Has anyone had or know of issues with having your CNC in an unconditioned garage? I live in Va and would like to put it in my garage but right now it is not conditioned.
Hey Tony,
this mainly depends on air humidity. A high air humidity can make rust appear on parts made of steel and that are not oiled. The hollow shafts on the rails are chrome-plated, but rust can appear on regions that are not chrome-plated.
Also sudden temperature changes (that you know from bringing a digital photo camera from the cold into a warm house and it suddenly ceases to work) can make that air humidity condenses into liquid water on the cold parts. This could also happen to the electronics in the CNC controller.
Big temperature changes (like from switching a powerful electric heater on or off) may also be the cause of play in mechanical parts, the more, the longer they are (ball screw end nuts may need to be adjusted), but can also lead to grub screws on the ball screw/stepper couplers becoming loose. Already receiving the machine via a travel through the cold into a warm workshop makes it necessary to re-check the grub screws of the couplers and the ball screw end nut a certain time after assembly of the machine. Steel has a high coefficient of thermal expansion.
I have no experience with how the Onefinity machine will behave on temperature and air humidity changes, but in general the best for a machine is a constant temperature and dry air environment. I would at least check the air humidity by equipping the workshop with a hygrometer and if necessary install a device that reduces air humidity. A hygrometer should be standard anyway where you store wood.
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Im just south of you and likely slightly more humid in NC. My garage is insulated but otherwise not temp or humidity controlled. No issues for three years now.
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I keep my machine in a garage with little to no insulation, so the biggest variance is temperature changes. The Interesting thing I have noticed is that the bolts on the gantry’s loosen up within a couple weeks, so Had to Lock-tight them and I have issues with the Z Axis Stall-Homing and every so often have to keep adjusting the Stall-Current on the Z Motor to keep it working correctly, otherwise it seems to be doing ok.
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I am in VA and keep mine in an uninsulated, cinder block garage attached to the house (top and one wall attached with three exposed walls.)
I run a dehumidifier all year to keep my wood in good shape, set point 55%. When I use my 1F, I use an portable oil heater in the winter and a portable AC in the summer. When not actively in the shop, it sits at ambient of high 30s to high 90s. No problem storing at the temps (had it 2 1/2 year iirc). Running, I keep it 50-80F for me as much as the machine. Well, 80F is a bit much for me but the 1F and spindle put out a bit of heat which fights the AC and VA summer😉
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So my machine is in the garage, no condition and I’m in Chicago. Brought the masso in when it was getting below 15 degrees just to be safe and have had no issues. Humidity fluctuates quite a bit but haven’t noticed any rust, I also lube it up with silicone lubricant every so often, not sure if that’s the best or not but seems to do trick.
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Thanks for the detailed explaination.
Good to hear. Thanks Tony
Something to keep in mind. Thanks
I am thinking about adding a split unit to help keep the humidity down.
We don’t get that cold here very often so I think my biggest concern will be humidity. Thanks
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Hey Tony,
I live in Chattanooga TN. Elite Woodworker is in my garage as well. I have only had it since the first of February but it went through the coldest days and snow we had here. I keep the door closed during any rain/snow, but did not have any issues at all. I dont expect any issues during the summer when it is in the 100s with the 99% humidity, other than me heat stroking out!! 
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No issues so far, in an uncontrolled garage in humid south Texas. I am thinking about putting the controller in an enclosure next to my machine. I can add space for a damp-rid or something else to keep the humidity low. Really, I just want to move the controller because I don’t think the arm is long enough and the controller gets pushed to the side by the spindle at 0,0.
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Sounds good and like I shouldn’t have any issues.
I live on a sandbar. commonly known as Florida, six miles from the gulf, and 2 miles from the bay. I don’t know if you can get more humid in the U.S. than here. I worry more about the mosquitos that suck (literally) morning, noon and night. Seriously, my CNC is also in the garage and I haven’t noted any serious issues yet. Keep it oiled and clean is all I can recommend. Check screws etc, as they can rust. It’s not the best of environments, but garages are all most of us have.
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Willamette Valley, in oregon.
Just a normal non-insulated garage, not to humid, not too dry.
from freezing rain to sweltering hot ive never had an issue
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Hey Tony, I’m way north of you ( Ottawa, Ontario) and have my machine in an uninsulated cement block garage. I just keep a 100 W bulb on in the enclosure during the winter. Two years and a bit so far no problems. I do however, take my laser into my home for the cold months.
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Where at in the Willamette Valley?
Keizer,
ten characters
I’m in South Florida, my machine is in my garage and you can imagine how humid and hot it gets. No issues to report.