This thing makes me wanna save money to buy it for christmas. Seriously, the mere thought of the painstakingly build process of this thing makes me giddy with exitement.
Great job. For the love of Mike why don't they sell one with the option of having most of this already done at the factory. Many of us would pay more for that option. Keep up the great work.
Great video, Jaimie and Jay! I'm still waiting for the final parts and pieces of my X-Carve to arrive before I can start the assembly process. This video make it seem much less daunting. It kinda reminds me of an adult Technics Lego kit. Keep up the good work!
Glad to hear it Tommy. It definitely does build like a grown-up Lego kit. :) Super fun and nothing daunting about it if you know your way around a wrench. Good luck with your build!
X-carve needs a video like this with the normal speed playback. Had to go to Lowe's to get the missing cap screws. I have been assembling since January. Took a two month break to go to therapy. Clearly there has been nothing fun about this process for me. Finally finished today May 29, 2021 and learned that if I want to attached the optional vacuum I need to take some things apart. Guess what is staying in the box. Where was that in the instructions. The router works. Yey. The rest of the machine is a power dud. So now I need to take the x-controller apart to see if I connected something wrong. what would you charge me to come to NC and assemble mine?
What's pretty cool is that they let you opt out of parts to don't want/need. For example I already have a metric crapload of stepper motors, so I saved $80 by leaving them off
Seems like they could put a lot of this stuff together for you. That said, building it yourself gives you intimate knowledge about it's makeup before you ever turn it on and most likely lowers cost for the company (which they hopefully pass along to the consumer).
Yeah I think that is why the cost is so low, relatively speaking, because they outsource most of the assembly to the customer. I have to admit I enjoy having that intimate knowledge of the parts and how it's working because I'm a lot more comfortable using it and not feeling like I might break something. I know if I break a belt or whatever that replacing it is simple so I don't have to tip-toe around projects.
We haven’t tried it yet but what I’ve read is that yes you can. Their software Easel is not capable of generating gcode from a 3D model but you can use a more advanced CAD app to get the gcode from your model and then run it on the xcarve.
J & J. Thanks for this great video - really helpful. Can you help me with a quick question please? At about 4:49 on the video you are showing the placement of a piece that acts as the 'stopper' for the Y-axis sensor. I have the piece and the screw, but don't know how to attach it to the rail. The Inventables instructions don't show the installation of these (there are 2 - Y and X axis). Can you help?
Was just taking a look to see if we could help. Glad you got it sorted out! I remember there were a handful of things not clearly documented as you get towards the end. I think it's because you start to get into territory where depending on which kit you bought things might go together differently. Let us know you have any more questions. Good luck!
You should take a look into Phantom's Lead-Screw Upgrade kit from the Inventables Forums > X-Carve > Upgrades which is sooo much nicer than those belts especially when you're working with more demanding materials and more advanced CAM operations. You might also want to take a look into Fusion 360 ( which can be claimed for free ) and is about the equivalent to Easel what Adobe Photoshop is to Microsoft Paint while still fairly easy to learn due to the abundance of tutorial videos found on UA-cam.
Cool, will do! I use Fusion 360 occasionally for other work but was not aware I could use it in place of Easel. I've seen a handful of other cnc apps that have more advanced functionality that I've been meaning to look into. Thanks for the tips!
For the components that roll on the t tracks are you able to move by hand with not much effort? I think my wheels are too tight. Also the y axis should be able to be hand turned to move up and down? It works when I wrench the top nut. Seems again I have it too tight.
You technically shouldn't move them by hand because it can damage the motors BUT you should be able to, yes. If you can't it's too tight. It's a bit tricky to get right but basically if it feels wobbly it's too lose and if it won't move it's too tight. Sounds like you have the Z-axis too tight as well (moving up and down). Better to err on the side of looser and then tighten as necessary until you get it dialed in, than to go too tight and potentially damage something.
Thanks for the reply! I haven't connected the belts yet. I did loosen up the pulleys and made a lot of difference. Seems the sweet spot is to tighten just enough to eliminate side play on the pulleys. Hopefully I'll finish the install soon and try it out.
Frank... you nailed it. There is nothing easy of fun about assembling this thing. I've been chipping at for weeks now. The instructions by Inventables SUCKS.
Let us know if we can help. Not sure if they’ve changed anything since we did this but as the video shows, we really didn’t run into much trouble at all.
@@WickedMakers yea but they did overnight you what you needed when you needed it and send everything in three neat boxes rather than 20 or 30 packages over a 2 month period.
got a used one so i did not have to put it together, in easil i center some words combine them center on board when it cuts it is not centerd on board how do i fix it
I didn’t like how you didn’t tell me what parts go on what. Like I’m mounting the router and I hear it’s adjustable. I screwed it on. Now it looks like there’s a spacer and I don’t have enough spacers. I have to take off almost everything
Have you reached out to their support? They were quick to reply when we had questions. This was like three years ago so it’s possible the build instructions may have changed quite a bit since then.
Do you mean in Easel or on the spindle itself? In Easel, you can select your bit at the top right (ish) from a list of bits they have preset or you can type in the specs of your bit if it’s not listed. Hope that helps!
This thing makes me wanna save money to buy it for christmas. Seriously, the mere thought of the painstakingly build process of this thing makes me giddy with exitement.
Great job. For the love of Mike why don't they sell one with the option of having most of this already done at the factory. Many of us would pay more for that option. Keep up the great work.
Best video for beginners.
Glad to hear that! 🤘🏼😁
Thanks so much for this video- I just received my X-Carve today and can't wait to assemble it. Your tips are (will be) very helpful!
Awesome! 🤘🏼😄 It’s a super fun machine. Enjoy!
Great video, Jaimie and Jay! I'm still waiting for the final parts and pieces of my X-Carve to arrive before I can start the assembly process. This video make it seem much less daunting. It kinda reminds me of an adult Technics Lego kit. Keep up the good work!
Glad to hear it Tommy. It definitely does build like a grown-up Lego kit. :) Super fun and nothing daunting about it if you know your way around a wrench. Good luck with your build!
God bless you dudes, this helps save time on this DIY
🤘🏼😁 Glad it helps!
Just got mine today , honestly a was expecting less pieces😱 time to work .
It goes pretty quickly. 😄 Congrats on the new system.
Baby was the cool addition !!!
Haha yes!!
X-carve needs a video like this with the normal speed playback. Had to go to Lowe's to get the missing cap screws. I have been assembling since January. Took a two month break to go to therapy. Clearly there has been nothing fun about this process for me. Finally finished today May 29, 2021 and learned that if I want to attached the optional vacuum I need to take some things apart. Guess what is staying in the box. Where was that in the instructions. The router works. Yey. The rest of the machine is a power dud. So now I need to take the x-controller apart to see if I connected something wrong. what would you charge me to come to NC and assemble mine?
We got the vacuum attachment and it basically just plugs right in. But maybe some stuff has changed. 🤷🏼♂️
Thanks for posting this! Am about to buy an X-Carve, and now I know what to expect.
“so here’s a baby instead” = hilarious 😛
Glad it was helpful! We love ours.
goooood!! want buy it! love it!
😃
What's pretty cool is that they let you opt out of parts to don't want/need. For example I already have a metric crapload of stepper motors, so I saved $80 by leaving them off
For sure!
Awesome guys
Thanks! We appreciate it.
Seems like they could put a lot of this stuff together for you. That said, building it yourself gives you intimate knowledge about it's makeup before you ever turn it on and most likely lowers cost for the company (which they hopefully pass along to the consumer).
Yeah I think that is why the cost is so low, relatively speaking, because they outsource most of the assembly to the customer. I have to admit I enjoy having that intimate knowledge of the parts and how it's working because I'm a lot more comfortable using it and not feeling like I might break something. I know if I break a belt or whatever that replacing it is simple so I don't have to tip-toe around projects.
Great video i like it
Thanks! 🤘🏼😁
Great Vid. Does this kit do true 3D (curved carving) or something resembling 2.5D?
We haven’t tried it yet but what I’ve read is that yes you can. Their software Easel is not capable of generating gcode from a 3D model but you can use a more advanced CAD app to get the gcode from your model and then run it on the xcarve.
Vcarve pro software or aspire etc
How long will assembling new x-carve 1000mm take to get done?
Probably 3-4 hours, including calibration. Took us longer because we were filming the process but that’s our estimate if we did it without cameras.
Can I design in fusion 360 and cur or carving with this machine
J & J. Thanks for this great video - really helpful. Can you help me with a quick question please? At about 4:49 on the video you are showing the placement of a piece that acts as the 'stopper' for the Y-axis sensor. I have the piece and the screw, but don't know how to attach it to the rail. The Inventables instructions don't show the installation of these (there are 2 - Y and X axis). Can you help?
All OK. I took a little more time and worked it out!
Was just taking a look to see if we could help. Glad you got it sorted out! I remember there were a handful of things not clearly documented as you get towards the end. I think it's because you start to get into territory where depending on which kit you bought things might go together differently. Let us know you have any more questions. Good luck!
You should take a look into Phantom's Lead-Screw Upgrade kit from the Inventables Forums > X-Carve > Upgrades which is sooo much nicer than those belts especially when you're working with more demanding materials and more advanced CAM operations.
You might also want to take a look into Fusion 360 ( which can be claimed for free ) and is about the equivalent to Easel what Adobe Photoshop is to Microsoft Paint while still fairly easy to learn due to the abundance of tutorial videos found on UA-cam.
Cool, will do! I use Fusion 360 occasionally for other work but was not aware I could use it in place of Easel. I've seen a handful of other cnc apps that have more advanced functionality that I've been meaning to look into. Thanks for the tips!
if you dont mind, what size is the table youre setting it up on?
It’s 4’ x 6’
How big is the basetable?
We have a video on a custom one we built. It’s 4’ x 6’ ish.
background music sounds like something from Dynasty Warriors.
What was your total build time?
I think it took us like 3 nights.
The post says it's a 1000mm X-carve system, but it looks like the grid is 75cm. Is that correct?
Yep, their 1000mm system has a max cutting area of 75cm.
@@WickedMakers Awesome, thanks guys!
Hi, what bit did you use for your carving?
In that test we used the 1/8” straight bit.
Thx for the quick reply.....just subscribed !!!
Did you have to buy a 1/8 collet with a 1/8 bit or use a 1/4 inch collet and 1/8 bit ?
Inventables has a 1/8” collet adapter for $5 that we picked up that slides into your 1/4” collet.
For the components that roll on the t tracks are you able to move by hand with not much effort? I think my wheels are too tight. Also the y axis should be able to be hand turned to move up and down? It works when I wrench the top nut. Seems again I have it too tight.
You technically shouldn't move them by hand because it can damage the motors BUT you should be able to, yes. If you can't it's too tight. It's a bit tricky to get right but basically if it feels wobbly it's too lose and if it won't move it's too tight. Sounds like you have the Z-axis too tight as well (moving up and down). Better to err on the side of looser and then tighten as necessary until you get it dialed in, than to go too tight and potentially damage something.
Thanks for the reply! I haven't connected the belts yet. I did loosen up the pulleys and made a lot of difference. Seems the sweet spot is to tighten just enough to eliminate side play on the pulleys. Hopefully I'll finish the install soon and try it out.
what size table did you have?
It’s 40” x 64”. 30.5” tall.
Don't let this video fool you, this is a 2+ day, profanity-laced, alcoholism inducing anger-fest full of shame, regret and smashed fists.
Sweet!
Frank... you nailed it. There is nothing easy of fun about assembling this thing. I've been chipping at for weeks now. The instructions by Inventables SUCKS.
Let us know if we can help. Not sure if they’ve changed anything since we did this but as the video shows, we really didn’t run into much trouble at all.
@Nick DeJohn Waiting for my Onefinity to show up next week. It's going to be a grueling one hour setting her up! lol.
@@WickedMakers yea but they did overnight you what you needed when you needed it and send everything in three neat boxes rather than 20 or 30 packages over a 2 month period.
"On the Y2 Axis, swap those 2 wires".. .and if you forget, it will be pretty obvious. Ask me how I know.
How do you know?
got a used one so i did not have to put it together, in easil i center some words combine them center on board when it cuts it is not centerd on board how do i fix it
Sounds like maybe the machine isn’t setup properly in Easel. Might be set to the wrong size.
@@WickedMakers i need help on this cnc i got it used so i am learning i could never put one together so thought i would abuse this one
How much?
How much for the XCarve?
Price $ ?
You’d have to check their website. Depends on the size you want. Link in video description. 👊🏼💀
4:42 LOL here is a baby instead.
60% of the time, it works everytime
Hi
I went no how mache this c nc cost pls
There’s a link in the description with all the info. 😀
I went to the actual instructions and there is so many mess up I just made cuz you didn’t tell me what screw size
Why would we tell you that? That’s what the instructions are for. 🤷🏼♂️
I didn’t like how you didn’t tell me what parts go on what. Like I’m mounting the router and I hear it’s adjustable. I screwed it on. Now it looks like there’s a spacer and I don’t have enough spacers. I have to take off almost everything
That’s why I’m the beginning we literally said this is not instructional. You need to read the directions carefully. 👊🏼👊🏼
Wicked Makers where are the directions if this isn’t suppose to be instructions😑
On their site. We don’t make this product. It’s made by Inventables. 😄
Totally not this easy AT ALL. I am 2 weeks in and still have not carved. I am so frustrated.
Have you reached out to their support? They were quick to reply when we had questions. This was like three years ago so it’s possible the build instructions may have changed quite a bit since then.
How did you load your bit for the carve? I cannot figure that part out.
Do you mean in Easel or on the spindle itself? In Easel, you can select your bit at the top right (ish) from a list of bits they have preset or you can type in the specs of your bit if it’s not listed. Hope that helps!