Instructions for calibrating the z-axis on an older Maslow?

[dkressaty]

Take a look at this thread on a quick way to calibrate the Z axis:

3D Printed Easy Z Home Jig

I’ve been wrapping my head around a super easy way to set the Z home since it’s a bit of a pain. Decided to design a jig today that holds the router bit with a magnet at a 10mm offset — happy to report it works really well! Basically, you pop the bit into the jig, the encapsulated magnet holds it in place, and you slide it under the Maslow and into a loosened chuck. Move the Z axis up or down based on where you want to grip the bit. Tighten the chuck (you can hold the bit with needle nose plie…

And a couple of questions first because this sounds like it might not be a simple calibration:

1. Are you using WebControl or Ground Control to control the Maslow
2. Can you post pictures of the sled showing the router plunge gear (the screw that the Z axis motor should be turning)?
3. Is the Z-axis motor reliably (and correctly) connected to the Arduino board?
4. Do you have access to a 3D printer?

Assuming that there are no issues with the hardware (the Z-axis motor works and the plunge gear isn’t at some stop or other limit – pictures will help). The old process on the maslow 1 is kinda tedious and requires you to adjust the Z axis +/- until you can see that the bit is touching the surface of your stock. Once you’ve eyeballed that, you set the Z axis zero for the run and execute the g-code. (I’m assuming you’re using webcontrol and not ground control).

Here’s what I’ve done:
I’ve been using WebControl and I have a Creality 3v2 printer.
I just 3D printed one of the tools that @kyleschoen designed (see the referenced topic and use his zero offset tool) it will work for the original Maslow sled. Using this tool, you install the bit and (if you’ve got the magnet built into the tool) and whatever Z axis height you’re set to is the new zero. Be mindful that when you tighten the collet it may retract a very small amount that you’ll have to adjust for maybe hold the bit in place with needle-nose pliers while you tighten the collet.

As for the rest of the trouble shooting. You may have to start from scratch to get familiar with that old maslow. I literally JUST got mine set up using this guide as well as the original documentation (A Beginner's Experience with the Maslow CNC Router). Take a read through that guide to find useful things to do.

Attached is a PDF of my Assembly Document (came with the maslow) you can find them on line, but this is fastar and it’s late…
It goes through installation and checkout of the Z axis.
Assembly_6.15.2019.pdf.zip (7.1 MB)

I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Darren