My time log so far getting maslow to do what I wanted ( not there yet )

No Judgement
1

Here is a log of my setup experience so far.

Date Approx Time Spent Micro Summary
Dec 7 3.0 hrs Initial Maslow build/assembly.
Dec 8 3.75 hrs First calibration attempts, anchor layout, got Maslow on home Wi-Fi.
Dec 9 9.75 hrs REAT/REAP cycles, 7×7 calibration, Z-height confusion, first test cuts in plywood and foam.
Dec 10 5.5 hrs Coaching with Nate, foam test cuts, Z-home mistakes (through spoilboard/floor), pentagon test, belt break.
Dec 11 0.5 hrs Forum research / learning.
Dec 17 4.75 hrs New belts, rebuild, calibration, Trace Boundary crash off corner, figured out height/geometry issue, new anchor plan.
Dec 18 5.75 hrs Built 4" anchors, multiple calibration retries, anchor reinforcement, retract-all bug, center deviation error.

Details per day:

Daily Time Summary

Date Approx Time Spent Micro Summary
Dec 7 3.0 hrs Initial Maslow build/assembly.
Dec 8 3.75 hrs First serious calibration attempts, anchor layout, got Maslow on home Wi-Fi.
Dec 9 9.75 hrs REAT/REAP cycles, 7×7 calibration, Z-height confusion, first real test cuts in plywood and foam.
Dec 10 5.5 hrs Coaching with Nate, foam cutting tests, Z-home mistakes (through spoilboard/floor), pentagon test cut, busted a belt.
Dec 11 ~0.5 hr Forum research / learning.
Dec 17 4.75 hrs Install new belts, rebuild/reassemble, successful calibration attempt, trace-boundary crash off bottom-right, geometry/height insight and plan to change anchors.
Dec 18 ~5.75 hrs Build 4" anchors, multiple calibration retries, anchor reinforcement, retract-all weirdness, center point deviation error, recalibration in progress.

Per-Day Micro Log (Condensed)

Dec 7

  • ~3 hours building and assembling the Maslow.

Dec 8

  • 2:50 PM – Found Maslow still calibrating from overnight; restarted calibration.

  • Set up Maslow on home Wi-Fi.

  • 3:07 PM – Used Find Anchor Locations (2000 mm × 1000 mm, 9×9 horizontal).

  • 3:29 PM – Followed DLang’s advice: no full recal, just retract/extend/apply tension (REAT).

  • 6:22 PM – On forum troubleshooting failed calibration.

  • 6:31 PM – Retracting, measuring extend distance (120"), starting calibration.

Dec 9

  • 10:50 AM – On forum, updating values in FluidNC config.

  • 11:03 AM – Starting REAT.

  • 11:11 AM – Maslow error; posted to forum.

  • 11:36 AM – Fixed init issue; REAPing.

  • 1:25 PM – Started 7×7 calibration (per Bar).

  • 1:54 PM – Noticed Z height “2 cm” during calibration; confusion.

  • 2:16 PM – Realized that “2 cm” was visible thread at bottomed-out Z; restarted 7×7 after retract/extend.

  • 4:30 PM – 7×7 calibration finished; checked for obstructions; planned forum post.

  • 5:35 PM – Ran Trace Boundary twice, posted about Z height, sent first G-code (no bit), planned 8’ line/L-shape test.

  • 7:00 PM – Found Z-height issue: left in the button pusher used for bit swaps. Created 1" square test in Inkscape; generated G-code; REAP requested.

  • 7:11 PM – REAP done; started first cut.

  • 8:36 PM – Happy with nice test cuts on plywood and foam.

Dec 10

  • 3:30 PM – Changed bit and REAPed.

  • 4:00 PM – Coaching session with Nate (Google Meet): reviewed workspace, triangle plan, and G-code strategy.

  • 5:49 PM – Posted to forum: Maslow won’t get “ready to cut” with foam under it (possible height issue).

  • 7:00 PM – Cut another 1" test square in 1.5" foam (good); previous run cut through spoilboard and into floor due to not re-setting Z home for new surface/bit.

  • 7:01 PM – Planned another test: random shape (pentagon in Krabz with a tab).

  • 7:09 PM – New cut started, sounded too deep, paused; system didn’t recover → power cycle.

  • 7:25 PM – Adjusted bit deeper into router per forum suggestion (more shank in collet).

  • 8:57 PM – Posted to forum: busted a belt by jogging 22 mm from bottom-left home. Considering smaller frame to avoid this. Plan: order new belt, partial disassembly, re-belt, reassemble, recalibrate. Good news: pentagon cut looks clean, no burning, just some Z inaccuracy getting all the way through.

Dec 11

  • 5:10 PM – Back on the forum asking questions and learning.

Dec 17

  • 12:30–2:10 PM – New belts arrived; worked on installing/rebuilding Maslow.

  • 3:30–5:10 PM – Continued building/reassembly.

  • 5:15 PM – Plugged in, tried lowering Z; noted for user guide: set Z before calibration.

  • 5:48 PM – Extended all belts; started calibration.

  • 6:00 PM – Calibration going well; confirmed Z all the way down (no bit) and 2" foam on spoilboard.

  • 6:37 PM – Trace Boundary looked good onscreen, but in reality sled ran toward bottom-right corner, tried to go off edge, opposing belt hit 100% tension, red light, forced REAP.

  • Later – Tinkered with foam alignment and realized high Z + 2" foam + ¾" spoilboard makes belts very tight near edges. Decided to raise anchors and move them inward a few inches, then recalibrate.

Dec 18

  • 11:00 AM – Started work; built updated 4" tall anchors for 2" bit + 2" foam.

  • Multiple calibration restarts: once with bit still in; others due to weak anchors needing reinforcement.

  • 2:52 PM – Started another calibration; plan to add bit afterward and test spoilboard alignment.

  • 3:25 PM – Calibration finished; jogging to edge showed wheelie near left edge; got center point deviation error and “belt lengths unknown / not ready to move” messages.

  • 3:48 PM – Retracting all; bug where only two belts retract. Repeatedly hit Retract All, belts retracting in small increments.

  • ~3:50 PM – Restarted and tried retract again.

  • 4:37 PM – Added side braces to L-shaped anchors to remove flex at top of 4" anchor (no flex now); retracting and recalibrating.

  • 4:51 PM – Added another screw to back of anchor to prevent lifting; started calibration again.