[stk2008]

Hi all im having probs with me cnc machine its missing steps again and the X axis trapziodel spindle is whipping a little now.

its very very cold in my garage at the mo so im hoping to put a small heater in there im looking at this as i want it to be very cheap to run and keep it on 24/7 over the cold spell.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...NEL+HEATER.htm

whats your thoughts on this please ?.

cheers

[Oldmanandhistoy]

Hi,

IMHO the heater would be a poor choice especially running 24/7. If you need to use electric then I would suggest a small fan heater used only while you’re in there. That way you mostly heat the air to keep you warm.
I doubt the temperature is anything to do with the problems you’re having with your machine. Sounds to me you’ve got a twist in your nut ;o) is this your X axes that has the problems?

John

[stk2008]

hi thanks for the reply.

no its me x and z axis thing is before the cold weather its ran fine so im very sure its the cold weather as in the summer i had no problems at all and nothing has changed apart from the temp.

[Oldmanandhistoy]

How cold has it been in your garage?

What type of screws and nuts are you using?

[stk2008]

i dont have a temp gauge but i will get one i know its bloody cold tbh i can feel it in the bed of the machine (its all ally 1m long x 0.8m wide) and its very very cold.

im an engineer and the machines at work have to be kept at a correct temp so do the jobs or you get a false reading so to speak.

[Oldmanandhistoy]

I was wondering if you were using homemade Delrin/Acetel nuts which may have shrunk but if you’re an engineer then I am sure you can work out the problem.
As for temperature effects on your work, as it’s a router and X is only 1m long then I wouldn’t have thought it would have been a problem?

[CarveOne]

It may be the grease in the bearings getting thick at low temperatures. Try warming the bearings with a hair dryer. Metal parts will contract at low temperatures. If there are differences in the metals, shrink rate may not be the same and close fitting parts may bind. Try warming the metal parts that may have problems with shrinkage. Once you find the parts that are affected by cold weather you may be able to make some adjustments to compensate.

CarveOne

[stk2008]

im using trapzoidel spindles and nuts i realy cant see any other reason for it tbh its been ok in the warmer weather.

i will get a cheap temp gauge tomorrow if i aint snowed in :P

edit

hi carveone i was told the brass nuts will/could contract onto the spindles so that might not help but it all most seems the spindles have shrunk more and is looser fit in the nut as it whips a little now causing resonance and then a stall.

[ger21]

My machine doesn't run very well when it's near freezing either. Fortunately, I have a furnace which will warm up the room (and machine) in less than an hour. Unfortunately, I can't afford to run it 24/7.

[stk2008]

hi ger21 cheers all so for your input you have helped me allot in the past.

yes i realy do need to get a heater in there but it will need to stay on 24/7 .

its a coverted garage i have used insulation on the roof the vapor barrier then plaster board but me money ran out so the walls are just painted but i have done a little to the garage door well i mean im going to when i can bad back

[ger21]

If you have to run it 24/7, then you'll spend more on heating bills then the cost of insulation. My garage is insulated pretty well, but it's still very expensive to heat. I use one of these.
https://www.rezspec.com/catalog-udap.html

[stk2008]

ummm true ok i suppose i could do what you do and thats get a big ass heater and put it on 1hr befor i go out i suppose but i thought if i keep having it on off on off theres more of a chance of moisture build up in there?.

[ger21]

I don't get any moisture build up, but it's dry here in the winter.

[Oldmanandhistoy]

How about building a full enclose and pre heating the machine before you use it? After that the stepper motors (unless you have servos) will keep the temperature up.

[Oldmanandhistoy]

ummm true ok i suppose i could do what you do and thats get a big ass heater and put it on 1hr befor i go out i suppose but i thought if i keep having it on off on off theres more of a chance of moisture build up in there?.

Moisture will not be a problem unless you keep exchanging the air or you are using an open flame (paraffin heaters produce a lot of moisture while burning).

In fact if you exchange air that is very cold it will only get dryer in there.

[M250cnc]

Hi in the summer i insulated my brick walls with battens 2" rockwool bats and lined the walls with T&G chipboard flooring.

The flooring so fixing things to the walls is a breeze.

For heating i use a Delonghi oil filled radiator with climate control i have it set at 14'

Now it is warm in the winter cool & in the summer (not 50')

Another thing to remember in an unheated shop is the formation of rust happens much faster.

[stk2008]

hi every one well im trying to insulate me garage door as and when i can that should help a lot.

[hemsworthlad]

Hi Stk,

I'm fellin it here in yorkshire with ya mate, My workshop was -3 yesterday.

I wrap my machines over night with big fleacey removal blankets when it,s really cold, it helps a little to keep the cold and damp air of the machine.

You really need to heat the garage for a good few hours before workin or using machine/s, a good elecy fan heater pointed straight at machine will help speed things up a little but still needs a few hours before things loosen up nice.
A word of caution when working in really cold workshops, speaking from experience now with losing part of my finger end on a surface planer.

NEVER OPERATE freezing cold machines, they become both sticky and slippy and bite. . . . . The only plus when this happens is that your hands are so numb that you dont feel the pain for 10 mins or so. . Lol

[Oldmanandhistoy]

A word of caution when working in really cold workshops, speaking from experience now with losing part of my finger end on a surface planer.

Now if only you had set the guards up properly it would never have happened. If you’re talking surface planner for wood then the last I heard it was the most likely wood machine to have an accident on. Personally I put my fingers through a spindle moulder, stop rebating without a stop but luckily just lost some flesh so I have no room to talk.

It’s a real pain working in low temperatures and you have to consider the long term effects on though joints to.

John

[dertsap]

is the machine getting cold the problem or is it the electronics that is the problem ?
it doesn't get cold enough here for it to be a problem for me but it is damp .

can these be of use http://www.autotrucktoys.com/hummer/...gm10952544.jpg
http://www.carparts.com/BLANKET-STYL...=10618-2006128

if you draped a tarp over the machine with 1 or 2 of these thrown in strategically then the temp should be held somewhat stable