I am looking at purchasing a Shapeoko Pro 4X4 machine in the next couple of months. I want to know what is a good set of Allen’s wrenches to have? Will I need metric or SAE sizes? Are there torque specs on the fasteners that I will need to follow during the build?
Are there things I need to look out for during the build? Any other tools that are helpful during the build?
Thanks for any and all help.
Keith Howard
Depends on what extra fixtures you might use? The machine comes with several (Metric) as part of the kit.
Allen wrenches is the easy part, I have a S5 Pro 4x4 and it came with everything I needed to get cutting once assembled.
There are numerous build videos depending on which model you select. And plenty of folks on this forum just about 24/7 to answer almost any question you might have.
I have 2 sets of ball end allen wrenches. One is SAE/Imperial and the other Metric. The brand is Wera and they have lasted for quite a while. I bought a set of T handled metric allen wrenches at Harbor Freight and I have to grind them almost every time I use them because they are so soft. So my advise is to buy a reputable brand and they are likely to last a lifetime. Buying cheap tools saves money but makes you cry every time you use them.
Shapeoko machines are all metric.
In theory, all the tools which one needs (except for a shop vac for dust collection and whatever is needed to build the table the machine is placed on) should be in the box.
Current machines are entirely metric (unless one introduces 14-20 threaded inserts for extra workholding), so for hex keys:
I’d suggest either a T-handle set or a nice ratchet and bit set.
Torx T-15 is used for some insert tooling, but usually such tools includes one.
Flush cutters — for trimming zip ties (or use a pair of nail clippers which will leave a nicely rounded end)
ISTR grabbing a pair of needle nose pliers for something (maybe pulling on a zip tie?)
A decent set of calipers is often useful.
The wrenches for the spindles/Carbide Compact Router are supposed to be much better than they were (I can’t recall them coming up on support in recent years), so that should be good, though one can splurge if one wants, see:
Used to be 8/10/13 were wanted, but unless getting a leg kit, I believe it’s all sockets now. The leg kit wants 10 and 19mm wrenches/sockets (larger socket would have to be deep enough to go over the end of the bolt).
Things to look out for:
I believe there are torque specs for the router mount (9–10NM?), for the balance, just remember monkey-tight, not gorilla.
I specifically bought some T handle ball end wrenches and found during assembly that there were some button head screws where the recess was too shallow to work with the ball end on the wrench. No problem, I used the supplied wrenches for that and it was only an assembly issue, not an issue in normal operation.
My funny story is when I purchased a chair for my shop, the t allen wrench that came with it was perfect for my CNC clamps. That’s all I’ve been using for a year now! So you really don’t need much. (I honestly don’t even know what size it is but it works!)
Probably 4mm — I keep one in my EverRatchet multitool for use w/ the small extension in my CRKT Getaway driver and it comes in useful every so often tightening bolts on Ikea furniture when visiting folks.
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