# Question about the M4 frame **URL:** \ **Category:** Frame\ **Tags:** calibration\ **Created:** [January 31, 2024, 11:14pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/question-about-the-m4-frame/19824 "2024-01-31T23:14:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![garru2](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/garru2/32/22819_2.png) [@garru2](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/garru2)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2024, 11:14pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/question-about-the-m4-frame/19824/1 "2024-01-31T23:14:54Z")
![M4 frames](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/3X/4/5/456196f2d7d3eb475843f12b45e55adb95d8b2b7.png) ---
**Author:** ![garru2](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/garru2/32/22819_2.png) [@garru2](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/garru2)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2024, 11:15pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/question-about-the-m4-frame/19824/2 "2024-01-31T23:15:24Z")
Do to limited space in my garage I need to make my m4 frame smaller, like I did with your help with my original Maslow. I really don’t want to lay it on the floor, so based on @bars frame design ( I think it was Bars design) Tried using sketchup to design what I think would work. below are pictures of what I want to build, it has a 15 degree slant so any advice or if it would even work please advice G ---
**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:** [February 1, 2024, 12:56am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/question-about-the-m4-frame/19824/3 "2024-02-01T00:56:09Z")
Yes, I think that both of those options would work. My only feedback would be to consider making the spoil board a little larger. You might find that the usable work area is actually a little bigger than that. Edit: Beautiful illustrations btw 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![garru2](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/garru2/32/22819_2.png) [@garru2](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/garru2)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 3:50am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/question-about-the-m4-frame/19824/4 "2024-02-01T03:50:35Z")
Thanks @bar, that’s all I wanted to know, now I can start building! G ---
**Author:** ![Marcello\_Masili](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/marcello_masili/32/79_2.png) [@Marcello\_Masili](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Marcello_Masili)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 3:54pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/question-about-the-m4-frame/19824/5 "2024-02-01T15:54:07Z")
This is the SketchUp of Maslow original frame adapted to Maslow version 4: > **[3D Warehouse](https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/96e08848-4e97-4122-8542-e9d963c95ab3/Attrezzature-dellArroscias-FabLab-Frame-per-il-Maslow-CNC-40)** > > 3D Warehouse is a website of searchable, pre-made 3D models that works seamlessly with SketchUp. ---
**Author:** ![garru2](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/garru2/32/22819_2.png) [@garru2](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/garru2)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 5:31pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/question-about-the-m4-frame/19824/6 "2024-02-01T17:31:09Z")
Thanks good to know. G ---
**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 1, 2024, 5:31pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/question-about-the-m4-frame/19824/7 "2024-02-01T17:31:49Z")
you will want more distance between the bottom of the workpiece and the bottom beam, and will want vertical supports between the ends of the beams to limit their flexing towards each other David Lang ---
**Author:** ![garru2](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/garru2/32/22819_2.png) [@garru2](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/garru2)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 5:46pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/question-about-the-m4-frame/19824/8 "2024-02-01T17:46:38Z")
[quote=“dlang, post:7, topic:19824”] you will want more distance between the bottom of the workpiece and the bottom beam, [/quote Are talking about the pic on the right or both of them? How much distance do I need from edges of the work space? G ---
**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:** [February 1, 2024, 6:31pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/question-about-the-m4-frame/19824/9 "2024-02-01T18:31:40Z")
> [@dlang](#): > > you will want more distance between the bottom of the workpiece and the bottom > beam, and will want vertical supports between the ends of the beams to limit > their flexing towards each other @dlang you are talking about this design, not @garru2’s right? ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/3X/5/0/500dbbe0a5c4fd4b67d7579b485221f2f6f144e4.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![knorrisster](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/knorrisster/32/23311_2.png) [@knorrisster](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/knorrisster)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 7:20pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/question-about-the-m4-frame/19824/10 "2024-02-04T19:20:55Z")
What is the work area for my 4’ X 8’ table? ---
**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 5, 2024, 2:00am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/question-about-the-m4-frame/19824/11 "2024-02-05T02:00:05Z")
probably 1’x5’ or so. 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:** [February 5, 2024, 2:17am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/question-about-the-m4-frame/19824/12 "2024-02-05T02:17:06Z")
@bar, yes, that was the image I was responding to. ---
**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 5, 2024, 2:19am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/question-about-the-m4-frame/19824/13 "2024-02-05T02:19:15Z")
@knorrisster you will lose 18-14" in from each side of the table to your workpiece (we don’t have a good feel for how much you can push it, and in part it will depend on if you take the belts down to the frame or have belt anchors that keep the belts close to parallel to the workpiece) ---
**Author:** ![knorrisster](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/knorrisster/32/23311_2.png) [@knorrisster](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/knorrisster)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 4:53pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/question-about-the-m4-frame/19824/14 "2024-02-05T16:53:21Z")
Thanks, I want to use my existing table for the original Maslow. I don’t have enough room in my basement for the 10’ x 8’ frame. ---
**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 5, 2024, 7:16pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/question-about-the-m4-frame/19824/15 "2024-02-05T19:16:15Z")
the original maslow requires gravity to move the sled, so it only works angled relativly close to vertical. David Lang ---
**Author:** ![knorrisster](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/knorrisster/32/23311_2.png) [@knorrisster](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/knorrisster)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 8:08pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/question-about-the-m4-frame/19824/16 "2024-02-05T20:08:35Z")
My table is hinged so I can position it for horizontal if I need to. ---
**Author:** ![TravisGood](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/travisgood/32/22266_2.png) [@TravisGood](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/TravisGood)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 4:38pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/question-about-the-m4-frame/19824/17 "2024-02-16T16:38:47Z")
@bar, as we design our frames can we assume that them being square and having exacting side lengths isn’t critical? That is, if instead of 8’x12’ square it was 7’6”x12’ where one side might be and inch or two off, **would the M4 calibration routine adjust for these small variations in length**? Knowing this would help as I’d like to make deliberate choices to position anchors in out-of-the-way places. ---
**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:** [February 16, 2024, 5:10pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/question-about-the-m4-frame/19824/18 "2024-02-16T17:10:55Z")
> [@TravisGood](#): > > **would the M4 calibration routine adjust for these small variations in length**? Yes, you are exactly correct. The calibration routine computes precise XY coordinates for each anchor point and doesn’t make any assumptions about them being square. ---
**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 16, 2024, 7:56pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/question-about-the-m4-frame/19824/19 "2024-02-16T19:56:37Z")
yes, the frame does not need to be square. Bar was planning to do some testing with it wildly out of square to demonstrate this. there isn’t a sharp “works find till 12” from the edge, at 11" it just doesn’t work" type of thing, as you get closer to the anchor points, it will work less well, but in a curve that will depend on how well the sled slides on your material and how sharp your bit is. David Lang ---
**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:** [February 16, 2024, 8:08pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/question-about-the-m4-frame/19824/20 "2024-02-16T20:08:34Z")
> [@dlang](#): > > Bar was planning to do some testing > with it wildly out of square to demonstrate this. The floor anchors that we have at AltSpace (the maker space) are at least 12" out of square in some directions and it hasn’t caused any issues at all. [Next page](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/question-about-the-m4-frame/19824.md?page=2)