Vintage Shapeoko 3 XXL Tune-Up

CNC Machines Shapeoko
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Hello Everyone,

I recently picked up a second-hand Shapeoko 3 XXL (S/N 7998). The previous owner used it for inlay work, but it’s been sitting unused for a few years. I was able to connect it to Carbide Motion and jog it around without any issues, which was reassuring.

It’s mostly just dusty, so I plan to clean it up and order the Shapeoko Maintenance Kit to replace the belts and replace any hardware that’s in less than ideal shape.

I already own a standard Shapeoko 3 (purchased in 2020, stored since 2021), so I’m familiar with the basics — but I have a few compatibility questions:

  • My standard Shapeoko has a Z-Plus, while the XXL has the original belt-drive Z. Can I swap the Z-Plus onto the XXL?
  • I have an original BitRunner, I never installed. Would it work on the XXL?
  • I also have a BitZero v1, can I use it on this machine?
  • I’d like to add a BitSetter eventually. Will this controller support it?

Thanks!

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If you swap the Z-plus and it has proximity switches on it, you need to see if the wiring on the XXL needs to be updated. If the XXL uses mechanical switches, the extension cables won’t be compatible.

Bitrunner will work as long as the machine has the 6-pin connector on the side of the controller opposite where power and USB plug in. It may be easier to swap the controllers you have if that’s not the case. Just make sure you re-run the initial configuration if you do.

BitZero v1 will work.

BitSetter will work, but you’ll need a splitter PCB to have that AND the BitZero installed at the same time. That should come with the BitSetter, if the shop page is to be believed.

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For having both a BitSetter and BitZero if one has proximity switches on an SO3, then one can directly connect one accessory to the Reserved header and the other to the P(robe) header on the PCB Expansion Adapter.

4

If you dont have a need for two machines, you could splice the Y rails from the two machines and extend your cutting area to about 33x54. See Shapeoko 3 XL + XXL Progress. Cheers.

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5

I spent some time going over the XXL& determined as of now it has mechanical switches. The standard (&Z-Plus) has proximity switches. Looks like updating to prox switches from the mechanical switches is inexpensive enough.

I popped the cover off& noted that there is a 6 pin connector. (Board version is 2.4e)

Glad to hear BitZero V1 will work, if I wanted to upgrade to V2 are there any issues doing so?

As for the BitSetter, I realized I actually already have one, found the unopened box in the toolbox I keep next to my original machine. I’ll check& see what’s inside the box regarding the splitter PCB. If there is not one, is that available for purchase?

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Nifty concept, for the time being I probably won’t do so. I may explore doing so at a future date if a sustained need for more usable workspace arises.

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I’ll likely upgrade to prox switches, seems inexpensive enough to do so& beneficial based on the limited headers.

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If there’s somehow not, just reach out to support, they’ll get you sorted out.

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Sounds good. Only follow up question I have is if I wanted to upgrade to BitZero V2 the 2.4e board& expansion PCB would still be able to handle it, correct?

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Yes, the v2 BitZero includes an adapter cable so can connect to any Shapeoko.

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Awesome! Thanks for confirming this.

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While I have parts on the way to update the electronics side of things I decided to start playing with waste board designs. Photo of where I’m at currently below:

image
image2495×1515 290 KB

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Handful of things to be added on today/ over the next few days.

IMG_0119
IMG_01192856×2142 1.75 MB

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I have an SO3 XXL and created a spoilboard considerations document a while back. Please review it and see if you can use any of the contents. My spoilboard is slightly smaller than the cutting area specifically so I can level my spoilboard edge to edge. The original spoilboard that C3D supplied was bigger than the actual cutting area and that would live a ridge at the back and left side of the spoilboard. In those days that was not a problem but since they added tiling a ridge on the back would be a problem.

spoilboard_considerations.pdf (1.3 MB)

Additionally the jogging bountries that are set when doing the initial configuration are less than the capability. You dont want to physically hit the left rail but usually you can increase your jogging area slightly by modifying your shapeoko.json file. This will allow you to jog slightly more than the standrd configuration. When you send a file there is nothing stopping your SO3 from slamming into the physical stops. However during jogging there are limits. To find your shapeoko.json file open Carbide Create and then on the Help menu and About choose Open Data Directory. Under the Carbide Motion folder you will find the shapeoko.json file. You can open the file in a text editor such as notepad on Windows. Be sure to save as a text file. The parameters you want to look is the X.

Here is what my shapeoko.json file looks like. Do not duplicate my .json because I have an xxl. However you can increase slightly, power off SO3 and restart CM. CM only ready the shapeoko.json when started.

{
“bitRunnerEnabled”: true,
“bitSetterEnabled”: true,
“bitSetterX”: -25.5,
“bitSetterY”: -786.5,
“bitZeroType”: 1,
“connection”: 1,
“hasLaser”: false,
“lastConfigSent”: 2,
“lastProbeIndex”: 0,
“lastSizeOption”: 0,
“odometer”: [
{
“cleared”: false,
“minutes”: 12.259400000000024,
“startDate”: “2025-10-15”,
“travelX”: 16095.225025177002,
“travelY”: 16658.60024547577,
“travelZ”: 1656.600022315979
}
],
“showCarbideRouterRpm”: true,
“spindleType”: 0,
“travelX”: -830.0,
“travelY”: -850.0,
“travelZ”: -140.0,
“version”: 0,
“webhooks”: ,
“workOffsetX”: 714.2999877929688,
“workOffsetY”: 583.9749755859375,
“workOffsetZ”: 16.64999999999999
}

Specificaly change the
“travelX”: -830.0,

The number is in metric and negative from the homing position set during initialization.

Happy machining.

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15

Oh, the sweet smell of new stuff… :upside_down_face:

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I appreciate the suggestions& comprehensive write up regarding adjusting limits.

I outlined the max work area of my XXL to understand what my travel limits were to avoid the ridge you mention. I’m sticking with a 30" square wasteboard as it is large enough for my needs& I am able to surface it in its entirety. I’m still tweaking the design some, but it will likely be fairly close to the photo I posted a few days back.

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IMG_0127
IMG_01273024×4032 3.07 MB

IMG_0128
IMG_01283024×4032 2.44 MB

Looking at the two boards between my original Shapeoko& this new to me XXL, I am thinking I need to use the one off my original machine to be able to properly utilize all of the accessories I planned on doing so (primarily the BitRunner) as the board on the XXL seems to lack the connector needed to hook it up. Other than reconfiguring the board flr an XXL, is there anything else I need to be aware of when swapping the motion board?

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No, running the Setup Wizard:

https://carbide3d.com/hub/docs/shapeoko-setup/

should suffice.

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Thanks for confirming this! I have an additional question, is there an STL for bracket to mount onto the Z-Plus to attach the drag chain? I realized I didn’t have one on it for my standard Shapeoko 3 as it doesn’t utilized drag chains.

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No, but it’s just a metal angle with some holes/slots in it.