Anyone have problems with their T Slots?

[JohnnyBeWood]

Just curious if anyone has had any issues with the T Slots on their table.

I have a new AR8 Pro+ and about half of my T slots are smaller than the others. So small in fact that the Axiom accessories don't slide in or other standard 5/16" T slot clamps, etc.

The ones that seem normal are about 11/32 at the top (just over 5/16") and the ones that are too small are 9/32 (just under 5/16").

I've reached out to a couple owners directly and theirs are all just over 5/16".

The table is nice and smooth, looks nice. Just seems like a manufacturer defect.

I know this machine is near identical to the Powermatic and those are specifically advertised as 5/16" T slots.

If anyone has any comments on the subject I'd appreciate reading them!

Thanks!

[Woodworking Maniak]

Each opening on mine fit 5/16 T Bolts and the Axiom clamps with a tiny bit of wiggle room even. I haven't seen that issue with anyone else I know that has an Axiom machine. It might be some sort of issue with the aluminum extrusion that was used on yours. You need to speak with Chad at Axiom about that.

Jan 26, 2018 23:18:39 GMT -5 JohnnyBeWood said:

Just curious if anyone has had any issues with the T Slots on their table.

I have a new AR8 Pro+ and about half of my T slots are smaller than the others. So small in fact that the Axiom accessories don't slide in or other standard 5/16" T slot clamps, etc.

The ones that seem normal are about 11/32 at the top (just over 5/16") and the ones that are too small are 9/32 (just under 5/16").

I've reached out to a couple owners directly and theirs are all just over 5/16".

The table is nice and smooth, looks nice. Just seems like a manufacturer defect.

I know this machine is near identical to the Powermatic and those are specifically advertised as 5/16" T slots.

If anyone has any comments on the subject I'd appreciate reading them!

Thanks!

[BigMoose]

I also have an AR8 Pro+ that i got just a few weeks ago and all the slots are 5/16" or just a hair bigger. All my Axiom hold downs fit fine.

[gerry]

+1 on my new AR8 Pro+. Just fine.

[JohnnyBeWood]

Thanks for the replies guys. I contacted Chad with some questions/concerns about it last week when I received the machine. I'll follow up again this week to see if they have a solution for me since it doesn't seem to be a normal occurrence.

[scottbuehler01]

I am considering getting an AR8 pro, I see allot of posts with people having problems and posting here in the forums as well as contacting Axiom...seems like they don't get back to you for an extended amount of time? Or am I reading into this wrong. I really like everything rabbit this machine and will still probably purchase, but it concerns me a bit that it takes so long for help. I also wonder if people first post their problems here, and then get responses shortly after from tech support? Good luck with your machine

[gerry]

This is not a tech support forum. All you have to do is call Axiom for instant tech support.

[BigMoose]

Jan 29, 2018 10:21:36 GMT -5 scottbuehler01 said:

I am considering getting an AR8 pro, I see allot of posts with people having problems and posting here in the forums as well as contacting Axiom...seems like they don't get back to you for an extended amount of time? Or am I reading into this wrong. I really like everything rabbit this machine and will still probably purchase, but it concerns me a bit that it takes so long for help. I also wonder if people first post their problems here, and then get responses shortly after from tech support? Good luck with your machine

That is totally not the case. I have contacted Axiom a few times with questions and they replied within 24 hours. Chad is normally the one who replies and I have been extremely happy with the customer service. They even sent me parts for an issue I didn't even know I had because I had not used the clamps yet. I love when companies are proactive. I have an AR8 Pro+ that was delivered about 3 weeks ago and so far the "issues" I have had where more me not knowing something than issues with the machine. 

[stevem]

Scott: Don't worry about Axiom. All you need to do is call tech support. They have always answered the phone when I call unless it's after hours.
For the money you are going to get one of the best CNC machines available.
There are many CNC machines to choose from and it's your money, but considering this thing is built like a tank, you won't find a better machine.
All machines need some sort of service from time to time. It doesn't matter what you buy, you will eventually need some sort of service.

This forum and others are there to ask questions and try to get some sort of assistance before calling tech support.
Some folks just need to vent others ask for help on how to use the machine. It's a great forum for that.

Vectric has the best forum for software I have ever seen. It's supported by the company and the thousands of members are very willing to help answer questions of their members or guests.

Regardless of what you buy, you will probably be using Vectric software. Go to there forum and see how many people are using it.

Hope you buy a Axiom. It's a great small format machine!

[scottbuehler01]

That's good to know, thanks for the replied...I figured I was just reading into it too much and not seeing the whole picture. I look forward to getting my machine

[jigsaw]

Hi. I just purchase an AR8pro+ and tonight I used the clamp downs for the first time and found that every other slot was to narrow for the bolt. That does not seem right. Anyone know the solution?

[stevem]

I always use a 1/4-20 Toilet bowl bolt. There cheap and fit just fine.
I did install a secondary spoil board over the factory strips.
I don't ever see the need to have 6" Z height anyway, but if I did, I can just remove it.

[JohnnyBeWood]

Feb 6, 2018 21:03:21 GMT -5 stevem said:

I always use a 1/4-20 Toilet bowl bolt. There cheap and fit just fine.
I did install a secondary spoil board over the factory strips.
I don't ever see the need to have 6" Z height anyway, but if I did, I can just remove it.

Good idea. I'll try those to.

[JohnnyBeWood]

Feb 6, 2018 20:40:36 GMT -5 jigsaw said:

Hi. I just purchase an AR8pro+ and tonight I used the clamp downs for the first time and found that every other slot was to narrow for the bolt. That does not seem right. Anyone know the solution?

That's pretty much what I ran into. When checking with other users all of theirs fit 5/16" bolts with wiggle room. No solution to it. I've emailed a couple times about it and they've said that their tables are designed with 7mm in mind.

Strange that all the accessories are 5/16" related which is 7.93mm.

I'm guess it is a defect with the die or assembly process in a batch of machines.

Chad from customer service has been great about emailing me back quickly.

Has he said anything to you?

I've posted on Lumberjocks asking to if you were interested in following that thread.

lumberjocks.com/topics/258193

[eplaser]

I had the same issue with my table (or at least that what I thought it was). After checking here and asking around, I thought to check the bolts in the Axiom hold downs. The bolts were the problem. I went to my local Rockler and purchased 5/16" bolts and they fit the tracks just fine.

[JohnnyBeWood]

Apr 1, 2018 18:52:50 GMT -5 eplaser said:

I had the same issue with my table (or at least that what I thought it was). After checking here and asking around, I thought to check the bolts in the Axiom hold downs. The bolts were the problem. I went to my local Rockler and purchased 5/16" bolts and they fit the tracks just fine.

Yea, I checked my original bolts with a caliper and they were correct. I purchased new bolts as well and they didn't fit.

Since, I have filed them all down and they work. Just not what I expected to do for a new machine.

Besides that I haven't had any hiccups. The machine had been running good so far.