Upgraded BB to Redline this weekend

Elite Series (Masso & Redline) (Gen 1)
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(I don’t know if this the right Category, so please move if there is a better place)

I upgraded my BB to Redline this weekend and thought I’d leave a couple of notes from my upgrade.

The video on YT is great and is much better than printed instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jx-8gy1nHs

Here are my notes:

  1. The instructions assume you don’t have a drag chain, but my Woodworker Pro came with one. There are many instructions related to installing a raceway, but my system already had the parts. A comment at the beginning of the video that explains this would be nice. It was confusing at first, as didn’t realize it was having me install parts I already had. 1F knew my system had a raceway, as they didn’t include a raceway in the kit. However, they shipped me all the parts to add the raceway, which I’ll ship back with my motors.
  2. In the video, the couplers are already attached to the stepper motors. However, they were not attached to mine. There is a little bit of trial and error when attaching the couplers to the motors, as they need to be in the right spot so the tightening screws are accessible from the small holes.
  3. The Z2 plug had too much glue (?) around the wires to fit in the Z2 clip mount. I had to use a razor to shave off the glue to close the clip. I didn’t have this issue with the Z1 X1 clip, though it was also a tight squeeze.
  4. The X drag chain connector has changed between the original and the connector that ships with the kit. The video still has the old one. I kept the old one just in case I need to switch back.
  5. I think many users doing the upgrade will be spindle users, so a note or two about running the spindle cables would be nice, something like “before installing the X axis raceway, install your spindle cable with approx. 20 inches of the cable beyond the end of the raceway.”

So far, so good. The new system makes a lot more noises (weird humming/whining that starts and stops when it isn’t doing anything) and getting the joypad to sync is a pain. Of course, there will be a learning curve to get used to navigating the Redline controller - I was getting pretty nimble with the BB. The Redline has some nice wizards, but I think the multi-page confirmations for doing stuff will be a bit slower.

Again, the primary point of this post is to say the video instructions were great and made the upgrade pretty painless.

BTW - I REALLY wish they had an upgrade/conversion kit to change the mobile cart to the reinforced legs. I’m never moving this thing, and with the new motors and speed of the Redline controller the table shakes quite a bit!

Good luck to everyone who upgrades!

Roger

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I have a question about something mentioned in the upgrade video. When covering installing the monitor mount, the video says to use the longer bolts one the right side, which is important for homing: https://youtu.be/7Jx-8gy1nHs?t=690

Nothing is ever attached to the longer bolts (or I missed it). Is something supposed to be put on the end of these two bolts?

Thanks.

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The long bolts on my upgrade go on the left side. The video shows nuts on the end of the long bolt but I found that the raceway bracket mounting holes are threaded and there is no nut on that side top & bottom - as shown in the attached photo.

I think there may have been a few minor engineering tweaks along the way that didn’t make it to the video.

image
image1920×1478 382 KB

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Thanks, Tom. I followed his video with the shorter bolts on the left and they worked correctly with the Z1 X1 connector and the threaded end bracket. He specifically calls out using the longer bolts on the right to support some type of homing process.

Thanks again for your detailed description, but the issue is on the right side of the Y rail.

Roger

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The kit I received had 4 short bolts and all were too short. I had to contact customer service to send the correct bolts, which they shipped 2 day delivery.

TJP

tpeter52@gmail.com

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They proactively shipped me the four bolts, maybe because of your experience.

My Woodworker Pro already had drag chains, so I had many leftover bolts. Did your system need the drag chains?

I can’t say I’m thrilled with the Redline controller. I’ve had the touchscreen stop working yesterday and today, and doing a tool-setting operation caused the bit to slam down onto the tool setter at high speed. Not sure what I did in that instance to cause it to misbehave. I’m sure it was pilot error. File management and remote access with the BB were much better. I’m sure it will improve over time.

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I had 3rd party drag chains on my BB machine. The RL kit came with drag chains that actually integrated better than what I had, so I went that route.

I agree with your assessment of the remote interface. File management could stand a lot of TLC. The whole remote screen is just plain ugly and littered with a lot of useless information.

Tjp

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