first broken bit

[sokwanho]

new shopbot owner here. last night i was trying to cut a 3d piece. All the setup was fine, did air-cutting to double check the path. The first toolpath went smoothly. However, after i changed bit for the second toolpath, i forgot to switch the spindle back on! so bascially, the bit was dragged across the wood for a min or two before i heard the bit broke. Was wearing earmuff so couldn't even tell the bit was dragging for so long...anyway...hope the spindle isn't misaligned by this and just wanna share my experience and hope no one will make such a careless mistake like i did....

[Brady Watson]

Congratulations!

New users and even seasoned ones do this all the time. For your personal safety, set some rules for yourself when running the tool:

1) Never operate the tool when you are tired.

2) Never operate the tool when you have been drinking alcohol, et al.

3 Never operate the tool when you haven't eaten a meal or are hungry.

-B

[bleeth]

I know for a fact that Brady violates these rules.

1. Between building the new barn, helping other botters, and running his own biz he's always tired.
2. Can't guarentee it, but I suspect he's stood around with a cold one watching the machine go!
3. I've seen this guy eat-I think he's always hungry!
:D:D:D

Seriously, I'll add another rule to Brady's 3 excellent ones since you indicated a spindle.

4. Always use your eyes to ensure spindle is off when you want it to be. The quietness of a running spindle has resulted in plenty of hand accidents.

[knight_toolworks]

Congratulations!

New users and even seasoned ones do this all the time. For your personal safety, set some rules for yourself when running the tool:

1) Never operate the tool when you are tired.

2) Never operate the tool when you have been drinking alcohol, et al.

3 Never operate the tool when you haven't eaten a meal or are hungry.

-B

except for the drinking part When can I run the machine?? (G)

[curtiss]

Is there a way to place a "running light" on the spindle as they are so quiet ? An amp meter wired in would be nice as it would show how hard the router is working.

I have my PC router set on "scream" most of the time which solves the problem of trying to change bits with it still in operation.

Other bit probelms.... forgeting to put the bit in.. forgetting to tighten the collet... forgetting to zero the bit, forgetting to take off the z clip... starting a 1/2 inch bit file with an 1/8 inch bit loaded...

clamping the material 90 degrees the wrong way...

[Brady Watson]

Is there a way to place a "running light" on the spindle as they are so quiet ?

I'm pretty sure Gary has done this...Dr Campbell ?


I know for a fact that Brady violates these rules.

1. Between building the new barn, helping other botters, and running his own biz he's always tired.
2. Can't guarentee it, but I suspect he's stood around with a cold one watching the machine go!
3. I've seen this guy eat-I think he's always hungry!


Ak-chually...I can count the number of times I've consumed any sort of drankin' liquor in the past year on one hand. Once you go tank, (http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=997&highlight=samadhi) you rarely go drank! :D

Yes...there are different levels of tired. Luckily the baby monitor lets me take a nap while the bot carves those long-burning 3D reliefs. Longest to date is 170 hrs carve time.

Yep...Robots do my work, son. Robots. :D

-B

[Gary Campbell]

Curtis...
A number have done this. Takes a relay circuit (Paco and others have posted the radio shack versions) ShopBot sells a plug and play version that handles 5 channels with jumper channel assignment.

Some, myself included, have installed a spindle on light. Wired to come on with Output 1

Others, mostly in education, have hooked a flashing strobe to Output 4 that flashes when the machine is moving or a partsfile is open and a move is imminent.

You can have it as safe as you want it.

[chiloquinruss]

I have a baggy in the top drawer of my tool chest next to da' bot. In this baggy I place my broken bits. When someone asks about the machine I explain all it takes is 'Experience', I then walk over to the tool chest and show them my baggy full of 'Experience'! :) :) :) Russ

[knight_toolworks]

I have a baggy in the top drawer of my tool chest next to da' bot. In this baggy I place my broken bits. When someone asks about the machine I explain all it takes is 'Experience', I then walk over to the tool chest and show them my baggy full of 'Experience'! :) :) :) Russ
they don't make a baggie large enough for me.

[gc3]

it can be made as Phd, push here dummy, as you want but it's still run by the 4 lobes...

[fozzyber]

I have a small box I keep my "Experience" in.

not zeroing the z,: guilty
running the bot tired : guilty
placing the work 90 out : guilty
confusing x for y on a move, guilty
confusing x or y for z on a move, guilty
putting the wrong bit in the router: guilty
dropping a decimal point on a mz-.25": guilty
doing a zz instead of a c2 : guilty

yep lots of "Experience" here

[sokwanho]

thx everyone for all the tips! Do you leave the guard/dust skirt on? i am using the desktop model, and with the guard/skirt on, i basically have no visibility whatsoever to observe what's going on. I can't tell if the bit is bogging down, burning or what not. Is there a better way to do this? a guard/skirt with better visibility?

[adrianm]

I find it's easier to judge how a bit is cutting by the sound it makes. With the brush type guard I have there's no choice as it completely blocks the view.

Someone here once told me to that a screaming bit is hungry for material so up the feed rate or slow the RPM's.

[Gary Campbell]

Looks like lots of EXPERIENCE here. We are similar, I could be the poster child for the "broken bits" movement.

GOOD JUDGEMENT comes as a result of EXPERIENCE.

EXPERIENCE comes as a result of BAD JUDGEMENT

[jimboy]

Stephen,
Welcome to the club. We all do dumb things---procedures-procedures-procedures do help.
Been there done that.

[myxpykalix]

in my case the only time i use dust collection is when cutting mdf, otherwise i let the chips fly as i would rather be able to see what is going on.

i have to say in 5 years ive only broken 1 bit:eek:

[knight_toolworks]

in my case the only time i use dust collection is when cutting mdf, otherwise i let the chips fly as i would rather be able to see what is going on.

i have to say in 5 years ive only broken 1 bit:eek:
You aint gettign enough work done then (G) your taking it way too slow. come on grandpa crank the speed up and get some bits flying.

[gus]

Like my Dad told me years ago, "You never learn a valuable lesson that don't cost you something". Over the years I have invested a fair amount of money in my education. Not to mention some hide, hair and a bit of bone. They say what ever does not kill you makes you stronger. That may or may not be true but I do know at my age that you sure feel it when the weather is just right.

My best advise is to always watch your machine after all it is being run by a computer using a file generated by a computer program with information input by a person. All of them have been known to do silly things. I know I have and in front of a audience. :rolleyes:

[shoeshine]

Amen Steve,
...and Jack? one broken bit? really?

Damn, I have only had my bot for going on 2yrs now and I've tossed more bits than I currently own. But then again I've tried cutting everything from bubble wrap to felt, brass to marble. (with varying levels of success) But by all the powers, I've learned a lot.

The cost of trying to get creative.

keep on going
Chris

[myxpykalix]

yes chris only 1 bit, however keep in mind i don't use my bot on a daily basis and for all different types of materials lke you so i guess you could put a * next to the stat to qualify it:)

plus ive never been in a hurry to cut anything so i go slow enuff to catch problems before they happen:D

i'm still in awe of your hatch door keep the cool stuff coming:cool:

[dhunt]

New users and even seasoned ones do this all the time.
For your personal safety, set some rules for yourself when running the tool:

1) Never operate the tool when you are tired.

2) Never operate the tool when you have been drinking alcohol, et al.

3 Never operate the tool when you haven't eaten a meal or are hungry.
"Brain Fade" occurs anytime around 2 p.m. -that's when I make silly mistakes: between about 1:30 and 3:00
After that I seem to catch a second wind or sumthin, but there's nothing like working with a fresh brain from 9-noon.
Be careful.
.

[sokwanho]

thank you everyone for all the tips!!! think i'll put up a protocol sheet on the wall to remind myself...