I recently upgraded from a standard Machinist to a Woodworker 32" X-axis with a Stiffy rail. OF sold me the parts to modify my QCW to the new configuration. After reviewing the OF assembly video, I tried to stand it up on the two plastic kickstands I got with the QCW to screw down the wasteboard. The machine wouldn’t stay stable when tipped up on the kickstands and balanced on the “Y” stepper motors per the video. I thought the new, heavier X-axis was overbalancing it, so I pulled it forward to midway, only to find that it slid to the back while tipping the machine back.
If I raise the kickstands 1-3/4 inches by putting them on a 2x4, the machine will balance properly (barely) when tipped back, but the kickstands won’t go under the back QCW rail as easily. I’m wondering if anyone has had the same problem and found a better way.
SOLUTION: The problem was caused by the unique machine configuration, 32 x
16 with a “Stiffy” rail. Because the machine is short in the Y-axis and tall in the Z-axis, it was overbalanced and wanted to tilt backwards when raised to the vertical, causing the back QCW rail to lift out of the kickstands. The machine was then resting on the Y stepper motors and the back of the X carriage, crimping the curly cord.
Here’s a picture of the tool I made from scrap MDF to fix the problem. When the machine is tipped forward after inserting the kickstands, the bottom X- carriage rail fits in the notch, tipping the machine forward as in the video, and leaving the back QCW rail in the kickstands.
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