X-Carve Upgrade: Stiffening X and Y Axis

This was a much needed upgrade for this CNC machine. And it really did help A LOT for the performance of the machine.
Probably a steel bar would have been better than aluminum, but it's much harder to get two nice and straight edges in which you can drill and tap, while drilling and tapping into it is also more difficult.

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Enjoy the video!

[oscarreyes]

I purchased an x-carve 2 days ago (will arrive soon) and I am definitely doing this to the CNC. Thank you very much for your video. Awesome idea!

[omgbbqwtf]

i was really waiting for your take on stiffening the machine. I've seen people use flat stock steel and thought that must be hell to work with and add a lot of excess weight for the motors. very awesome, thank you

[ursaarcadius]

Really great upgrades. Nice job keeping them nondestructive, yet still providing a great amount of strength.

[taow]

This is the best stiffening mod that I have seen so far!
I was going to try this a while ago and even bought the 40x4 aluminium but I stopped because I didn't want to drill through my rails, this DIY I beam is a great idea!
Also I like the homemade T slot nuts, they are quite expensive to buy on the internet for some reason.
Thanks for the great video!

[alxandrjw]

This is an excellent tutorial format. You do a great job of carefully noting each step and giving detailed video related to the commentary. Nice work!

[TimVandeSluisArtist]

Great upgrades. A stiffer rail system is a good feature especially for precision work. Thanks for sharing.

[ThumpertTheFascistCottontail]

Good job Marius. Your modification is so neat & tidy that it looks like an original part of the machine. And it appears to have removed a great deal of the flex.

[MrPoppadog]

love that table saw.  Your knowledge and thought process are beyond your years.   Good Job! love your videos

[clydedrive]

Marius thanks for sharing this and providing a great upgrade that many can do.  Appreciate the time filming it realizing it added a lot more work.

[plunder]

A few drops of paraffin (usually applied with an old toothbrush) helps keep cutting surfaces clean when cutting Aluminium. It does tend to clog cutting surfaces, so this protects your tools for woodwork.

[iflyply]

very nice work Marius! Another thing you might look to do as well is to use a shorter cutter. This will help reduce chatter and increase accuracy even more. I am not sure it is used in woodworking, but in metalworking we use fairly sophisticated endmills with varying helixes. Great job!

[flomojou]

Really amazing amount of effort and consistency, you are far more patient than I ever was at that age (Or now, for that matter). Great work!

[barrygriffin]

Thank you Marius, we appreciate you taking the time and effort to produce and post this. Happy making!

[ingmarm]

I didn't realise how weak the X-Carve is compared to the OpenBuilds OX!. My X axis has three 60x20 sections and I suspect I could almost stand on it with no deflection! Good video, Cheers.

[jimmymal]

This video above the others I've watched makes me want to pick up an X-Carve.  Terrific upgrade.  Thank you.

[JF]

Excellent vid! lots of work to stiffen up an expensive machine. I decided to go with the Shapeoko XXL. It's arriving tomorrow! I'm like a kid that's about to go to Disneyland I can't wait! Using Fusion 360 to do CAD and CAM. It's beautiful software!

[BlakeLambertwondersax]

I like how you make their stuff even better :)
A point though, the vertical section in an I beam doesn't do much except hold the flanges apart. The flanges make most of the bending resistance and torsion resistance.

[apinakapinastorba]

This should become an accessory avaiable in the Inventables store :)

[johnconklin]

Nice modifications. Hope that Inventables takes notice and maybe incorporates some of these things.

[azyfloof]

That sound at 4:57 :D
Much satisfied!