Should I take the brakes off?

[HereinCS]

Please take a look at my z axis. Unless I mount the motor way low, there is very little available cut depth. Just a couple of questions:
1. Should I take the brakes off to give more cut depth?
2. Or should I mount the motor an inch or so lower? Will it torque the z axis too much?
3. Should I just buy a shorter z axis?

[bobsch]

It looks like your motor is mounted at the bottom of your z-axis. Is that true? I don't think I've seen another machine like that. Most mount the motor at the top, not the bottom.

[HereinCS]

actually, it's not mounted yet. That's just where I think it should go.

[WayneHill]

Place an offset plate between the trucks/carrage and the motor mount ???

Wayne

[HereinCS]

Originally Posted by WayneHill Place an offset plate between the trucks/carrage and the motor mount ??? Wayne

That's what I'm thinking as well. If I do so, I can lower the entire router assembly down past the brake. I just wonder though, if this would cause too much torque on the y axis. I'm leaning towards picking up a k2 slide. Only thing I don't like is that it uses a leadscrew rather than a ball screw.

[Khalid]

Waynee is right.. In commercial routers and all DIY routers the Offset plate is installed.. Just make one from MDF and test run..If it works right then for rigidity make one from Aluminum...

[HereinCS]

I think I have a solution: a collet extender. Just have to cut shallower.

[voltsandbolts]

Originally Posted by HereinCS I think I have a solution: a collet extender. Just have to cut shallower.

I think that's more of a band-aid then a solution, I'd go with the offset plate.It's more rigid IMO. My $0.02