# Original Chain Maslow - small Z-motor
**URL:** https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/original-chain-maslow-small-z-motor/25132
**Category:** Troubleshooting
**Tags:** z-axis
**Created:** [November 1, 2025, 10:10pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/original-chain-maslow-small-z-motor/25132 "2025-11-01T22:10:46Z")
**Posts on this page:** 10
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@HeartlandTechie](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/HeartlandTechie)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2025, 10:10pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/original-chain-maslow-small-z-motor/25132/1 "2025-11-01T22:10:46Z")
So I am trying to figure out why my z-axis keeps moving the wrong amount - it seems that when I put in 1 mm (I have a 8mm lead screw - from the Another Z-Axis 3D print instructions) and the unit moves 5 mm. I run the motor test and my motors are not reporting back happy - they both move but then both say fail on direction. (The sled motors are also reporting as fail on first move but ok on 2nd?). Any thoughts or ideas?
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### Author:  [@TimS](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/TimS)
#### Post date: [November 2, 2025, 12:37am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/original-chain-maslow-small-z-motor/25132/2 "2025-11-02T00:37:24Z")
Here is a post to the formula to calculate your z axis plunge.
> [@Trouble with first cut](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/trouble-with-first-cut/18599/7):
>
> I’m not too keen on makerverse but the maslow is doing what it’s told to do. The pitch setting is likely off since your plunge is too deep according to the gcode. The travel height is determined by program settings (I don’t know where in makerverse) and via gcode. I can’t help much more than that, I use webcontrol to control my maslow and carbide create to create my gcode. Here is the maths for fine tuning your z pitch. (Taking from the meticulous z axis post) To calculate the movement error: …
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### Author:  [@HeartlandTechie](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/HeartlandTechie)
#### Post date: [November 4, 2025, 1:15am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/original-chain-maslow-small-z-motor/25132/3 "2025-11-04T01:15:56Z")
I think I just need a new z-axis encoder… going to try that next. Currently the z-axis just goes so far because of time… it does not seem to move based on where it is at all… it currently goes about 5mm each move
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### Author:  [@HeartlandTechie](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/HeartlandTechie)
#### Post date: [November 10, 2025, 5:11pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/original-chain-maslow-small-z-motor/25132/4 "2025-11-10T17:11:27Z")
The new z-axis motor solved my problem… now I just need to get the right tension on my chain pulleys. Any suggestions on a proper weight?
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### Author:  [@dlang](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/dlang)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2025, 9:47pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/original-chain-maslow-small-z-motor/25132/5 "2025-11-12T21:47:52Z")
Bradley Miller wrote:
> The new z-axis motor solved my problem… now I just need to get the right tension on my chain pulleys. Any suggestions on a proper weight?
The key is to not have enough counter-weight that there is more force on the
non-sled side of the sprocket (there is backlash in the gearbox, you want to
keep the net forces always towards the sled side). somewhere in the 4-7 pound
range is typical, but it will depend on exactly how heavy your sled is.
David Lang
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### Author:  [@TimS](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/TimS)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2025, 10:16pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/original-chain-maslow-small-z-motor/25132/6 "2025-11-12T22:16:28Z")
I suggest abandoning the bungies and going with weights, like milk jugs filled about half full with water.
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### Author:  [@HeartlandTechie](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/HeartlandTechie)
#### Post date: [December 7, 2025, 6:33pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/original-chain-maslow-small-z-motor/25132/7 "2025-12-07T18:33:59Z")
Could you give me a better diagram of what you are doing there? That looks very intriguing. My weights just hang down, but this looks better to engage the chain/sprockets?
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### Author:  [@TimS](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/TimS)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2025, 5:10pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/original-chain-maslow-small-z-motor/25132/8 "2025-12-11T17:10:14Z")
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### Author:  [@TimS](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/TimS)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2025, 5:15pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/original-chain-maslow-small-z-motor/25132/9 "2025-12-11T17:15:41Z")
Hope these diagrams help explain it better
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### Author:  [@dlang](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/dlang)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2025, 12:52am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/original-chain-maslow-small-z-motor/25132/10 "2025-12-12T00:52:54Z")
instead of the bushings at the sides, you can get a sweep like
[https://www.homedepot.com/p/Cantex-3-4-in-90-Degree-Bell-End-Elbow-R5233824/202043345](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Cantex-3-4-in-90-Degree-Bell-End-Elbow-R5233824/202043345)
and run the rope to the weight through it.
David Lang