Installing my new 4hp spindle - Any old pros have advice?

[jeffery]

Getting my new spindle today....:D I will be replacing my PC router. If anyone has done this before and has any words of wisdom I would love to hear from you!

I have not done much tinkering with my Bot before. I bought it used and it was already setup..... I have used it with great success for the last 5 yrs. now for the upgrade!

I also bought the pneumatic drill that Rob had for sale on the forum. It will be next weeks project.:D:D

[curtiss]

I understand they are so quiet you have to remeber to TURN THEM OFF before changing a bit.

[Brady Watson]

Make sure the AL mounting plate to spindle body is parallel to one another. Pop the tail out of your digital calipers to check this @ top & bottom of plate to one side of spindle body extrusion.

Then when you mount it, use a square against flat spoilboard surface to side of spindle body to get it square.

If running a PRS, remove the 3/16" allen screw at the very top of the Z gear rack, so that you can pull the Z all the way down. Wedge a piece of wood or something soft between the Z bar and pinion gear to keep in place while you mount the spindle. The nose of the spindle will have to hang off the edge of your table in order to get it on.

-B

[rb99]

I understand they are so quiet you have to remeber to TURN THEM OFF before changing a bit.

Some people will put a bit of paint on the spindle so you can better see if it is on or not.

[jeffery]

Thanks guys! Good advice and I will use it. Installation update: on hold. :(. ShopBot sent the wrong parts with the spindle. I have a PRT and they sent parts for a PRS. More later.

[jerry_stanek]

I have flashing lights when the spindle is running

[Ajcoholic]

I have a 4 HP HSD spindle.... they arent "that" quiet....:rolleyes:

You are going to love it! :D

[steve_g]

"They aren't "that" quiet..."

They are after years of the PC router...

SG

[davidp]

Jeff,

We installed a 5 hp HSD Spindle with ATC on to our PRT a couple of years ago. We also had to replace the Z Slide as well. There are a few gotcha's in the installation the main one being the position of the Z Slide depends upon your dust extraction. We had to move the Z as far to the rear of the Y car as possible to allow clearance of the dust extraction. This then meant we had to move the table slightly to allow for full coverage of the cutting area.

While we where at it we also replaced the X and Y rails with hardened BWC rails and fitted new V Rollers all round. Along with a few other modifications such as new 7.2:1 steppers, fixed ZZero plate, new vacuum plenum our old PRT is as good as new.

David

[jeffery]

@ David, Man you really upgraded your PRT... I would love to get any of the purchase info you may still have on the new rails and the fitted new V Rollers. I know my time is coming on that fix. Thanks for the heads up on the dust extractor / z location issue. I will look at that as I start the change over.

As to the debate over how quiet the spindle will be... I bet it will seem silent after using the PC router for 5 years!:eek:

Installation update: Scott at ShopBot has been a big help getting me back on track after the parts problem with the first delivery. He has everything I need being "Next-day" shipped. So, I will have the right stuff tomorrow afternoon!:D:D Thanks Scott.

[jeffery]

Thanks to all that helped get it installed and running! Let's go make something! Fishing Rod Racks.....:eek: gotta pay for it somehow!

[jeffery]

Here is a prototype I working on for a rod mfg'er...

[Brian Harnett]

Years back I switched to a Milwaukee router I still think that was an upgrade.

One of these days I may get a spindle.