How do I attach the spindle mount to the Z bearing plate?

[Crona]

I can see from pictures what screws to use, but I don't see how I can attach this in a way that lets me tighten the clamp. All the instructions have to say about it is "Install the router or spindle mount that you have selected now."

[Derek the Admin]

One side of the spindle mount clamps down on the spindle. Mount that side first and fix it firmly in place. Then insert the spindle in the mount and tighten the other side down.

[Crona]

Oh wow, the instructions really need to be updated. It says to wait to install the spindle until later, but you can only tighten the spindle before you attach the z plate to the x plate?

[Derek the Admin]

No. That is an incorrect assumption. The instructions are fine in this respect. On both the Carve King and the M3 the spindle clamping screws can be tightened after the fact. What you can't do with the M3, is insert router mounting screws from behind the M3 Z plate after it is mounted.

[Crona]

Wait what? I think I am misunderstanding something. The hex nut goes behind the z plate and the screw gets put in from the front side? Is the friction enough to hold the hex nut in place as you are tightening it? I feel like if I waited to tighten that down until after I couldn't get at it, the nut would just slip.

[Derek the Admin]

Crona,

Can you please tell me if you are using the M3 or the Carve King? Just curious which one you are mounting it to. It's essentially the same but the technique differs a little.

On the spindle, that is correct. If you are using the M3, you can see a picture of it on the Z plate on page 3 of the spindle setup instructions. It shows all 4 bolts in there, for what it's worth.
You have two options when putting the spindle mount on:
1) You can tighten the two on the fixed side and just leave the two on the clamping side just hand threaded until you mount the spindle.
2) You can wait until you insert the spindle to insert the two bolts that provide clamping pressure onto the spindle.

There's not going to be friction to hold the nut in place. You'll need to hold the nut with a wrench. A 10mm wrench will hold the nut but you could also probably get a small adjustable wrench on the nuts if you didn't have a 10mm wrench.

Hope that helps. Let us know if there are any other questions.

[Crona]

Yea, that was much less of an issue than I thought it was going to be. I was thinking I wouldn't be able to get at the nuts at all once it was together. Thanks!

[Derek the Admin]

Great. Glad it went ok for you.

[leemen]

instead of creating a new thread on this subject.
Should this use only the two bolts provided with the spindle mount or use four?
I see that it has places for 4 bolts but I do not have any left over after my build.

[Derek the Admin]

If you have a router mount (different than the spindle) you just use the two screws that came screwed into the back of the mount.

[leemen]

Thanks!
You are correct. I have the router mount.