The Smell of Molten Projects in the Morning

Ed Nisley's Blog: Shop notes, electronics, firmware, machinery, 3D printing, laser cuttery, and curiosities. Contents: 100% human thinking, 0% AI slop.

The New Hotness

  • CNC 3018XL: Pilot V5RT Pen Holder Lock Screw

    Flushed with success about the MPCNC drag knife locking screw, I installed a similar screw on the V5RT pen holder for the CNC 3018:

    Pilot V5RT holder - lock screw insert - assembled
    Pilot V5RT holder – lock screw insert – assembled

    A dark ring of epoxy around the screw holds a shortened M3 brass insert in place:

    Pilot V5RT holder - lock screw insert
    Pilot V5RT holder – lock screw insert

    As it turned out, the original recess left only a few threads for the M3 SHCS, so the much longer screw wobbulated alarmingly. I drilled out the threads, turned the knurls off the insert, shortened it a bit, masked the pretty knurls on the aluminum ring, then glopped the insert in place while the Sherline held the screw vertical:

    Pilot V5RT holder - insert epoxy
    Pilot V5RT holder – insert epoxy

    While I was at it, I added a thin ring of foam rubber under the knurled ring to keep it from clacking against the upper bushing.

    Now I can’t lose the hex wrench when I take the thing out for Show-n-Tell sessions …