Squaring and Adjusting the X-Car Page -1-
Squaring and Adjusting the X-Car
There are a number of good ways to evaluate whether your tool is “square”. The first is just
to cut a large rectangle, the bigger the better, and measure the diagonals. They should be
equal. Short of cutting something out, you can inscribe a shallow, large square or rectangle
(e.g. 30x50) on your table surface (or chuck up a pencil and draw one) and measure the
diagonals. Alternatively drill 4 holes at the corners of a square and measure the diagonals.
In all cases, if the diagonals are equal your tool is cutting square.
The technique decribed below provides a straightforward method to help you initially square
your tool. Use it to get started. However, the “proof is always in the pudding.” Use the
approach above when you are ready to fully ‘evaluate’ square.
Use a Square Sheet
This initial squaring technique can be used either with or without the motors engaged. If
you have had difficulty getting the wheels exactly aligned in the previous steps, then you
may want to lower and disengage the motors from the rack to make a first pass at adjusting
the alignment. You basically want to make sure the X-Car in its relaxed or natural position is
pretty square. If things already look about right, then leave the motors engaged.
You will need to have mounted your router or
spindle to use this squaring technique. Put a
cutter with a v-tip or point in the collet. The
only other thing you will need is a large square
sheet of material. It should be a sheet that
you are confident is square because you have
measured the diagonals, say a 4x4 or 4x8
piece of plywood. [NOTE: Sheets from the
factory are not necessarily square. Measure
each edge to make sure they are equal, THEN
compare the diagonals. The bigger the size the
better, so a large square
sheet works better
than a carpenters square. In fact, the average
carpenters square is not very square. Check it
well if you are using one.]
Move the YZ Car to one end of the Y axis,
bring the tip of the cutter down to the edge of
the material, and align the sheet up and down
the X axis by moving The X-Car up and down
the rails, checking the position of the sheet at
the tip of the cutter.
SquaringXCar080916 Copyright 2008 ShopBot Tools, Inc
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