Pro up and running again after being down for almost a year due to Covid and other life circumstances.
Anyways I’ve had it for about 10 months now and in the first month of running basic tests which was about 20 mins of cutting the router started smoking and it filled up the oversized garage pretty bad. I received a new router as a replacement from Carbide 3D who were very understanding and gladly replaced it. After receiving the new one life took some bumps and I was unable to run until recently.
Now here I am just starting back up again and I’ve cut maybe an hour or two worth of small things over the past week and a half. Then the dreaded smoking out the top, glowing red inside and ozone smell like crazy just like before. I will say that I have stuck with only using the recommended speeds and feeds and never pushing it. I tried replacing the brushes but I’m still getting a slight burning of ozone smell and the router is like 10x louder than normal like some released any regulator on it (best way I can explain) lol. My fiancé even ran out to the garage to check on me saying she was worried as it sounded out of control lol. I will say as soon as I got smoke and ozone smell I immediately stopped the CNC to keep from possibly damaging the router. Although it seems that the router might be damaged.
So I guess here’s the big question. Since I’m under that year warranty mark should I call Carbide 3D to get a replacement and I’m sure they’ll gladly help take care of me, super great people and company. Or two should I expect this to happen with next one and instead bite the bullet and buy a Makita one? It’d be nice to not have to spend the money on the Makita if I don’t have too. Does anybody have these factory Carbide routers last very long?
Anyways sorry for the ramble but just trying to provide as much detail as possible. Thanks
I have had 2 compact routers without any issue. Sounds like you got really unlucky. You say there was considerable time before you used the router. Was it stored in very humid or other adverse conditions?
But yeah, I would definitely try to talk to support.
If it’s under warranty, let us know at support@carbide3d.com and we’ll work out how to handle it.
Folks who have local Makita dealers seem to do well w/ the RT0701 — it’s a drop-in replacement albeit w/ a shorter cord, different control layout, a dial which lacks detents and which may vibrate off a given speed setting, and in teal — uses the same collets, nut, brushes, bearings, motor, and motor housing.
That said, if you’re pushing things this hard you may want to consider a “real” spindle:
Hi, yes there was a bit of time between but the Shapeoko Pro, router and everything is kept in a dry and insulated attached garage which I use as my workshop. But the garage stays completely dry and insulated from the outside.
Yes tomorrow I’ll give them a ring. I’m sure they’ll be more than happy to help since I’m still under a year and I’ve had nothing but great experiences with them.
Hi Will, I’ll definitely shoot a message over to support and definitely still within a year of receiving my Shapeoko, thank you.
I’m definitely interested in the VFD spindle and I’d be jumping on it right now if it were available but it appears to be out of stock. I did put my email in on the website to be notified when back in stock. Is there any timeframe to when the VFD will be back in stock? I would be all about buying this right away for so many reasons. Not that I’m pushing things at all hard but in the future it’ll be nice that when I do I’ll be better off and plus just the quietness alone will be well worth it.
Any idea when this VFD will be available again? I need this.
Hi Steve.Mc I was cutting a simple mandala design with a scrap piece of poplar. I was using a #302 V Bit by Carbide 3D that was brand new never used before as well. My feeds and speeds I was only using the recommended feeds and speeds. I’ve been leaving the feeds and speeds to the recommended. Currently I’ve got all the time in the world so I’ve been just going slow and steady.
