Increasing Z?

[amowry]

I'm curious if there are any ways to squeeze a bit more Z height out of this machine? I understand that the table is removeable, so I could replace it with an MDF table/spoilboard which would help me maximize the height. I've heard that with some of the other Shopbots the router or router mount can be moved upwards somewhat. I haven't seen the machine in person, so I'm not sure of the possibilities.

[steve_g]

Andrew...

Do you know which model we're talking about?

SG

[amowry]

I'm wondering about the Desktop specifically.

[steve_g]

Andrew...
Hopefully someone with better knowledge of the desktop will chime in here. I was able to squeeze a bit more Z from my PRT Alpha...

SG

[Max Girouard]

I just looked at mine, and you may be able to get another 1/8 inch if you slide it up a bit. I've started using stub length end mills to gain a little more Z and using jigs that bolt directly to the aluminum bed rather than having a spoil board.

[scottp55]

Max, just got Desktop, and primarily working on 1.75" hard maple. had considered removing t-slot entirely ala Brady's suggestion. Do you have any pictures of your jigs to stimulate these tired brain cells? Any help welcome. Pretty much setting up for production runs of a single item. Trying to make it easy and foolproof. A machinist who is helping our project has never worked on a machine this small, but he "thinks" in aluminum. scott

[bearcat]

How much Z are you looking for? Are you running a spindle or a router?

Ed

[scottp55]

Enough to surface and profile cut 8/4 walnut and maple with .5" safe Z. Scott

[scottp55]

oops, desktop with spindle- upper Z prox switch.

[bearcat]

To get greater tool clearance without removing the t-slot table, I re-mounted the spindle with the collet nut even with the bottom edge of the Z-axis back plate. This gave me enough clearance to machine a 3 layer laminate of MDF superlight 2.2" thick for a client's project. The block was registered and clamped to a 15mm (0.6") thick plywood jig mounted on the t-slot table. After surfacing to 2", the internal full depth holes were opened up with a 1/2" diameter 2.25" CEL 3 degree end mill. The safe Z was set to 0.125"

This change does limit the Z axis travel to the t-slot table surface but is no loss as I always use a 3/4" spoilboard on the DT.

Ed