Issue with uneven vcarve

[mike1332]

Looking for some input on an uneven v carve on my m3. My issue lies on the bottom right "quadrent" of the piece I'm carving. This has been a consistent issue when I carve a piece at the full size of 10.5" x 10.5". Smaller size pieces are not an issue as I tend to place them in the center of the wasteboard.

I've tried to make sure everything is level and square, so I am guessing that my router is not perfectly plum. I just find it weird that it is always the bottom right quadrent on a full size piece.

Any input on where to start tinkering would be helpful. I'm sure there are threads on this, but I didn't come across an issue like this

Thanks

[oldtech]

First, did you tram your router making sure it is level?


Second, did you level your spoil board using your router and a surfacing bit?


Note that this is a bit of a chicken and egg problem since to ensure that your router is level, you also need a flat and level spoil board. However, even if your router is not square a path that it carves out along one direction is flat.

For traming the router I use an Edge traming tool. It has two dials that let you quickly make sure your router is square. A cheaper system would be a circle cutter (that might not be exactly at right angles to the router). I used this one (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004T7P1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) before I got the Edge.

[oldtech]

Note: The Edge traming tool (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M5FV0SI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)is a tight fit on the PR especially if you are using a spoilboard.

I should also note that that my PR table was only flat to within 1-2 mm. That's one of the reasons I am using a spoilboard.

[jms]

I made a 1/2" to 3/8" pin on lathe to mount into collet and then attach my arms and dial indicator, much wider swing too. This is the setup I use tramming the head on my milling machine. But, that should be done off of table, not spoil board. Once its trammed, then you can face mill spoil board. Could aslo take drill rod, .250 bit, put in collet and check with a 123 block, not as accurate but it will show something is off.  In the process of re-doing my spindle mount with 1 round 5/16 and 3 oblong holes on milling machine for side to side adjustment. Then use feeler gauge cut up into pieces to shim the nod.

[mike1332]

thank you for all the info. i will try these things out

[mike1332]

Just as an update, I used the tramming the spindle sticky as a reference and got my router a bit more dialed in. Leveled the wasteboard, much better results now.

Anyone have any tips on adjusting the router mount on the m3. Kind of a pain

Otherwise you guys have been very helpful. So much to learn, but getting better at this