Woodworking, CNC, Lasers and other related shop content.
After many years as a remodeling contractor and cabinet maker I stepped away from woodworking almost completely for 10 years. Now I'm back with a brand new shop, some new ideas and renewed passion for the hobby.
Join me as I build out the new workshop, learn some new techniques and test out some new woodworking tools.
Welcome to Evolution Woodworks!
Disclaimer: Woodworking is an inherently dangerous hobby. All of the tips, techniques and opinions on this channel are for entertainment purposes only. No guarantees are made to the safety or correctness of anything on the is channel. I have developed my own technique over many years of working with wood and power tools, some of which may or may not be considered safe. Please be sure to read and understand your tool manuals and seek out help with anything you don't feel completely comfortable with. And always use proper safety equipment.
Thanks. I was having the chatter problem with the original XZ and after watching this, contacted support and they sent me the improved one. It's much more rigid and I can be a lot more aggressive in cutting without chatter.
Honestly it's different for every bit and different wood species. What I was messing with in the video is red oak, and I believe I was .2" DOC, plunge speed was pretty slow like 10 or 15, and the feed rate I had maxed out, which appears to be 78 for this machine. I set it higher but never see it go faster than that. The Dewalt is usually set between 2 and 3.
I have an early model 4040 and always have chatter if I try to use 1/4 " bits. It looked like that is the bit you were using. It's hard t understand how that upgraded mount can make such a difference but I am going to try it. I upgraded to a 800 watt spindle running with a VFD that's the next upgrade you should consider it's very quiet and powerful with variable speed up to 24,000 rpm. Thanks for this video and I did subscribe.
Yes, it's a 1/4" bit. I didn't think it would make as much of a difference as it did. When it flexes it lets the bit wander and jump around rather than cutting. It's like if you were using a handheld router and just barely holding on to it so it can bounce around the workpiece. Thanks for the tip on the VFD. I think my next upgrade will be a much bigger machine honestly. This one was kind of a test run.
@@EvolutionWoodworks I did order the new mount for my 4040. You can do a lot with this machine but it can't handle 1/4 inch tools. I have had some luck with 3/16 O flute tools but 1/8" works the best. It just takes longer. I have considered replacing the X axis hollow rods with solid pieces that I can purchase from McMaster Carr but I don't know if even with that the machine will be able to use 1/4 inch tools. For the money it's an OK machine.
I have also the 4040 Pro. Unfortunately still with the v1 weaker Z-axis. I am based in Sweden in Europe and have not find anywhere were the new v2 stiffer Z-axis could be bought. I have done some Engineering stiffness calculation of how much the stiffnes will increase by changing the Dia 16x10 mm original pipe to a solid Dia 16 mm bar. The stiffness will only increase by 18%, so my take away is that it is not worth the effort. 😢
@@jimbembinster I use 1/4" up/down/and compression bits on mine with hardwood all the time with no issues? I have the non-upgraded Z version... I do however use the upper two holes to hold the makita as close to it's bottom as possible, not clamping it in at the top of it's sleeve. Sure you lose a bit of Z range but it works better.
Very interesting video thank you. I am just about to buy one of these 4040 machines and wondered if Sainsmart are now supplying them with the upgraded part for the Z axis, also could you let me know what feed rate and cut depth you were using here please. I will probably be using a makita palm router with mine, similar power and weight to your Dewalt.
From the pictures I've seen they have added that on the production models. Some of the pictures on the website show the old and some show the new but I can't imagine they would be sending it out without the update. That file is set to run at 80 in/min at 0.15 stepdown but the fastest I've seen it go is 78 in/min so I think that's about max for the machine. I'm running the router speed about 2.5 on the dial which should give me about 19,000 RPM. It's still not perfect but for what it is I think it does pretty good now. Before it was almost worthless to me.
i just got mine on the first of march 2024. mine has the upgraded z axis structure. have not even used it yet because im busy on other stuff but i plan to get into it soon.
That was my problem. I bought it on a lightning sale while I was building the shop so it just sat there for months before I finally used it. Then I was disappointed in how it worked and let it sit again before I finally caught someone in a FB group talking about the upgrade. Thanks for watching!
Good job with the video and the boards! My wife and I own an RV and we're still relatively new with our travel channel. Making videos is a lot of work, but rewarding and it's fun to connect with people. I found your channel as I'm into word working and have become enamoured with cutting boards. I'm hoping to find a fun style that might suit me as a beginner. Keep up the good work!
Awesome! Thank you! This is actually a second channel for me. My first is Trailtec 4x4 and it's an overland channel so I know how much work it is doing your style of videos too. We are contemplating a new van build this year so there may be some crossover content that you'll enjoy. Thanks again!
