Makermade M2 User manual

v 1.2 Updated 12.6.21 ©Maker Made, LLC
MASLOW TO M2
UPGRADE KIT
A guide to assembling your MakerMade M2 CNC Kit.
SET-UP GUIDE FOR

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1. Intro - 3
SECTION 2. Parts Needed - 4
SECTION 3. What’s in the box? - 5
SECTION 4. Assembling the M2 - 6
SECTION 5. Attaching your router - 13
SECTION 6. Tips and safety warnings - 14
2

Thanks for buying the M2 CNC Upgrade Kit, welcome to the
MakerMade family!
Here are some notes on the layout...
1. Setting up the M2 can be broken down into three main parts: building
the M2, building the frame (or mounting it on an existing Maslow frame),
and calibration. This guide covers building the M2.
2. I’m Drew and I made this guide! My notes are tips and tricks to help
you along. They are in a different blue font and look like this:
Drew’s Note: Let us know how this guide can be improved for
beginners. We love to hear from you!
They are meant to answer some of the “why” questions you might have
and give you tips to get started. We suggest printing the guide in color,
if you want a paper copy.
3. Each step contains written instructions, a visual rendering of those
instructions, color coded pictures of sub-steps or parts needed for that
step, and the hardware bag where you’ll find the parts you’ll need.
INTRODUCTION
Here’s me and Spaghetti, he’s not impressed
with CNC
Like this Bag G in orange
3

Tools needed for building and operating your M2
(that didn’t come with your kit):
Router
13mm Combo Wrench (or any adjustable wrench)
Phillips Screwdriver/ drill
Tape Measure/Digital Caliper
Two Standard Sized Bricks (to that attach to the M2 for weight during
operation)
Dust Collection System
Drew’s Note: Check out the M2 Video Playlist for an overview of what’s in the box
and other how-to videos!
You’ll have to supply your own router for your M2. Here is the recommended list:
Router Clamp Size MakerMade
Tested
Community
Tested
Bosch Colt 1hp
(PR20EVSK)
71mm (included with M2) Yes Yes
Bosch 2.25hp
(1617EVS)
91mm (included in M2
Upgrade Kit)
Yes Yes
DeWalt 611 1.25hp
(DWP611)
71mm (included with M2) Recommended Yes
DeWalt 618 2.25
(DW618M)
91mm (included in M2
Upgrade Kit)
Yes Yes
Makita 1.25hp
(RT0701C)
71mm (with 3D printed
adapter)
Yes Yes
Ridgid 2hp
(R2202)
91mm (included in M2
Upgrade Kit)
Yes Yes
Ridgid 2hp
(R22002)
91mm (included in M2
Upgrade Kit)
Yes Yes
The following is what came in your M2 Upgrade kit!
PARTS NEEDED
4

DUE v1.2 Control Board,
Shield, and Case
10’ MicroUSB to USB cord AC/DC Power Adapter
and cord
Sled
Z Axis Assembly Dust Collection Bracket 91mm Router Clamp Spring
Velcro Dust Collection and
Brick Mounting Straps (3)
Acrylic Dust Cover USB Drive Paint Marker
Spring Hardware Bag B
Quick links (2)
Small screws (4)
Zip ties
Assembly Tools Bag I
5mm hex wrench
4mm hex wrench
3mm hex wrench
Z Axis Hardware Bag C
Z Motor bracket
2.5mm and 2mm hex
wrenches
Flat combo wrench
Belt
Black M3 x 8mm
bolts (6)
Z Axis Hardware Bag cont.
Large gear
Small gear
Large set screws (2)
Small set screws (2)
M4 x 8mm bolts (4)
M4 Locking nuts (4)
M5 x 8mm bolts (8)
M5 T-nuts (8)
WHAT’S IN THE BOX?
5

The M2 Upgrade Kit comes in several pieces to assemble.
Drew’s Note: We recommend reading this entire section
before beginning assembly.
Check out this video playlist on how to build the
M2!
ASSEMBLING YOUR M2
6

1. There are three sets of countersunk pilot holes in the sled. Place the ring carriage in the
center and align with the pilot holes. Remove your ring carriage from your Maslow and
take it apart. Then, align the L-brackets with the ring bracket attachment on each set of
holes, with the tall sides toward the center. Screw the aligned L-brackets into the sled,
oriented with the ring carriage, using a Phillips screwdriver and the tiny silver screws.
Drew’s Note: You’ll use all the screws, bolts/wingnuts for these steps, so don’t lose them!
2. Attach the three L-brackets to the rectangular brackets on the ring carriage
using four small black bolts and locking nuts on each bracket. Use the
smallest (2mm) hex wrench on one side and the flat wrench
on the other.
Drew’s Note: The ring carriage is
adjustable for the thickness of the
material you’re cutting! For now,
we’ll attach it at the top.
3. Hang a roller bearing carriage on each
side of attached ring carriage.
Z Axis
Bag C
Roller bearing carriages
7

4. Assemble both roller bearing carriages by inserting the shoulder bolt through larger
carriage hole, then through a washer, the ring bearing, another washer, and out though
the smaller side of the roller bearing carriage. Use the largest (5mm) hex wrench on one
end and 13mm combo wrench (or any wrench) on the other to tighten.
5. Remove the protective plastic on each side of the acrylic dust cover. Then place it over
the dust collection slot.
Drew’s Note: The sled assembly is done! Place it aside and we’ll come back to it in step 14.
6. Attach the Z motor (removed from your Maslow) to the Z motor bracket. Align the
motor shaft in the slot closest to the end of the bracket. Use the small black bolts and the
2mm hex wrench.
Shoulder
bolt
Ring
bearing
Washer
Washer
Nut
TOP VIEW SIDE VIEW
Assembly Tools
Bag I
Z Axis
Bag C
Z motor bracket
Acrylic dust cover
8

7. Attach the large gear to the motor, just above shaft base, ensuring one large set
screw is on the flat side of motor shaft. Attach with the two large set screws using the
second smallest (2.5mm) hex wrench.
8. Attach the small Z axis gear on the Z axis assembly’s lead screw, with the top of lead
screw about 1/4in (6mm) beneath the top edge of the gear. Tighten it using the two
smaller set screws and the 2mm hex wrench.
9. (A) Loop one end of the belt around large gear. (B) Loop the other end around the
top of the small Z axis gear. (C) Using the Z axis assembly as leverage, push the bracket
down until it is flat and parallel with the top of the Z axis assembly. This will ensure the
belt is tight.
(A) (B) (C)
Z Axis
Bag C
Z axis
assembly
Z Axis
Bag C
Z Axis
Bag C
9

10. Attach the Z motor bracket to the Z axis assembly using the four silver bolts and
locking nuts. Hold the nut with the flat wrench and tighten from the top using the
2.5mm hex wrench.
11. Ensure that the gears are level, with the belt between them.
If they are not level, loosen the set screws on the gear that is
taller, and push it down until it is level with the other
gear. Re-tighten the grub screws at the new height.
12. Attach the router clamp to the Z axis assembly using the bolts that are screwed into
the clamp. Unscrew them and attach the clamp to the Z axis assembly as shown with
3mm hex wrench.
Drew’s Note: Be sure that your belt is tight
and level between the gears! If the belt
is loose or not level, the Z axis on your M2
will not move properly.
Router clamp
Z Axis
Bag C
Assembly Tools
Bag I
10

13. Insert the eight bolts into the holes from the outside of the base of the left and right
sides of the Z axis assembly. From the inside of the z-axis assembly, hand tighten the
T-nuts half-way onto the bolts.
Drew’s Note: The Z axis assembly attaches to the sled with T-nuts. They are marvels
of engineering that are specially designed to hold different materials together.
Some even turn sideways (perpendicular) when they are tightened! Ours fastens
the z axis assembly to the aluminum extrusion rails “feet” that are attached to the
sled.
14. (A) If attached, pop the caps off the ends of the sled rails. (B) Rotate the T-nuts, so
they are parallel with the inside of the sled rails. (C) Slide the Z-axis assembly onto
the rails, with the T-nuts sliding into the slots on the outside of the rails. Stop when the
router clamp is centered with the center sled hole.
Check out this T-nut
x-ray coolness!
(A) (B) (C)
Right
side
Left
side
Z Axis
Bag C
11

15. (A) Tighten the T-nuts using the 3mm hex wrench. The z axis assembly should be
securely attached and not move or wiggle on the rails. (B) Replace the end caps on the Z
Axis.
16. Attach the dust hose bracket in the best orientation for your particular dust hose,
using the two small screws. (A) For hoses smaller than 2” (51mm) in diameter, attach the
bracket closer to the sled edge, aligned with the pre-drilled pilot holes. (B) For larger
diameter hoses, attach the bracket against the Z axis assembly.
17. (A) Attach the black or orange, shorter Velcro dust collection strap to the dust hose
bracket. (B) Loop the two longer Velcro brick straps by feeding them through the slots
on the sides of the Z axis assembly. You’ll attach the bricks (and cinch them tight) after
you mount your M2 to your frame.
(A) (B)
(A) (B)
Dust hose
bracket
(A) (B)
Drew’s Note: The M2 needs
about 8-10lbs (4kg) of
weight to move properly
and safely keep the bit
held to your material using
gravity. That’s why we use
two bricks!
12

18. Loosen the hex nuts on front of the router clamp using the 3mm hex wrench. Attach
a router bit to your router and insert it into the router clamp. Tighten the clamp. The bit
should be just above touching the surface of the table that you’re building your M2 on,
about 1/4” (6mm) up.
16. Align the bit to the center of the center sled hole. The easiest way to align is by sliding
the Z-Axis assembly forward or backward until the distance is exactly the same from the
bit to each edge of the front and the back of the dust collection hole.
Drew’s Note: It’s very important that the router bit
is in the exact center of M2 sled hole! All of the
triangulation math for the M2’s GRBL code is based
off the assumption that your bit is in the exact center.
If it is off, even by a few millimeters, it will result in
your M2 cutting incorrectly.
Drew’s Note: You can
adjust your router up
or down in the clamp
later to accommodate
for large adjustments
to how deep you can
cut into your material.
ATTACHING YOUR ROUTER (NOT INCLUDED)
13

APPENDIX - TIPS
The MakerMade M2 CNC kit is used to assemble a large format CNC machine. It
is designed to use a router (or another tool) to cut 4’ by 8’ sheet materials. When
used correctly, this machine is very safe. However, some safety precautions must
be taken to prevent injury. These include but are not limited to:
1. Always follow the safety guidelines and instructions included with the router or
other tool you attach to the kit.
2. Always wear ear and eye protection when running your machine.
3. Use adequate dust collection or wear a respirator. Breathing material dust can be
harmful.
4. Use proper lifting techniques when loading/unloading materials.
5. Always use caution when connecting/removing the sled. This assembly weighs
around 20 lbs.
6. NEVER leave your machine running unattended!
We’re excited to have you in our community of makers and can’t wait to see what you
create.
Find us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @makermadecnc and tag your projects!
#MakerMadeMaker
Click here to check out updates on our
Resources section for the Makerverse
Calibration Guide to run your M2!
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