X-Carve CNC Router
The X-Carve has a maximum cutting area of 750mm x 750mm x 65mm, assuming no waste board above the stock one. We strongly encourage using a waste board (1/8" or 1/4" plywood is good) on top of the current base board! The router is a Dewalt DWP611. It also has a 1/2" to 1/4" adapter for bits.
Contents
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Safety
Important safety information.
- DONT BREAK THE Z AXIS If you tell the X-Carve to travel too high, the Z-Axis homing switch will break the (fragile, plastic) Z homing switch. Ask for help if you are not sure.
- Wear Safety Glasses
- Turn on the air filter when cutting
- Breathing masks are available and encouraged
Getting Started
- Start the computer and login to Easel (You will need to create an account if you do not have one, see: http://easel.inventables.com/users/sign_in).
- Adjust the size of the board you will use by clicking on the board size.
- Put down a waste board under your work and clamp it in a way that the bit will not hit the clamps.
- Import your SVG file into Easel.
- Adjust the depths of the areas you will cut or pocket.
- The bit most commonly used is 3mm or 1/8" (Use calipers to check if dimensions are critical).
- The recommended settings take a long time. If your are feeling adventurous try the following settings. If you see missed steps slow down towards the recommended settings.
- Feed Rate: 100in/min
- Plunge Rate 40in/min
- Depth per Pass: 0.1in
- Fill Method: Pro and Spiral
- Click Carve and walk through the screens.
- When moving, be extremely careful about the units for movement. 1 inch in the z is a lot and it is easy to break bits by jamming the router into the board, even if you've witnessed this mistake!
- The origin should be the lower left hand corner. The home position is on the top of the work.
- Again make sure the clamps will not be hit. The safety height can be adjusted in the advanced settings - this is how high the bit will go between cutting different areas.
Materials
Any type of wood or plastic. Aluminum is possible but must be cut slowly and lubricated during the cut (WD-40 works).
Power and Cutting Speeds
For wood you can start with:
- Feed Rate: 100in/min
- Plunge Rate 40in/min
- Depth per Pass: 0.1in
Slow down if you see missed steps, mis-aligned passes, etc.
Tips and Tricks
- To change the bit in the router see this youTube video.
- The router should be set on speed setting "1" for best results.
- The depth per pass should not be > 50→100% of the bit diameter.
- If the bit is shaking or the work squealing, slow it down a bit.
- If the router fails to turn on, or is erratic, the brushes probably need changing. It is a Dewalt DWP611.
- For tips on engraving brass and similar metals, check out this video.
- Feeds and Speeds - in case you need to override X-Carve defaults
- Overview of milling bit types
- Learn CNC Basics: 2020 Easy Guide
- CNC Routers: Backlash
- To reduce splintering and tearout, see this guide
| Owner | Fox.Build |
| Manufacturer |
Inventables |
| Model | X-Carve |
| Serial # | N/A |
| Product Website |
Inventables |
| Instructions | This listing and Inventables |
| Replacement Cost |
$2,299 |
| Size/Volume | 750mm x 750mm x 55mm |