# Guide to operating the m4 from my knowledge so far

**URL:** <https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/guide-to-operating-the-m4-from-my-knowledge-so-far/25562>\
**Category:** Troubleshooting\
**Tags:** crash-recovery, guide, how-to, technical-support\
**Created:** [February 27, 2026, 8:41pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/guide-to-operating-the-m4-from-my-knowledge-so-far/25562 "2026-02-27T20:41:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Caleb\_Yager](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/caleb_yager/32/25070_2.png) [@Caleb\_Yager](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Caleb_Yager)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 8:41pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/guide-to-operating-the-m4-from-my-knowledge-so-far/25562/1 "2026-02-27T20:41:13Z")

</div>

Any time the machine doesn’t know it’s belt lengths:  
retract (probably will be a fucked reading)  
extend  
retract(check reading, should be okay)  
extend  
attach belts to anchors  
apply tension  
(If after apply tension it is still in state unknown, you need to do the  
retract/extend dance)  
release tension  
put a mallet under sled to wedge it up (my preferred method)or some boards under it  
bring the z all the way down till noise  
set z stop  
bring it up to where it wont hit the material when you set the sled back down  
set sled back down  
set z home  
apply tension

New bit and workpiece:  
(If machine is ready to cut still, if not follow last steps)  
Install bit  
center machine (i just apply tension and go off of that)  
set xy home  
set material thickness  
release tension  
carefully lift cnc and slide in your workpiece under it keeping the cnc as centered as possible & line workpiece up vaguely to the center hole  
tension belts  
tell cnc to go to its home or in the program move it around and line it up with the location you want and set a new home  
finish lining up workpiece to center  
screw down wood in the middle  
set z home (make the weight transfer from the bit to the router)(easier to tell if its still on the bit if its not tensioned yet)  
apply tension  
pick your file  
jog outline  
connect shop vac to machine & switch shop vac power on  
turn on router  
cut

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [February 27, 2026, 9:34pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/guide-to-operating-the-m4-from-my-knowledge-so-far/25562/2 "2026-02-27T21:34:25Z")

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Caleb Yager wrote:

> After crash:  
> retract (probably will be a fucked reading)  
> extend  
> retract(check reading, should be okay)  
> extend

important step, attach belts to anchors 🙂

> apply tension  
> release tension

only needed if there is a bit in the router.

> put a mallet under sled to wedge it up (my perfered method)or some boards under it

> bring the z all the way down till noise

I believe this change is in v1.18, please check

> (CRUCIAL ORDER until they update it in future firmware releases to be automatic)  
> set z stop  
> set z home  
> if you dont set the z stop first it will have a incorrect reading for the z home  
> bring it up to where it wont hit the material when you set the sled back down  
> set sled back down

> set normal z home relitive to material height
> 
> New bit and workpiece:  
> (If machine is ready to cut still, if not follow last steps)

I would release tension, fasten your workpiece in place, then do these steps

> Install bit  
> center machine (i just apply tension and go off of that)  
> set xy home  
> set material thickness

done earlier

> release tension  
> screw down wood in the middle

or use the probe.

> set z home (make the weight transfer from the bit to the router)(easier to tell if its still on the bit if its not tensioned yet)

> apply tension  
> pick your file  
> jog outline  
> turn on router  
> cut

David Lang

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Caleb\_Yager](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/caleb_yager/32/25070_2.png) [@Caleb\_Yager](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Caleb_Yager)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 11:29pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/guide-to-operating-the-m4-from-my-knowledge-so-far/25562/3 "2026-02-27T23:29:23Z")

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> important step, attach belts to anchors

very true, I almost added it but i figured it was self explanatory but i will update it because it is very important

> only needed if there is a bit in the router.

true, i was just saying that in that section for when it has crashed midcut or before cut and already has a bit installed and needs to be “recalibrated“ rq

> I believe this change is in v1.18, please check

like we don’t have to reset the z stop and home every time now when it crashes?

> I would release tension, fasten your workpiece in place, then do these steps

i agree “i was just saying that in that section for when it has crashed midcut or before cut and already has a bit installed and needs to be “recalibrated“ rq” and already had the piece installed beneath

> done earlier

done in the event of a crash earlier yes but not for the new piece

> or use the probe.

yea, I really need to build one

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [February 28, 2026, 12:08am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/guide-to-operating-the-m4-from-my-knowledge-so-far/25562/4 "2026-02-28T00:08:36Z")

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Caleb Yager wrote:

> > I believe this change is in v1.18, please check
> 
> like we don’t have to reset the z stop and home every time now when it crashes?

if it crashes, you need to reset Z stop, but that should reset Z home

> > I would release tension, fasten your workpiece in place, then do these steps
> 
> i agree “i was just saying that in that section for when it has crashed midcut  
> or before cut and already has a bit installed and needs to be “recalibrated“  
> rq” and already had the piece installed beneath

but a few steps later you talk about screwing down the wood.

and it’s probably better to not call it a crash (even though that’s the normal  
cause) but rather ‘any time the machien doesn’t know it’s belt lengths’ which  
can be a crash, or an unclean shutdown, or the belts moved to much between power  
off and power on, or ‘something strange happened’

If after apply tension it is still in state unknown, you need to do the  
retract/extend dance.

but do not call it a need to calibrate, that term is in too much documentation,  
posts, videos, etc as meaning ‘find anchors’

> > done earlier
> 
> done in the event of a crash earlier yes but not for the new piece
> 
> > or use the probe.
> 
> yea, I really need to build one

get a short pigtail like these:

> **[Amazon.com: bociloy 10PCS JST-XH 3S Balance Extension Cable, 3.9" 22AWG Silicone...](https://www.amazon.com/bociloy-Balance-Extension-Silicone-Connector/dp/B0FJFM66G1?tag=maslowcnc0d1-20)**
>
> Product Description: Features: Strong Construction: High-grade silicone coating protects 22AWG copper wires from wear. Built for repeated use in RC hobby applications. Easy Connection: JST-XH plugs provide secure mating with battery balance ports....

and then I drilled holes through the side of the cap where the board was, but  
two bolts through the holes with this pigtail on the inside, then I can use  
either clips or magnetic jumper wires like these  
[https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Professional-Silicone-Flexible-Switches/dp/B0BY1GVR6M/](https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Professional-Silicone-Flexible-Switches/dp/B0BY1GVR6M/?tag=maslowcnc0d1-20)

(I like the magnets, if I forget to detach them they will fall away)

I haven’t decided if I want to cut the other end of the wire and leave them  
permanently attached, or just use the magnets to hold them to the bolts.

David Lang

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Caleb\_Yager](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/caleb_yager/32/25070_2.png) [@Caleb\_Yager](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Caleb_Yager)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 12:40am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/guide-to-operating-the-m4-from-my-knowledge-so-far/25562/5 "2026-02-28T00:40:45Z")

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> [@dlang](#):
>
> if it crashes, you need to reset Z stop, but that should reset Z home

oh nice, ill check out the update

> [@dlang](#):
>
> but a few steps later you talk about screwing down the wood.

honestly im very confused about what we are talking about on this one at this point

> [@dlang](#):
>
> and it’s probably better to not call it a crash (even though that’s the normal  
> cause) but rather ‘any time the machien doesn’t know it’s belt lengths’

agreed, better terminology

> [@dlang](#):
>
> If after apply tension it is still in state unknown, you need to do the  
> retract/extend dance.

ill add this too

> [@dlang](#):
>
> but do not call it a need to calibrate, that term is in too much documentation,  
> posts, videos, etc as meaning ‘find anchors’

yea i knew it was a bad term for it but couldnt come up with any other term at the time so i just put quote un quote marks around it

> [@dlang](#):
>
> get a short pigtail like these:

thank you, will do asap

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [February 28, 2026, 1:10am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/guide-to-operating-the-m4-from-my-knowledge-so-far/25562/6 "2026-02-28T01:10:19Z")

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Caleb Yager wrote:

> > [@dlang](#):
> >
> > but a few steps later you talk about screwing down the wood.
> 
> honestly im very confused about what we are talking about on this one at this point

In the second section, you put the bit in, apply tension, then do other stuff,  
then say screw down the wood in the center.

I’m saying that you should releax the tension at the beginning, then do  
everything that needs relaxed tension (inserting the belt, setting z home,  
putting your wood in place, etc) and only apply tension after that.

David Lang

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Caleb\_Yager](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/caleb_yager/32/25070_2.png) [@Caleb\_Yager](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Caleb_Yager)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 2:36am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/guide-to-operating-the-m4-from-my-knowledge-so-far/25562/7 "2026-02-28T02:36:06Z")

</div>

> [@Caleb\_Yager](#):
>
> screw down wood in the middle

i apply the tension and set the xy home then release the tension and slide the piece under so i can line it up pretty good to the middle by just eyeing it up with the center hole then tensioning it and telling it to go home then screw the piece down once i have it sufficiently centered