The Experience of Building and Using the X-Carve CNC Machine

When I first started building my X-Carve CNC machine, I was excited to see how hard it would be to actually use this machine and whether it was worth the money. To begin with, I unpacked the contents of the boxes. The smaller package contained blank PCBs, drilling and milling bits, and a couple of different test materials. While nothing too important for now, these items were essential for testing and verifying my work. On the other hand, the bigger package contained all the necessary components to build the CNC machine, including a tool kit that did a decent job for its price. The packaging was excellent, with no damages or issues whatsoever.

Once I was ready to start building, I headed over to the given URL to find the instructions. As expected, every step of the process was explained in detail, using a combination of text and video footage. While this approach helped me understand what I needed to do, there were some minor mistakes mentioned, including inaccuracies with component descriptions that didn't always match the labels. Additionally, the wiring for the limit switches was not thoroughly addressed at the end of the instructions, but these issues were relatively minor compared to other aspects of the build.

The mechanical build of the X-Carve, specifically the x-axis, was quite easy to complete. However, it still took me around six to eight hours to finish completely. The process was more challenging than I had anticipated due to the need to create 16 threads inside the maker slide using threat forming screws. This task required a significant amount of force and lubricant, wasting approximately one hour in the process. Despite this challenge, the final result was worth it – the oval design looked clean and simple.

Another aspect of the X-Carve I appreciated was its wire management system, which featured a drag chain and belting to move the axes around. If only the designers had included some additional considerations, such as improving the location of the power supply and electronics, the machine would have been perfect. However, aside from these minor complaints, my overall experience with building the X-Carve was extremely positive.

One area where I encountered an issue was during the installation of the spindle. According to the instructions, it should be easily inserted into the carriage using a metal spacer. However, when I tried this method, the hole in the carriage was too small, and without the spacer, the spindle wouldn't secure properly. To resolve this problem, I used a screwdriver to temporarily widen the carriage and then inserted the spindle. This workaround allowed me to complete the build, although it did result in the securing screws being too short.

Once the mechanical build was complete, I moved on to installing the electronics. The wire connections at the terminal blocks, Arduino motor shields, and power supply were all fast and easy to do. However, one step required more attention – a connection where three wires needed to be inserted into one hole of a PCB tunnel. In this case, I decided to solder those wires together beforehand and then secure them in the terminal block.

After completing both the mechanical and electrical build phases, I performed some minor calibrations as described in the instructions. With these checks complete, I powered on the system and connected it to my computer using Inventables' web-based application called Easel. This program allowed me to control the X-Carve with ease and provided guidance through each step of the process.

One feature that impressed me about Easel was its ability to make changes to moving direction with a simple click of a button. Additionally, when there were wiring mistakes, I could start creating my own designs from scratch using the software's capabilities. While it would be beneficial to have a manual control feature similar to my 3D printer, which moves the spindle away after completion, Easel did an excellent job explaining everything necessary to ensure that no issues arose during operation.

In conclusion, building and using my X-Carve CNC machine was a valuable experience that allowed me to appreciate its capabilities and features. While there were some minor setbacks and challenges along the way, the overall process was enjoyable and rewarding. I also found the price of the individual components to be slightly higher than if I had purchased them separately, but the comfort, instructions, and well-made software made it worthwhile.

WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: ena few weeks ago I received this huge package from inventables which contained the x-carve a DIY cincy machine which can engrave and mill all kinds of materials but most importantly it can be used to mill copper which could allow me to produce my own PCBs without the need of any chemicals the machine itself can be configured with a variety of different parts depending on what you need or not needs my total price came out to one thousand US dollars and that is certainly a lot of money so in this video I will show you what problems I faced during the builds how hard it is to actually use this machine and whether I think it is worth the money let's get started let's start off with the contents of the boxes the smaller one contained blank PCBs drilling and milling bits and a couple of different test materials so nothing too important for now the bigger package on the other hands contained all of the necessary components to build the CNC machine including a tool kits which does a decent job for its price and of course everything was nicely packaged and had no damages whatsoever once I was ready to build this thing I headed over to the given URL to find the instructions every step it explained very well with a combination of text and video footage but just as you would expected with such a long instruction there are some really minor mistakes this includes that the mentioned component descriptions not always fit with the labels and the wiring for the limit switches was a bit ignored during the end of the instructions but like I said those are all just nitpicks the mechanical boots of the x-carve was quite easy to do but it still took me around six to eight hours to get it done completely but what stood out as annoying weather threat forming screws I wasted around one hour a lot of force and a bit of lubricant to create all the 16 threads inside the maker slide but in the end it was worth it because the oval design looks very clean and simple I also really liked the wire management with a drag chain and the belting to move the axes around and if they would have done something with the location of the power supply and electronics then it would have been perfect now aside from all those compliments for the machine there is one thing which I didn't understand in the instructions you can clearly see it that they easily insert the spindle with the metal spacer into the carriage but when I tried that it wouldn't fit at all the hole is just too small and without the metal spacer it wouldn't get a proper grip even if I tighten the screws to the maximum what I did then is obvious I used the screwdriver and plenty of force to widen the carriage temporarily and inserted the spindle now the securing screws are not long enough anymore but at least the spindle is in place and it also worked this way in the end moving on to the electronics all the wire connections at the terminal blocks at the arduino motor shields and the power supply are fast and easy to do there was just one dumb connection where they wanted me to insert three wires into one hole of a PCB tunnel which is not that easy so I sold out those wires together beforehand and just secured the resulting wire in the terminal it also did involve a bit of soldering and crimping headers so nothing too difficult in my opinion once the mechanical and electrical build was done I did some minor calibrations which were also described in the instructions then I gave the system power and connected it to my computer inventables offers a web-based application called easel to control the x-carve it starts off with a first checkup to find out what hardware we are using and whether all the wiring was done correctly I really like that it's easy to change the moving direction with a click of a button if there were some wiring mistakes afterwards I can start to make my own design with the software and it's also possible to import SVG files to carve a bit more professional designs I also miss a manual control feature like my 3d printer has to move the spindle away when I'm done with muling but aside from that the software does a job just fine and when it is time to carve the design they also take you by the hand and explain everything that is necessary so that absolutely nothing can go wrong my first carve had a good start but needless to say I did not secure it well enough the second curve turned out way better and I'm impressed that it looks that good without any bigger calibrations at the end I can say that the price for the individual components might be slightly more expensive than if you would buy them yourself but the comfort of kids the easily understandable instructions and the well-made software definitely make those expensive even I hope you liked this video stay tuned for my guide on how to make PCBs with this CNC you don't forget to Like share and subscribe stay creative and I will see you next timea few weeks ago I received this huge package from inventables which contained the x-carve a DIY cincy machine which can engrave and mill all kinds of materials but most importantly it can be used to mill copper which could allow me to produce my own PCBs without the need of any chemicals the machine itself can be configured with a variety of different parts depending on what you need or not needs my total price came out to one thousand US dollars and that is certainly a lot of money so in this video I will show you what problems I faced during the builds how hard it is to actually use this machine and whether I think it is worth the money let's get started let's start off with the contents of the boxes the smaller one contained blank PCBs drilling and milling bits and a couple of different test materials so nothing too important for now the bigger package on the other hands contained all of the necessary components to build the CNC machine including a tool kits which does a decent job for its price and of course everything was nicely packaged and had no damages whatsoever once I was ready to build this thing I headed over to the given URL to find the instructions every step it explained very well with a combination of text and video footage but just as you would expected with such a long instruction there are some really minor mistakes this includes that the mentioned component descriptions not always fit with the labels and the wiring for the limit switches was a bit ignored during the end of the instructions but like I said those are all just nitpicks the mechanical boots of the x-carve was quite easy to do but it still took me around six to eight hours to get it done completely but what stood out as annoying weather threat forming screws I wasted around one hour a lot of force and a bit of lubricant to create all the 16 threads inside the maker slide but in the end it was worth it because the oval design looks very clean and simple I also really liked the wire management with a drag chain and the belting to move the axes around and if they would have done something with the location of the power supply and electronics then it would have been perfect now aside from all those compliments for the machine there is one thing which I didn't understand in the instructions you can clearly see it that they easily insert the spindle with the metal spacer into the carriage but when I tried that it wouldn't fit at all the hole is just too small and without the metal spacer it wouldn't get a proper grip even if I tighten the screws to the maximum what I did then is obvious I used the screwdriver and plenty of force to widen the carriage temporarily and inserted the spindle now the securing screws are not long enough anymore but at least the spindle is in place and it also worked this way in the end moving on to the electronics all the wire connections at the terminal blocks at the arduino motor shields and the power supply are fast and easy to do there was just one dumb connection where they wanted me to insert three wires into one hole of a PCB tunnel which is not that easy so I sold out those wires together beforehand and just secured the resulting wire in the terminal it also did involve a bit of soldering and crimping headers so nothing too difficult in my opinion once the mechanical and electrical build was done I did some minor calibrations which were also described in the instructions then I gave the system power and connected it to my computer inventables offers a web-based application called easel to control the x-carve it starts off with a first checkup to find out what hardware we are using and whether all the wiring was done correctly I really like that it's easy to change the moving direction with a click of a button if there were some wiring mistakes afterwards I can start to make my own design with the software and it's also possible to import SVG files to carve a bit more professional designs I also miss a manual control feature like my 3d printer has to move the spindle away when I'm done with muling but aside from that the software does a job just fine and when it is time to carve the design they also take you by the hand and explain everything that is necessary so that absolutely nothing can go wrong my first carve had a good start but needless to say I did not secure it well enough the second curve turned out way better and I'm impressed that it looks that good without any bigger calibrations at the end I can say that the price for the individual components might be slightly more expensive than if you would buy them yourself but the comfort of kids the easily understandable instructions and the well-made software definitely make those expensive even I hope you liked this video stay tuned for my guide on how to make PCBs with this CNC you don't forget to Like share and subscribe stay creative and I will see you next time