Hi folks - was asking Sienci some questions and they directed me here. Essentially, I am exploring my first potential cnc, I am am debating between the LongMill MK2 and the Shapeko 4. As to the former, I have read elsewhere that adjusting and re-calibrating the v-wheel can be a bit finicky and frustrating. I am relatively handy but I also like things to work as they should with minimal fuss, trying to get a sense of real-users’ experience. Thanks!
Hi Patrick,
I own an mk2 for a good 2.5 years now. After the initial setup of the machine, I have not adjusted the v-wheels yet. I have looked at them, to see if they were not on the brink of falling off, but never actually “calibrated” them. I do have a wee wiggle in my z axis bit don’t feel like it’s messing up my projects much.
I never needed a perfect machine, just a machine that could mill and laser wood without stalling and be reasonable accurate. After 2.5 years of minimal maintenance (cleaning and oiling) I can pretty much say, my longmill isn’t a machine that drifts a lot from its initial setup. I still get accurate milimeters. At least, accurate enough for me.
I do not feel the v-wheels are much of a problematic part of the longmill, at all.
Here’s how to replace them on a mk1 (wo t be much different on a mk2 or 2.5)
I only have a little time on my Mk 2. I had a problem with surfacing and noticed the V wheels on my x axis were not tight enough (allowed some back to front wiggle). I loosened and adjusted them with little trouble and the wiggle was eliminated. I attribute the problem to improper adjustment on my part the first time. The adjustment is not difficult.