Gaaahhhhh!@!@!!

[Ed_R]

All right! Which one of you put a curse on me last year?
I bought a homebuilt CNC machine last year at this time off eBay. I have yet to get a successful project completed with it. I've replaced the controller, the computer, and the couplers, but it's still losing steps and chewing up DumpsterCNC's delrin couplers at the rate of one every half hour or so on the Y axis. I've looked at that thread end and polished it with 600 grit sandpaper to smooth any burrs but it still keeps chewing up couplers. I've even tried a metal coupler, but it wouldn't align properly.

My Frustration level is extremely high. I REALLY need this thing working properly, I've got a lot of nice projects that just need a reliable CNC machine.
Or maybe a gun. It'd be a REALLY tough choice which to shoot thoguh- the machine or me.

[jcc3inc]

Sir,

Caqn you post a picture/pictures of your beloved machine? Some of us might have some good ideas as to what you need to do.

Regards,
Jack C.

[Ed_R]

I will. I will take a pic or two of the offending turned-down thread end just as soon as I tear the machine down again- which might be WEdnesday if Tim sends me my couplers today. He's just a couple zip codes over so shipping is fast fast fast.
Please ignore any bullet-holes in the machine.

Meantime, I can say that this axis has turned-down ends, to accomodate both the bearing that is pressed into the aluminum and the coupler. It's also got a flat on it.
I've been thinking of getting new thread, some new bearings, and a couple of Tim's thread locks, plus a coupler for the threads that he's selling now. I'm seriousy short on resources at the moment so I can';t really afford much.

[joecnc2006]

yes, pictures of the machine, leadscrews and different area's.

was the machine from an individual or a company?

Bottom line need much more info before any help can be given.

Joe

[Ed_R]

IT was sold to me by 'DeepGroove' out of New Jersey but made in Missouri somewhere.
I'll take pics this evening or so.

[srmaietta]

If couplings are getting chewed up then something is either out of alignment, bent, or you are applying way too much torque to the couplings. Pics of the area close up, and pics of some of the chewed up couplings would be nice.

If it is losing steps, and chewing couplings, then maybe the leadscrew is too tight in its bearings.... Which could suggets a bent screw or overtightened thrust bearings. (endplay eliminating bearings - thrust bearings?) How long are these screws, it seems like excess screw whip could either bend a screw or damage things.

When you take the screw out, roll it along the flattest surface you have to check for any bends.

could be so many things with the description you give.

no guns, its a machine, it can be fixed.
~Steve

[ger21]

You already said it was too far out of alignment to use a metal coupler. Get it aligned properly and your'e coupler problem should go away.

[Ed_R]

realignment attempt, here I come.

[jackson]

maybe this will help