damn this cold weather

[stk2008]

Hi all im having probs with me cnc machine its missing steps again and the X axis trapziodel spindle is whipping a little now.

its very very cold in my garage at the mo so im hoping to put a small heater in there im looking at this as i want it to be very cheap to run and keep it on 24/7 over the cold spell.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...NEL+HEATER.htm

whats your thoughts on this please ?.

cheers

[Oldmanandhistoy]

Hi,

IMHO the heater would be a poor choice especially running 24/7. If you need to use electric then I would suggest a small fan heater used only while you’re in there. That way you mostly heat the air to keep you warm.
I doubt the temperature is anything to do with the problems you’re having with your machine. Sounds to me you’ve got a twist in your nut ;o) is this your X axes that has the problems?

John

[stk2008]

hi thanks for the reply.

no its me x and z axis thing is before the cold weather its ran fine so im very sure its the cold weather as in the summer i had no problems at all and nothing has changed apart from the temp.

[Oldmanandhistoy]

How cold has it been in your garage?

What type of screws and nuts are you using?

[stk2008]

i dont have a temp gauge but i will get one i know its bloody cold tbh i can feel it in the bed of the machine (its all ally 1m long x 0.8m wide) and its very very cold.

im an engineer and the machines at work have to be kept at a correct temp so do the jobs or you get a false reading so to speak.

[Oldmanandhistoy]

I was wondering if you were using homemade Delrin/Acetel nuts which may have shrunk but if you’re an engineer then I am sure you can work out the problem.
As for temperature effects on your work, as it’s a router and X is only 1m long then I wouldn’t have thought it would have been a problem?

[CarveOne]

It may be the grease in the bearings getting thick at low temperatures. Try warming the bearings with a hair dryer. Metal parts will contract at low temperatures. If there are differences in the metals, shrink rate may not be the same and close fitting parts may bind. Try warming the metal parts that may have problems with shrinkage. Once you find the parts that are affected by cold weather you may be able to make some adjustments to compensate.

CarveOne

[stk2008]

im using trapzoidel spindles and nuts i realy cant see any other reason for it tbh its been ok in the warmer weather.

i will get a cheap temp gauge tomorrow if i aint snowed in :P

edit

hi carveone i was told the brass nuts will/could contract onto the spindles so that might not help but it all most seems the spindles have shrunk more and is looser fit in the nut as it whips a little now causing resonance and then a stall.

[ger21]

My machine doesn't run very well when it's near freezing either. Fortunately, I have a furnace which will warm up the room (and machine) in less than an hour. Unfortunately, I can't afford to run it 24/7.

[stk2008]

hi ger21 cheers all so for your input you have helped me allot in the past.

yes i realy do need to get a heater in there but it will need to stay on 24/7 .

its a coverted garage i have used insulation on the roof the vapor barrier then plaster board but me money ran out so the walls are just painted but i have done a little to the garage door well i mean im going to when i can bad back

[ger21]

If you have to run it 24/7, then you'll spend more on heating bills then the cost of insulation. My garage is insulated pretty well, but it's still very expensive to heat. I use one of these.
https://www.rezspec.com/catalog-udap.html

[stk2008]

ummm true ok i suppose i could do what you do and thats get a big ass heater and put it on 1hr befor i go out i suppose but i thought if i keep having it on off on off theres more of a chance of moisture build up in there?.