Hello everyone,

Well i researched forever and finally picked up a machine - the new taig 4axis with the 1/4hp spindle.

I just installed all the stepper motors, the controler, and have everything rigged up to the computer.

I am designing in Solidworks, exporting to an STL and sending it into meshcam. I then take the meshcam into Mach3.

After this, I have no idea what to do! I did not receive any instructions with the Taig, how to set it up, what 'jogging' is...I kinda felt it was going to be fairly plug-and-play.

Does anyone know a good place to start? Is there a place online that gives basically step by step instructions for your first run on a taig so you dont mess anything up?

Thanks in advance!
-CG

Where did you get your Taig? When I purchased mine I got a nifty binder full of all sorts of useful information on setup, maintenance, etc. You'll probably have to set up Mach3 to properly control the mill. Best bet would be to ask around in the Mach forum on this site. Those people can probably help you out a lot more with actually setting up the program than I can. I personally use TurboCNC and had to mess with it a little bit and get some help in order to have it run the controller correctly, but it works quite nice now.

Specifically, what kind of help are you looking for? General machine setup, programming, controller issues, etc?

What control system did your taig come with? Is it the Taig system or is it one of the multitude of other available systems (such as is commonly found on ebay)?

As far as putting it together, does your pile-o-parts looks something like this:
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1470/1267/1600/mill_parts.jpg
(or this http://thetriphome.blogspot.com/2006/01/new-toys.html )

If you are looking for some quick and dirty setup instructions for mach 3, there is a file that I posted in the xylotex yahoo group that covers my mach 3 settings for my taig mill (a word document I wrote to walk myself though it if I ever had to start from scratch again)

Go to www.machsupport.com, and start watching the videos.

Only the full Taig CNC comes with a manual.

For setting up the Taig see here:
http://www.cartertools.com/millset.html
and here:
http://www.cartertools.com/millset2.html

For running it? Well follow the Mach directions as once it's set up running it has more to do with the software...

For your first jobs try and keep feedrates low until you learn how to properly adjust the machine, about 10 ipm (5 for z downfeed)...depending on endmill diameter, etc.
Get on the taigtools yahoogroup for taig-specific info...

Don't worry too much about making mistakes, just keep your finger right near the e-stop...

thanks everyone - im all setup.

I have not used the Mach3 yet, but the spindle works and everything is bolted down. I did not receive a bit chuck with my Taig though, what are yall's recomendations to use for that?

thanks,
-CG

Do you have the ER spindle?

If you have the stock spindle, then you will need at least a 3/16" collet and collet closer (dealer should have recommended that!) and the spindle wrench.

With teh stock spindle you can also buy screw on endmill holders from various suppliers such as White Wolf Airsmithing.

If you have the ER spindle then you will need some ER collets (ER spindle comes with closer) and two spindle wrenches.

Clemson Girl - What types of things are you wanting to cut? What stock materials will you be using etc? For your first cuts I would recommend using wood or wax till you get your CNC bearings.

If you have the stock spindle, then you will need at least a 3/16" collet and collet closer (dealer should have recommended that!) and the spindle wrench.

With teh stock spindle you can also buy screw on endmill holders from various suppliers such as White Wolf Airsmithing.

If you have the ER spindle then you will need some ER collets (ER spindle comes with closer) and two spindle wrenches.


I have the ER spindle, but it did not come with the collet and closer.

I am only milling onto wood. I take my male mold and then thermoform it. Thats it. I am looking into an injection molding machine for the future, so possibly may mill in light Al, but that will be lonnnnng from now.

carter...who would you recomend I purchase the collet and closer from?

Much thanks,
-CG

If it's the ER spindle then it should have come with a closer.
You can always buy those items from me, but I'd check with your dealer to make sure that he didn't forget the collet closer (it's $10.00), as it should have shipped with the mill.

Taig only offers 6 sizes of ER collet, it can be more handy to buy a full set of 10 from Enco or USshoptools.com

If it's the ER spindle then it should have come with a closer.
You can always buy those items from me, but I'd check with your dealer to make sure that he didn't forget the collet closer (it's $10.00), as it should have shipped with the mill.

Taig only offers 6 sizes of ER collet, it can be more handy to buy a full set of 10 from Enco or USshoptools.com

I sure didnt get it, dang.

If you have the stock spindle, then you will need at least a 3/16" collet and collet closer (dealer should have recommended that!) and the spindle wrench.

With teh stock spindle you can also buy screw on endmill holders from various suppliers such as White Wolf Airsmithing.

If you have the ER spindle then you will need some ER collets (ER spindle comes with closer) and two spindle wrenches.

I purchased the ER spindle, but im second guessing if i actually received it. I did not receive any wrenches. How can i identify if I do have the ER16 spindle?

Thanks!
-CG

Did you get any collets or a closer nut with the mill? If so you can compare yours with pictures of others on the internet. Another quick and easy way to check is to measure the opening in the mouth of the spindle. I have the older, proprietary spindle/collets and at the widest opening of the tapered mouth it measures 0.500". Although I do not have ER spindle upgrade I'd bet the opening is quite a bit larger than a half inch.

no, it is around .5

I believe I have the CR version. Though I bought the upgraded ER

kinda ticked....but I dont even know the difference.

I would definitely contact whoever you bought it from and report your findings. I know that if I paid for the ER upgrade I would definitely expect it and not just "live with it". Difference would be in the tooling sizes that you can hold (up to 3/8") plus a lot more collet sizes out there so you're not stuck with the standard 1/8", 3/16" and 1/4" supplied by Taig.

I've considered upgrading to the ER spindle but if I'm going to go that route I might just want to build my own beefier version - but thats an entirely different subject and thread.

Good luck on getting things sorted out - hope you get what you paid for!

I would definitely contact whoever you bought it from and report your findings. I know that if I paid for the ER upgrade I would definitely expect it and not just "live with it". Difference would be in the tooling sizes that you can hold (up to 3/8") plus a lot more collet sizes out there so you're not stuck with the standard 1/8", 3/16" and 1/4" supplied by Taig.

I've considered upgrading to the ER spindle but if I'm going to go that route I might just want to build my own beefier version - but thats an entirely different subject and thread.

Good luck on getting things sorted out - hope you get what you paid for!

Alright, its def. the CR spindle. I purchased the Taig unit, the 1/4 HP motor, the Xylotec (sp) board, a fourth axis, Mach 3 license, 253oz Z, and 116oz X,Y steppers, and shipping for like 1750. Was that a decent deal?

not too bad. I put together my 3 axis setup with the ~250oz zylotex 3 axis kit for about 1400$ + tooling costs. I bought the Er spindle option with the 12inch x axis and 6 collets for the er spindle from cartertools.com (shameless plug)

The ER spindle frickin rocks my world (Just had to say that). it works quite well.

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1470/1267/1600/Floodcool1.jpg

(that is my mill running)
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1470/1267/1600/enclosure_sm.jpg
that is of a flood cooling enclosure I built (version 2.0 of the enclosure)

not too bad. I put together my 3 axis setup with the ~250oz zylotex 3 axis kit for about 1400$ + tooling costs. I bought the Er spindle option with the 12inch x axis and 6 collets for the er spindle from cartertools.com (shameless plug)

The ER spindle frickin rocks my world (Just had to say that). it works quite well.

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1470/1267/1600/Floodcool1.jpg

(that is my mill running)
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1470/1267/1600/enclosure_sm.jpg
that is of a flood cooling enclosure I built (version 2.0 of the enclosure)

That looks just like mine. my spindle ID is .5, and the OD is .75

This is CLEARY not the ER spindle, correct?

those pictures have the ER spindle. if the black nut has a single revolution of a helical insert then you probably have the ER spindle. (the helical insert snaps into the groove in the ER collets holding them in place). When I get back from work I will take some detail pictures of the ER specific parts for you.

-Greg

That looks just like mine. my spindle ID is .5, and the OD is .75

This is CLEARY not the ER spindle, correct?

If your spindle OD is 3/4" then it is the standard spindle, not the ER spindle.
The ER spindle has an OD of about .86"

You can see both here:
http://www.cartertools.com/erspin.html
First 3 pics are of the standard spindle, the rest of the ER. Note that the hex on the spindle looks different as well.

quick test- grab a 3/8" round bar of anything and stick it into the spindle. If it can go all the way through the center, its an ER. If not, then its not. I think its pretty much confirmed that you didn't get the ER tho. :-/

Clemson, I went through the same setup frustrations with my Taig CNC. Make sure to watch the tutorials on MAch webpage, they are helpful. The Taig setup tutorial from Cartertools is also excellent. Make sure you have your motors tuned correctly in Mach, no stalling etc. Get familiar with Mach's machine coordinate and work coordinates as well - this really messed with my head for a while. I'd recommend downloading the MAch manual (PDF). MAke sure your table jogs the correct way too, you may have to reverse the direction of travel. This will be important when you run a program, otherwise it will not be machining the material. It takes a while but you'll get it. I feel your pain. -Bob