sexy sexy lol I am really feeling spoiled check out the tread I just started to watch some videos
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Another test with the rotary axisâŚI tweaked the steps per mm and it is spot on now. This is still using grbl:
A 1.125" diameter dowel, I used just a 0.25" ballnose bit on this. A single spiral.
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Pretty damn cool. Out of curiosity, how big was the steps per mm adjustment, and howâd you calculate it? Was it trial and error or did you wrap a ruler around the rod and calculate from there?
HIMMM. I donât have 4th axis upgrade, but I upgrade my system with MiniCAT 2016 system. The problem is I canât run the machine. 
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just install Idog, that should sort it out
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It looks like you really splurged and got the multiple redundant MinCAT system. 
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Carve some mice and send them to the other side of the shop
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For the steps per mm, It was a little trial and error and a little math :-).
The diameter of the dowel was 1.125 inches I multiplied that by 3.14159 (pi) to get the circumference of the dowel, 3.534 inches.
I made a mark at the bit location, told the machine to move 3.534 inches to rotate the radial axis, if correct the axis should rotate 1 full turn and stop on the mark. I adjusted from there.
When I replace the electronics, once everything arrives, the calculations will be translated to degrees of movement for the axis, so I will have to play around with settings again.
But it is fun
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Time to kit it up! I am definately doing this once the cold, cruel Minnesota winter sets in. Next week.
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Erik- you are really on to something here! Well done. I can only hope that you will share your notes on the conversions you did to make it work. Amazing.
I have to guess that the upgrades @ErikJenkins did to his Z axis (and X axis height?) are almost a necessity to make the 4th Axis work, unless the rotation A axis somehow happens to fit under the stock XCarve Z axisâŚ
I knew I wanted a rotary axis, that was the primary reason for the X and Z-Axis height increase.
Here is a small piece of cherry from a tree I cut down last year. Next time Iâll use a larger bit, but with a 1/4" endmill it only took about 30 minutes to make a nice round cylinder to carve.
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Now you need 4th Axis dust control ahh, life is roughâŚ
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Here is one problem with using a rotary axis with grblâŚeach time a different size cylinder of wood is cut, the steps per mm must be adjusted to match that particular piece of wood, not a huge problem, but just adds a bit of time to a project. Once I get the new electronics installed, it wonât be an issue as true rotary axis support moves the axis by degrees and not linear movement.
Not a show stopper, just something to consider if anyone plans on going this route and staying with grbl.
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Iâve done quite a bit of lathe work, so being covered with sawdust is like an old comfy blanket
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@ErikJenkins - meant to ask, what font did you use for the scrabble letters and numbers? Iâve been playing with creating tiles but I just canât seem to find the right looking font. Not sure if itâs just the display, but they just donât seem correct to my eyeâŚ
I used News-Gothic.
thanks, Iâll try it.
Here is that piece of cherry from my yard with a relief carve.
The models are from Design and Make, I used a 1/8" endmill to rough and a 0.5mm radius tapered ballnose to finish with a 17% stepover.
I also noticed that it was 1 year ago today that I built my X-Carve and did my first carve. My machine has changed a bit during this last year, but I am enjoying using it more and more each day. I want to thank @Zach_Kaplan and everyone at Inventables for such a great product, the best customer service I have had the pleasure of experiencing and the most helpful community around.
Now, back to making sawdust!
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