What is the maximum Z height that can be achieved?

[nick]

I have a PRS 48 x 96 x 6 setup. Currently I machine a 4" piece of foam with a 4" long tool. Sitting 1" up from material at home, I have 1/2" of Z travel before I hit the stop.
If I buy the 12" Z kit and the 6" rail extensions...what is the maxium Z height (approx) from the collet?
Thanks

[Gary Campbell]

Nick...
Approximately 6" more than you now have.
Gary

[myxpykalix]

Does the design of the PRS not allow you to alter your table in any way? If so it would seem cheaper to create a lower "bay" in your table like this. I can go 4-5" below my table height

9032

[gabriel_mckeagney]

It is normal to almost match cutter length with material height, but there is a way to stretch the height of the material option. I have had great recent success with a shorter bit and a thicker than normal glue up to max out my usable z height!

This worked out beautifully in this example, as first of all I did not need to machien the top so I was able to fool the z to carve from a lower height than the top of the material.
It took a lot of experience to begin to think like this, but I did not want to have to deal with a joint here and wanted to get the bell all machined in one hit. It was close!.......but it worked. See how short the bit is!

9033
Gabriel