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The Makerslide as used in the Shapeoko is definitely not designed for anything other than light loads. It's only aluminium with plastic wheels.

Dougal,
Great timing on your update, I've just rebuilt my X2 mill after a move and a break and one thing I wanted to do was to add a column support so spent some time going through this thread last...

Any brand laptop is considered a bad idea as a controller for Mach 3.
Timing issues with power control and the voltage on parallel ports are two problems that have been reported.

A 6040 won't cut steel and it's very slow in cutting aluminium.
My X2 will handle both without complaint - not CNC yet though.

Lots of photos of the assembly/setup process please!

So what did you have to change to fix it?

I have a slightly larger machine (6040) and soon gave up trying to make the provided controller work and fitted a G540.
The only problems I have now are mechanical - not a well put together machine...

It can be a bit hit and miss when choosing a vendor for the 3020 (or 6040) machines from the numerous eBay offers.
One non eBay vendor that seems to have good feedback is carving-cnc.
I'm not a...

You might get more interest if: you post in English :)

Good to see some open source CNC stuff I can use on Linux.
As soon as I re-assemble my CNC router (too cold in the shed) , I'll try these out.

google translate was helpful :)

Check that you don't have any software running on the PC that doesn't need to be there.
I had a similar issue that turned out to be an anti-virus package. Removing it fixed the problem.

The cabinet looks great, very professional.
Is the CNC of the mill from a kit or is it DIY?

Links or we don't know what you're talking about!

On my X2 they're definitely not surface ground, looks more like someone used a file on them.
Fixing this is on the to do list along with new gib strips.

Don't think so. If the second line on the label is the input voltage, it clearly says 3 phase 220V

I got these collets for my 6040. A bit cheaper.

An LCR meter would be easiest but here's a simple way that doesn't need a scope. I can't vouch for its accuracy.

Here's how to do it using an oscilloscope.

Is the stepping/jogging stable when the VFD is not power on? Given the amount of noise these VFD's put out, I'd be surprised to get a reliable wireless connection operating so close to one.

We...

The Chinese suppliers are getting better at packing their products, mine had lots of foam but the plywood is a good idea. Now they just need to get rid of the water pump and replace it with an...

Are the schematics, source code etc.available yet?

Is that a speed of 400 or 4000rpm? Either way, it's too low.
Try it at a much higher speed i.e. 18000rpm

Seems a little extreme to pull all your web content because of a supply problem.

I based my comment on the fact that I have one of these and the controller was crap from day one. One axis driver was DOA and the others were barely able to drive the steppers, certainly not at any...

As long as by 'work properly' you mean replacing the controller with something like a Gecko G540. :)

There's no need to connect the common (negative) rail of the power supplies to the chassis. It won;t fry anything but it's not required.

For a good wiring layout, refer to the attached from Homann...

You might want to take a look at the Ord Bot Hadron.
I'm in the process of building one of these

Looks good, I'll keep an eye on this build.

You mention 5mm 100 x 50 rectagular hollow section. Was this a stocked/standard item? I can only find this to 3mm here.

8020 is available in Australia - 80/20 Australia Pty Ltd. It's not cheap though!
Similar, possibly cheaper products from:

Australis
RoboUnits
AME

OK, didn't realise that they had multiple 570 oz/in motors.