Opinion on stock power supply installation

[geneb]

A builder contacted me with an issue he's got - installing the power supply after the top is on can be problematic.

The issue is that the cover bracket in front of the power supply mount completely (or nearly so) blocks access to the screw hole in the upper left corner of the bracket.

If I recommend that the power supply be installed prior to the top being installed, you can add that fourth screw easily, but at the cost of having a hell of a time getting it out if your power supply dies or you want to upgrade it in the future.

I would like to instruct the builder (from the 2nd Ed. onward) that they should skip that upper left corner screw as not being really necessary. My assumption is that if the machine takes a shock hard enough to shear or pull out the three nylon screws, the power supply mount will be the least of your worries.

Combined, you guys have built hundreds of Rostock MAX machines. What's your opinion on this issue?

g.

[Polygonhell]

I fought with my PSU a lot to get the screw holes lined up, and considered omitting one or more of the screws before I got all 4 in, I think as long as you get two diagonally it's probably fine.

[Jimustanguitar]

Maybe the seemecnc guys can make those vertical supports more hourglass shaped. Even just a quarter inch would make it easier to get in there. It would improve access to the stepper motor screws too.

I used a "finger bit" screwdriver for mine. http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-3-pc ... P?prdNo=36

Something like this would work too: http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-3-pc ... P?prdNo=29

[dbarrans]

Those plastic screws were hard to get started correctly without cross threading because you can't get the same feel you get with metal screws. I'd recommend tossing the plastic screws and using metal ones. That said, I'm not a fan of leaving out any fasteners, especially for heavier components like the power supply. I put in all four screws, and used a long screwdriver at a small angle between the cover bracket and the tri-support to tighten them.

It would have been a lot easier with metal socket head screws. Then I'd have been able to use a ball end allen wrench on them.

- dan

[geneb]

I'm not so much worried about the security of the power supply - like I said, if you hit the machine hard enough to comprimise(sp) three screws, you've got bigger problems.

Replacing the screws is a good idea though - they're #8-24 aren't they?

g.

[dbarrans]

The BOM says 6-32 X 1/2" Nylon Pan Head screw for mounting PSU.

- dan

[geneb]

*facepalm*

g.