Got around to setting up my shoptask, need some advice

**Nexus1155** · 10-03-2009, 02:50 PM

Hey guys,

So i got my machine a few months ago, and finally got enough man power to get it down into my basement. I got the whole tri-power package with the DRO CNC w/ ballscrews. Got the machine, and the DRO and motors and scales all came in seperate boxes.

My question is, does anyone have any tips on installing these things? I mean i got the DRO on its stand all hooked up but thats about it hahah.

I was wondering if anyone has any clear pictures on how to hook on the scales and the motors properly. I've been looking through the threads, there are some pictures around that give the general idea, but i mean all i have is the parts and bags of bolts. I know where they all go, but just not what gears to put on the end of the motors? and also which way the scales go to what side the cable comes out of so it doesn't rub when the machine is running..

Thanks Alot

**Fast01** · 10-04-2009, 09:07 PM

I have some written instructions that JT e-mailed to me. You can either give him a call and have him send them to you or I'll scan them and send them to you tomorrow.

**Nexus1155** · 10-16-2009, 01:09 PM

Sorry I didn't get a chance to reply yet, but thanks alot for the files they should come in handy alot. I'll try to see what I can do, I just want to get this thing up and running finally.

I am still on here looking for some pics though i want to get everything done exact.

**Fast01** · 10-16-2009, 02:16 PM

If I have a chance over the weekend, I'll try and snap some pics for you. If you can't wait for that, go to the Shopmaster website. It was updated recently and has a few pics of the DRO and CNC mounting. Go to "Features" and click on "CNC, DRO AND BALL SCREW MOUNTS". There are some pics there, they're on the new machine, but the mounting is the same.

**Nexus1155** · 11-07-2009, 01:32 PM

That would be great if you could, I mean i read the install directions and I can understand them alright as they are a little weird, but it just seems like none of the supplies bolts will fit or anything! haha And also i think i have to drill out the motor gears :-?

Let me know if anyone had these problems as well

**Fast01** · 11-07-2009, 11:04 PM

I've been fiddling with my machine quite a bit lately, so I'll snap some pics for you tomorrow.

My father, a machinist of 50 years and now a methods engineer, came by my house today and played with my machine for the first time. The control layout had him completely thrown off, but he made a few adjusment for me, made a few cuts and was able to keep things within a thousanth. His basic opinion on the machine is that it's good for a home garage or hobby use, but not nearly rigid enough for anything too serious. He did think it was kinda fun to play with though. I'm sure I'll play with it a bit to try and stiffen it up a bit, but I basically wanted it for hobby stuff. Automtive brackets, bushings and things of that nature.

....and I digress. Anyway, I know what you're saying about the hardware. Nothing is labeled, it's just trial and error and you still have to make modifications for everything to go together. At least that was my experience. I remember I had to make up some spacers for the X-axis scale (the part that slides, not the scale itself) instead of stacking washers as indicated in the instructions. I also had to modify the Z-axis "L" bracket to get that to fit. I also remember having to elongate some of the mounting holes in the guards after the steppers were mounted to get them to go back on. I hope this helps a bit and I bid you happy tinkering!

**Nexus1155** · 11-08-2009, 04:30 AM

Thanks!

there are alot of modifications you can do to get this thing running pretty sturdy. I chopped off those crappy legs on the stands as it is more stable off of those little pegs :P

But thats what i want it for too is small automotive projects. Some production stuff, but nothing hugely scaled.

I tried to install the DRO scales Y seems easy enough, X, the slide seems to fit, but to add the spacers with the 35mm screws do not seem to work at all!.

Now for the Motors, they seem to fit fine and all, but the gears that go on the end have me stumped. I guess i do have to drill out the gears like the instructions say to, but i mean, drilling out metal like that wasn't something i intended on doing, i mean yeah i have a milling machine now but still hahaha.

Any help is appreciated, and my dad is excited for me to get it running, he's still skeptical on what this thing actually does too!

**smallblock** · 11-08-2009, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by Nexus1155

Thanks!

there are alot of modifications you can do to get this thing running pretty sturdy. I chopped off those crappy legs on the stands as it is more stable off of those little pegs :P

But thats what i want it for too is small automotive projects. Some production stuff, but nothing hugely scaled.

I tried to install the DRO scales Y seems easy enough, X, the slide seems to fit, but to add the spacers with the 35mm screws do not seem to work at all!.

Now for the Motors, they seem to fit fine and all, but the gears that go on the end have me stumped. I guess i do have to drill out the gears like the instructions say to, but i mean, drilling out metal like that wasn't something i intended on doing, i mean yeah i have a milling machine now but still hahaha.

Any help is appreciated, and my dad is excited for me to get it running, he's still skeptical on what this thing actually does too!

It sounds like you bought the DIY CNC and DRO setup. The factory installed stuff is more expensive, but you don't have to fiddle around with brackets and alignment etc. JT told me that the tooth belt pulleys were designed for the older style motors with 3/8" shafts, but the CNC supplier is now shipping out motors with 1/2" shafts. It will probably take a while before the machine factory gets in synch with the CNC motor supplier.
Regarding your dad- take his advice earned from a lifetime of machining, but keep in mind that his attitude may be a bit tainted by having worked with professional equipment that was bought by the shop owner.

**Nexus1155** · 11-08-2009, 10:24 AM

Yeah, my dad is hilarious, he loves the idea of computers, but he can't wrap his mind around this machine.

But at the time i did not know they offered a different solution for the cnc/dro setup. Even if i got the DIY stuff, still means it should bolt up! lol. Anyways, I don't have a problem drilling out the motors, as long as everything bolts in and fits well in the long run...

**Fast01** · 11-09-2009, 01:38 PM

Here's some pics for you. I don't know if they'll help or not, but here they are anyway! In the 4th and 5th pics you'll see the spacers I had to make to get the X-axis in alignment. They're just some brass nuts I had laying around that are used for mounting the y-pipe to the exhaust manifolds. I just milled them down to the height I needed. In the last picture you'll see I had to elongate the mounting slots in the bracket on the X-axis considerably to get the bolt holes to line up.

**Fast01** · 11-09-2009, 01:40 PM

And here's some more...

**Nexus1155** · 11-09-2009, 08:52 PM

Thanks ALOT for the pics, these should help a S ton, you should e-mail these to shoptask and have them put them on their site so people like me don't have to wander around!