CNC Shark Forum

The combination of Mach3 , Smoothstepper interface (usb or ethernet), and Gecko g540 driver is a very popular and very reliable setup. Not the least expensive, but very reliable. I would not bother trying to use a PC parallel interface. The benefits of Mach 3 are numerous, and it is a more "open" sy...

Sharkcutup may have spotted it. It appears that the aluminum trailing bearing housing on the far side may be hitting the black rail center support. Hard to see for sure in the video, but the axis is hitting a pretty hard stop, and it rocks slightly when it hits. A conventional fully supported rail u...

Since you haven't received any replies, I'll jump in... You most likely have lost your zero position, and would need to reestablish it no matter what you do. Even If you could get your original zero point established, you might not be able to edit your code to pick a spot where the machine would not...

Regarding the dust boot problems, This thread has info regarding timing the bristles on an angle, so that they do not all hit at the same time.

http://www.cncsharktalk.com/viewtopic.p ... 86&p=23064

This lessens the gantry flex issue when using a dust boot.

Hope this helps
Bob

Hello Joe, It looks like you have already tried to check out some of the "usual suspects". You can get a z drop by inadvertently hitting the upper z limit when the router retracts. Judging from the pictures it seems that is probably not the case. You can check that by running the tool path in air wi...

If your couplers have the small set screws, consider replacing the set screws with cap screws of the same thread size. The cap screws will use a larger wrench and can be tightened a bit better. Also, you can file a flat on your lead screw if it does not already have one. I replaced the motor mountin...

I took a different approach and replaced 4 the motor holding nuts with T-nuts. That way you don't need a wrench under the table to pull the motor off. Just remove the 4 motor screws and pull the motor out along with the lead screw. The carriage will slide forward when you do this as you pull the scr...

It may also be helpful to be sure you are not losing the z zero position if the machine hits the axis limits, either up or down. Hitting the upper travel limit of the z during a job will have the effect of driving subsequent cuts lower. Hitting the lower limit will have the opposite effect. It is he...

If you are looking for modifications to increase strength and get some of the flexing out of your older shark, this thread may be of interest to you. http://www.cncsharktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1342 you can also use the forum search function for things like clamps and tabletop modifications. Hop...

Some downsides would be: You would need to get a mount for the spindle. ( Dixie billet can make you an aluminum mount that is stronger than the factory plastic mounts.) You will need to make a cable to the spindle from the drive unit, and a power cable to the drive unit. The spindle connector is usu...