Single or double clamp for cnc spindle?

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kristenanne77
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Single or double clamp for cnc spindle?

Post by kristenanne77 »

20201010_090051.jpg
Using my Shapeoko 2, the upper clamp blocks my Makita spindle from "adjusting downward" so I have to raise up the bed "extra height" for many pieces of wood so it will contact the spindle bit. (espcially if its a small length bit). If i remove the upper clamp and use only the lower clamp, I would have much more z axis movement in the downward direction. If I use only the lower spindle clamp, how would it affect the rigidity of the spindle and consequently the cut from the spindle bit? And if the lower clamp is not good enough, is there a way to "beef it up"?

Thanks
K

GEdward
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Re: Single or double clamp for cnc spindle?

Post by GEdward »

Using only one clamp will definitely affect stability. It will also put significantly more stress on your router's housing. You might get by with it if you are using small tooling with light cuts on softer materials but if it fails it will likely be catastrophic. There are three solutions in my humble opinion. The first is what you are already doing; use a thick spoil board for your low profile projects. The second would be to replace your Makita with a different model router that has a more suitable profile for your machine. Fourth; replace the router with a spindle. Granted, the spindle option is not the cheapest, but the advantages are huge IMHO. A fourth solution would be to use longer tooling; although that is not always practical.

Ed

kristenanne77
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Re: Single or double clamp for cnc spindle?

Post by kristenanne77 »

Thanks Ed. I kind of figured that.
Makes a lot of sense.
Personally I would want both clamps anyway.

K

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TReischl
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Re: Single or double clamp for cnc spindle?

Post by TReischl »

There is a simple rule for this sort of thing:

The length of engagement should be at least 1.5 X the diameter. That goes for all sorts of things, screws, dowels, spindle mounts, etc.
"If you see a good fight, get in it." Dr. Vernon Johns

ElevationCreations
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Re: Single or double clamp for cnc spindle?

Post by ElevationCreations »

Have you considered changing the router mount to one of Carbide 3D's new mounts or one from Openbuilds or Inventables?

Not sure I understand why the second mount is limiting the Z Depth travel.

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gkas
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Re: Single or double clamp for cnc spindle?

Post by gkas »

ElevationCreations wrote:
Mon Oct 12, 2020 3:17 am
Not sure I understand why the second mount is limiting the Z Depth travel.
He can't slide his router downward any further in this mount.

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