MY X3 Thread

[bryanrabb]

Well, since I took the plunge 3 weeks ago. Grizzly has now started carrying the super x3. Figures. I have it in my garage after being delivered to my plant. I took a fork lift and some hold down straps and hoisted it into the back of my suburban. That was the easy part. I took 3 of us to get it onto my bench, it's temporary home. I have a CNC Fusion kit ordered, and a CandCNC pendant, light up thinggy, and some 429 oz steppers comming. Here are a few pics. I will try to use this thread to show the step by step conversion. I am not going will ball screws yet, but when I do, I will probably go with double nuts. I also ordered a bunch of tooling from J&L and Griz. My first project while I wait on the kits, is to make a collet holder.

[phantomcow2]

Looks good. I am very happy with my X3. If you are going CNC, I highly recommend you install ballscrews right away. THey are just so much more efficient, well worth it. I got my X and Y ballscrews fitted last night.
It required almost no effort to rotate the ballscrew and move the table around, and there is not even a drop of oil on the ways right now.
Use the mill in manual form to make the parts you need

[bryanrabb]

I am going to try to bring this thread back to life. I have been building a Control box, waiting for it to warm up. In the mean time, I insulated the cheapo garage door my contractor put in. So I was able to get the temp about 10 degrees warmer as a result. But to us southern boys, it is still ass cold out there. But nothing a propane heater can't fix.

Back on topic. I have the CNCFusion kit (minus ballscrews) about 2/3 finished. I have a nema 34 630 oz stepper for the Z axis, along with a gas strut.

NEMA 23s 400 oz for the x&y axis. I know already that I will regret not putting ballscrews in, but i will get them in due time. It wasn't a financial reason, rather I have ADD and I lose interest in projects and hobbies. So I want to make sure I am going to be intreseted long term before I spend too much money that I won't ever see again.

I will update this post tomorrow with a bunch of pictures. I am going to make this a CNCFusion how to themed topic. They have an excellent product, but need to beef up their instructions. But that happens when a small company grows fast. Support via email has been great, and he let me see a rough copy of the install video. That helped a ton. I expect him to have it on his website as soon as he finishes editing it.

[bryanrabb]

Time to post the pictures. I ran into a snag last night on the X Axis screw. I was told it did not have to be turned, but it looks like it may have to be to fit. I am still working on the control box. I made it from lexan I had laying around. At first I thought it would be cool, but it may suck. Time will tell. Once I get the X axis done, then I will wire everything up and try not to blow any boards.

[Ninhil]

looks like another good x3 conversion thread!


I think your lexan will hold up so long as the box has enough air circulation to cool down the electronics.

[in2steam]

I have one question in regards to the x3 I have seen alot of people use plane old lovejoy spider couplings, but these normally have a fair amount of play in them, is there a particular reason or is it just what happens to be avaliable. I would prefer a spring or semi-solid I use those love joys on motors all the time, but not for a precsion app.
chris

[Ninhil]

Originally Posted by in2steam I have one question in regards to the x3 I have seen alot of people use plane old lovejoy spider couplings, but these normally have a fair amount of play in them, is there a particular reason or is it just what happens to be avaliable. I would prefer a spring or semi-solid I use those love joys on motors all the time, but not for a precsion app. chris

there are zero-backlash couplers available on mcmaster.com

[bryanrabb]

I have used them on cnc routers and other applications. There is almost no backlash in acetal spider couplings, good ones that is. At least not enough to amount to anything.

[bryanrabb]

Looks like I got the endplate for a ballscrew kit. I will have to turn down the end of the lead screw another 1" to make it fit. THis should not be a big deal. I will post pics tomorrow of the finished product.

[Ninhil]

Originally Posted by bryanrabb Looks like I got the endplate for a ballscrew kit. I will have to turn down the end of the lead screw another 1" to make it fit. THis should not be a big deal. I will post pics tomorrow of the finished product.

I have a nice block of hardened tool steel for use on a lathe.. Do you think this is sufficient to turn a ballscrew?

[bryanrabb]

I know absolutely nothing about lathes or tooling. For now anyway. I am ordering one as soon as uncle sam gives me my money back.

[bryanrabb]

Didn't i hear or read somewhere that you need to anneal a ballscrew before turning?