# Different Day, More Problems **URL:** \ **Category:** Troubleshooting\ **Created:** [November 18, 2025, 8:00pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/different-day-more-problems/25213 "2025-11-18T20:00:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JeffOko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb9ed0/32.png) [@JeffOko](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/JeffOko)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 8:00pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/different-day-more-problems/25213/1 "2025-11-18T20:00:47Z")
I was able to calibrate my set up with good results (the latest yaml file is attached.) I was able to make a successful small cut, then set it up for a large cut (.nc file is attached). The second cut stopped mid-way through, so I stopped it and tried to cut it again today. I extended the belts and took up slack multiple times. Each time it ended with “Maslow is not ready to move. Could not perform Jog. Belt lengths are unknown.” So it’s impossible to move forward. The belts don’t tighten consistently, and every time I attempt to use it another issue pops up. So far I’ve only been able to make 1 decent cut, the rest are garbage or I can’t get the machine to work (after months of trying.) The serial files from my last 3 attempts are included. I’m not certain this thing will ever work the way it was described. [Snoopy Puffer Coat - one cut.nc](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/uploads/short-url/1Q9E96zWX3rvUbea7LCdpItc5HZ.nc) (326.3 KB) [Maslow-serial (16).log](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/uploads/short-url/lkF3mdsnQC7eTsy8ZR9bLqOD7tT.log) (4.7 KB) [Maslow-serial (15).log](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/uploads/short-url/vHrrsReSQl97JCbSnL9eK2GLVNA.log) (9.9 KB) [Maslow-serial (15).log](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/uploads/short-url/vHrrsReSQl97JCbSnL9eK2GLVNA.log) (9.9 KB) ---
**Author:** ![JeffOko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb9ed0/32.png) [@JeffOko](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/JeffOko)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 8:22pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/different-day-more-problems/25213/2 "2025-11-18T20:22:13Z")
[maslow CALIBRATED 11122025.yaml](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/uploads/short-url/4I2qcgurtaL0sJVleMp9lh9jCNn.yaml) (6.8 KB) ---
**Author:** ![bar](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/bar/32/10_2.png) [@bar](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/bar)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 8:24pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/different-day-more-problems/25213/3 "2025-11-18T20:24:22Z")
> [@JeffOko](#): > > The belts don’t tighten consistently This sounds like the issue to me, what do you have for these two settings here: ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/3X/2/8/2839c334497a3579d51310311f1bde534259e9ae.png) ---
**Author:** ![JeffOko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb9ed0/32.png) [@JeffOko](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/JeffOko)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 8:25pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/different-day-more-problems/25213/4 "2025-11-18T20:25:46Z")
![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/3X/7/6/766199ba79da29238bcb14c7808d8b13e5943083.png) ---
**Author:** ![JeffOko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb9ed0/32.png) [@JeffOko](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/JeffOko)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 8:34pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/different-day-more-problems/25213/5 "2025-11-18T20:34:27Z")
Also, note that these settings worked for me to cut on Sunday. It didn’t work today while I changed nothing. The retraction force was changed from 2200 to 2500 during my last attempt. That is what is so aggravating - I set it up the same way on two days - one day it works, the other it doesn’t… ---
**Author:** ![bar](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/bar/32/10_2.png) [@bar](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/bar)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 8:37pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/different-day-more-problems/25213/6 "2025-11-18T20:37:11Z")
> [@JeffOko](#): > > 2500 This is really really high which makes me think that something is preventing the spools from spinning freely. Are you seeing that all four need that high of a number to retract, or is there one in particular that seems to be binding up? ---
**Author:** ![JeffOko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb9ed0/32.png) [@JeffOko](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/JeffOko)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 8:40pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/different-day-more-problems/25213/7 "2025-11-18T20:40:08Z")
The bottom left belt is usually problematic. I’ve also had issues with the upper right belt not retracting. I don’t see anything that is preventing the spools from spinning freely. ---
**Author:** ![ian\_ab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a587f6/32.png) [@ian\_ab](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/ian_ab)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 8:43pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/different-day-more-problems/25213/8 "2025-11-18T20:43:41Z")
That Retraction force is really high, what is the lowest force you can get the belts to reliably retract? Do all the belts need that much force to retract? I sanded, polished and lubricated the arm part the spools rotate on and could still pull the belts in reliably at 900. I realise it a pain to pull the Maslow apart, but it may be the next step for you. If some of the belts retract at a lower value you may not need to touch those. Also I found that setting the two force values to the same was more reliable. ---
**Author:** ![JeffOko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb9ed0/32.png) [@JeffOko](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/JeffOko)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 8:48pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/different-day-more-problems/25213/9 "2025-11-18T20:48:13Z")
I’ve had the Maslow apart a number of times already - I’m not looking forward to doing it again. What did you use to polish the arms, and what did you use to lubricate them? The bottom left belt is usually the culprit but the upper right one is starting to act up too. I can set the two values to be the same. Why does this thing work one day and not the next? It is terribly inconsistent. ---
**Author:** ![dlang](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dlang/32/859_2.png) [@dlang](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/dlang)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 8:54pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/different-day-more-problems/25213/10 "2025-11-18T20:54:02Z")
Jeff wrote: > The bottom left belt is usually problematic. I’ve also had issues with the > upper right belt not retracting. I don’t see anything that is preventing the > spools from spinning freely. I have seen arms get much stiffer from one day to the next. in one case I found the gears were loose on the motor shafts, but just spinning the spool on the arms was very stiff. David Lang ---
**Author:** ![dlang](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dlang/32/859_2.png) [@dlang](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/dlang)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 9:05pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/different-day-more-problems/25213/11 "2025-11-18T21:05:56Z")
Jeff wrote: > I’ve had the Maslow apart a number of times already - I’m not looking forward > to doing it again. What did you use to polish the arms, and what did you use > to lubricate them? I used [28Pcs Sanding Drums Sandpaper Sticks Set for Dremel Rotary Tool with 1/8" Shank, 180/240/320/600/1000/1500/2000 Grits Different Meet More Needs for Metal Rust Removal/Stone Grinding/Jade Polishing: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FC5TG3X8?tag=maslowcnc0d1-20) to sand/polish (I did 320, 600, 2000 grits) I also used [Amazon.com: BNUOK 120pcs M3 x 14mm Hex Socket Head Cap Screws Bolts, 304 Stainless Steel 18-8, Allen Socket Drive,Bright Finish, Full Threads,with Hex Spanner : Industrial & Scientific](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJQFTRB1?tag=maslowcnc0d1-20) when reassembling (much better hold on the tool and on the locking nuts) I’m not listing my lubrication as I don’t have enough time on it to know how it will hold up. > The bottom left belt is usually the culprit but the upper right one is starting to act up too. with the belts not pulled fully tight , try wiggling the spools, they should turn freely for just a tiny distance (gear backlash), but I suspect you will find it very hard to turn them at all. > Why does this thing work one day and not the next? It is terribly > inconsistent. part of it is plastic parts. The 4.1 arms are too snug a fit against the spools (there is a new generation of spools now that have a better fit) and the arms can distort slightly when you tighen the stock screws in them and those slight bulges can cause problems. David Lang ---
**Author:** ![ian\_ab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a587f6/32.png) [@ian\_ab](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/ian_ab)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 9:07pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/different-day-more-problems/25213/12 "2025-11-18T21:07:37Z")
> [@JeffOko](#): > > What did you use to polish the arms, and what did you use to lubricate them? I used fine grain sandpaper on the hubs, I didn’t want to sand the spools in case I needed to replace them later. I used a mixture of graphite and petroleum grease to lubricate them. It was pointed out to me that some plastics react badly with grease, so do your research on what lubricants are recommended. I suggest before pulling the Maslow apart again, you identify which arms require more force. To do that try lowering the retract value and do extend, retracts until belts fail to retract. Make a note at which value each belt requires to retract. The lower you can get these values the more accurate the Maslow appears to be. Several people have made tools and techniques to help with this, look for sandpaper in the Search I also recommend replacing the screws which hold the arms together with a slightly longer screw. ---
**Author:** ![Betalombo](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/betalombo/32/26664_2.png) [@Betalombo](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Betalombo)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 11:19pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/different-day-more-problems/25213/13 "2025-11-18T23:19:01Z")
> [@JeffOko](#): > > Why does this thing work one day and not the next? It is terribly inconsistent. The belts have a steel core and accumulate tension; the arms are made of plastic, and the accumulated tension causes them to close and tighten against each other. When you manage to work with a retraction force of 900, it no longer accumulates as much tension. > [@JeffOko](#): > > What did you use to polish the arms, and what did you use to lubricate them? I use graphite; it’s a powdered lubricant that locksmiths use. > [@Maslow 4.0 to 4.1 upgrade - Old spool too tigh for new arms](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/maslow-4-0-to-4-1-upgrade-old-spool-too-tigh-for-new-arms/23926/2): > > With the drill I polished the head of the arm screws a little too And this was my technique for sanding the arms to make them a perfect circle ---
**Author:** ![dlhein](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dlhein/32/28398_2.png) [@dlhein](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/dlhein)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 4:31pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/different-day-more-problems/25213/14 "2025-11-19T16:31:34Z")
Hi JeffOko I had similar issues with tight spools and after cutting my first or second piece. I found that a small amount of sawdust/chips/debris got into the ends of the belt arms. I would extend all and help them extend while using compressed air from every angle possible to remove any dust. After 2 or 3 extend all/retract cycles blowing out any contamination it was back to being able to move at a motor drive of 1000-1300. I had a bud 3d print the dust extractor and have not had the problem since installing it. Hope this might help Dave