alpscraftshack
New Member
Posts: 25
Location: Glendora, California
Machine: Carve King
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Post by alpscraftshack on Jan 4, 2019 18:21:18 GMT
Congrats on your purchase Raul. I have an M3 and a Carve King. They are both great machines and have given me accurate & reliable, & repeatable cuts, without any problems, for over a year now. I am sure the Power Route will give you the same great service.
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gofer
Junior Member
Posts: 86
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Post by gofer on Jan 31, 2019 17:53:41 GMT
Hi Folks! I am a wood hobbyist and computer geek. I went to a vocational high school for cabinet making and have been making and building wood projects for 40+ years as a hobby. After a career in the military and a transition into computers I have been a computer geek for 30 years. I am looking to purchase a CNC for hobby use and have my choices down to 3 - the Carve King, the openbuilds workbee 40x40, and the X-carve. I have been researching for months and am ready to pull the trigger on one of the three. I am narrowing it down primarily because I want the screw drive and not a belt drive - my concern is with belt slippage and stretching. I live in Las Vegas and even though my garage shop is insulated the heat and dryness of the summer can do a number on anything rubber.
I do have a few questions on the carve king. While I don't plan on doing very large work pieces I do see where having the ability to re-position a piece could be useful. So my first question is - can a slot be cut into the back board that would allow you to pass a longer board through without impacting the integrity and rigidity of the machine? (I could see reinforcing it with some sheet aluminum or steel.)
I would purchase the homing kit but is there a Z-Axis probe available for the Carve King and is it supported on the controller?
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Post by ttabbal on Jan 31, 2019 20:47:08 GMT
Hi Folks! I am a wood hobbyist and computer geek. I went to a vocational high school for cabinet making and have been making and building wood projects for 40+ years as a hobby. After a career in the military and a transition into computers I have been a computer geek for 30 years. I am looking to purchase a CNC for hobby use and have my choices down to 3 - the Carve King, the openbuilds workbee 40x40, and the X-carve. I have been researching for months and am ready to pull the trigger on one of the three. I am narrowing it down primarily because I want the screw drive and not a belt drive - my concern is with belt slippage and stretching. I live in Las Vegas and even though my garage shop is insulated the heat and dryness of the summer can do a number on anything rubber. I do have a few questions on the carve king. While I don't plan on doing very large work pieces I do see where having the ability to re-position a piece could be useful. So my first question is - can a slot be cut into the back board that would allow you to pass a longer board through without impacting the integrity and rigidity of the machine? (I could see reinforcing it with some sheet aluminum or steel.) I would purchase the homing kit but is there a Z-Axis probe available for the Carve King and is it supported on the controller? I don't have a CK, but this guy does, and if this project isn't big enough, nothing is. millrightcnc.proboards.com/thread/1827/another-large-project-worksI'm in Utah, not quite as hot as the Vegas area. The screw drive appealed to me for the same reasons, thus I own a Power Route. The screw drive is smooth and accurate, I'm quite impressed with it. I really need to get some projects set up, it's been a little too idle lately. I'm still muddling my way around CAM, but it's been an interesting learning experience. I seem to remember reading about someone putting a Z probe on a CK. The PR comes with one, and uses a similar controller setup, so I don't see any reason you couldn't get one going.
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gofer
Junior Member
Posts: 86
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Post by gofer on Feb 1, 2019 4:24:43 GMT
Thanks ttabbal - didn't think of advancing it sideways thinking the drag chain would be in the way. Would still like to know if the controller does support a Z axis probe.
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Post by Derek the Admin on Feb 3, 2019 3:40:37 GMT
It can use a z setter probe. The place you plug it doesn’t say “probe” but it’s there. If you search “Z Probe Carve King” I think you will find a couple threads with schematics.
Welcome to the forum by the way.
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Post by nebulous on Feb 11, 2019 15:02:47 GMT
After probably the slowest build ever (just didn't have much time) I finally got my Carve King up and running last night. I feel like I really accomplished something, although the build really wasn't difficult. I ran into some hiccups along the way but Millright was very quick to help, which is very reassuring. I ran the test file and the machine performed very well, if not flawlessly (until I closed the lid on my laptop midway through and it caused the program to stall, but now I know not to do that.) Hopefully, I'll be able to get comfortable with the software fairly quickly. I have a very interesting project coming up. I'll post the pics if/when successful.
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Post by Derek the Admin on Feb 11, 2019 16:04:39 GMT
Congrats on the build nebulous!
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charleyann
New Member
Posts: 29
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Machine: M3
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Post by charleyann on Apr 20, 2019 16:15:05 GMT
Hi all. I'm new to the hobby CNC market but have been heavily involved in industrial CNC for 45 years. I retired last year and am looking forward to receiving the M3. Anyone know how long shipping takes?
I worked as an Application Engineer for three of the big machine tool builders for 30 years. For the last 12 years I developed CNC processes for an automotive supplier. I have many years of experience with Mastercam and Autodesk Inventor. Ok, enough with the resume.
I've been reading up an UGS and grbl. I like to know what makes things work so this project should be interesting and keep me busy for awhile!
Looking forward to getting to know everyone and getting started on building the M3!
Charley Ann
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Post by Bruce on Apr 21, 2019 0:37:24 GMT
Welcome to the MillRight forum charleyann. Glad to have you here. I wonder how much similarity between Inventor and Fusion 360?
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charleyann
New Member
Posts: 29
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Machine: M3
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Post by charleyann on Apr 21, 2019 3:46:32 GMT
Welcome to the MillRight forum charleyann. Glad to have you here. I wonder how much similarity between Inventor and Fusion 360? There are differences but knowing Inventor made it pretty easy to pick up Fusion. I'm no expert but the learning curve is pretty easy.
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Post by kevin on Apr 22, 2019 1:20:21 GMT
Welcome aboard Charleyann. Although a lot different from the industrial machines you have experience with, the M3 is a great machine. I look forward to seeing what you put it to work on.
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jvenn
New Member
Posts: 25
Machine: Other
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Post by jvenn on Apr 24, 2019 15:12:19 GMT
I had an enjoyable assembly process with the M3. The machine seems to be square and level, but as with most machines, it could probably benefit from some fine adjustments. I have made several successful test cuts after spending quite a few hours learning all of the software details. I am using Fusion 360. I am glad I read some forum posts about how much time it takes to learn the software before I started the Fusion 360 learning process. The Millright resources were all very helpful especially the videos, text files, and forum posts from Derek. Thanks Derek for all you do for all of us. I painted the MDF parts in glossy black before assembly. It looks really good this way to me. I ordered the M3 kit with the optional home switches and the upgraded stability package. I am glad I sprung for these extras. I am planning to start creating some nicely engraved gift boxes and jewelery boxes for family and friends. I am a woodworker who really likes to make cabinets, boxes, and furniture. I have done some inlay work by hand, and am looking forward to learning inlay techniques using the M3 cnc router. I hope to post some pictures of my work soon!
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Post by kevin on Apr 28, 2019 23:15:02 GMT
Welcome to the forum jvenn, look forward to seeing what you make.
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Post by telltalehart on May 10, 2019 17:14:57 GMT
Howdy all, I am a recent grad in mechanical engineering! I purchased a carve king for myself as an early graduation present. I have a good deal of CAD/3D printing experience, and some experience with CAM/CNC. I am looking forward to developing new projects with a much larger variety of materials! I am currently in the process of moving apartments and my first project will be designing and building a tower to house the CNC and 3D printer as well as provide sound deadening and insulate. I also plant to integrate dust handling, ceiling height permitting. This forum seems like it will be an excellent resource! I look forward to getting to know everyone in the projects and assembly sections soon.
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Post by Bruce on May 11, 2019 1:14:52 GMT
Welcome to the forum, telltalehart. It will be good to have a mechanical engineer on the forum. Congrats on your new Carve King also.
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