The mechanical kit is based on the Open Builds Ox CNC Router designed by Mark Carew and published on openbuilds.com. There are however a couple of difference between Mark’s design and the Maker Store Ox Kit. None of the differences are that great and the Openbuilds YouTube videos available on putting the Ox together are a great resource and starting point for everyone. Most of the differences are a result of customer feedback and modifications published on a wide number of internet forums.

Please note that while we have spent a considerable amount of time and effort putting these instructions together, any errors and omissions excepted (E&OE). If you find an error, please let us know so we can continually improve this resource.

Before starting any build, it is always a great idea to get organised. Start by unpacking your kit and checking it against the BOM (Bill of Materials) in Appendix 1. If you find any parts missing, please contact Maker Store as soon as possible.

You will also need the following tools:

• 3mm Allen Key
• 8mm Spanner
• 10mm Spanner
• Metal File
• Screw Drivers
• Builder‘s Square

• While these instructions have drawings for the Large Ox, construction of the Small Ox is, in principle, the same.
• It is Important to make sure all angles are square.
• As you progress through your build, use the Square to make sure everything is aligned before the final tightening of all screws and nuts.
• When placing any V-Wheels onto the V-Slot, make sure the Eccentric Spacers are adjusted to their furthest point.
• Do not force the wheels on as this may damage them creating a little ‘bump’.

• Assemble all the Solid V Wheels as per the drawing.
• It can help to use one of the longer screws to align everything by threading the parts on one by one.

• The NEMA23 stepper motor is attach as shown.
• Make sure the 3mm spacers are between the Gantry Plate and the Stepper.
• Don’t tighten too much just yet as a little play is needed when tightening the belts later.

• Attach the wheels to the gantry. Use Eccentric spacers on the 3 lower wheel and 6.35mm spacer on the upper 4 wheels.
• Tighten the top sets but not the bottom as they will need to be adjusted when put on the V-Slot.
• Attach the timing pulley to the Motor shaft.

• Complete both the left and right plates as shown below.

• Attach the spacer blocks by lining up the spacer blocks with the bottom of the OX Z Flate Front, insert the 10mm screws into the smaller holes on the plate and the threaded holes in the spacer, The larger holes will line up with the between the spacers and the plate for the wheels in the next step.

• Using M5 x 45mm screws attach the V-Wheels through the Gantry Plate and the spacer blocks.
• Use 3 x Eccentric spacers on one spacers block and 3 x 6.35mm spacers on the other.

• Attach the nut block as shown.

• Attach the NEMA23 stepper to the gantry plate with 4 x M5 20mm screws, making sure to place the 3mm spacer in between the gantry plate and the NEMA23.

• Placing the spacers, shims and wheels as per the drawings below, attach the front and back plates using the 4 x M5 x 65mm screws.
• Note two eccentrics are on each lower screw.

• Attach Flexible Coupling to the NEMA23, then using the 40mm Spacers attach the NEMA23 to the Threaded Rod Plate as shown.
• Make sure the bearing recess in the plate is facing away from the NEMA23 (see below).

• Using 3 x 8mm screws, attach the Threaded Rod assembly to the Z-Axis V-Slot.

• Mount the X Gantry onto the Z-Axis V-Slot and, turning by hand, screw the Lead Screw into the Nut Block about half way.
• Attach the Bearing, Collar and push the Lead Screw into the Flexible Coupling.
• Tighten the coupling, make sure the bearing is correctly seated in the Threaded Road Plate recess.
• Slide the collar to the bearing and tighten.

• At the other end, slide on the Lock Collar and bearing.
• Screw the remaining Threaded Rod Plate into the V-Slot.
• Seat the bearing and tighten the collar.

The completed X/Z assembly should look like this:

• Test the assembly by hand turning the lead screw.
• Adjust the 3 Eccentric Spacers with a 8mm spanner to that there is no lateral movement.
• Tighten all screws and test again by hand turning the lead screw. If the gantry is to tight then re-adjust the eccentric spacers.

• Screw the 2060 and 2040 extrusions to the Y Plate using the below image as a guide for the placement.
• Complete the next step before attaching the other X-Axis plate.

• Slide in 2x T-Nuts into each of the outside 2060 extrusion, 2x into the middle extrusion of the inside 2060 and 2x on the lower grove on the inside of the 2040.
• Slide the X/Z Gantry onto the 2060 extrusion.

There are 2 kinds of angled corner brackets that you may be supplied with. There are 90 degree angled corner brackets and 90 degree cast corner brackets. Please see below for the differences between the two plates. The functionality is identical.

• If you have the 10x Cast Corner Brackets, you will need to file back the tabs on 1 face of each of the brackets.
• Attach the Cast Corner Brackets as shown below ensure the flat side of the bracket you just filed is flat against the OX plates.
• If you have the 10x 90 degree Angle Corner Connector (V-Slot), you can just attach them normally as they have no tabs.

• Tighten the 4 Eccentric Spacers on the X/Z so that there is no lateral movement but the gantry can still move freely back and forth.
• The completed X Gantry should look like this.

• Here is a picture of how the Base assembly will look once you have completed the below steps.

• Put the base together as per the drawings below.
• Don’t forget to put the X-Gantry on before securing the last end! Also, make sure to tighten the Eccentric Spacers on each side.

• A T-Nut and an 8mm screw function as a belt clamp. Prepare each end (6 in total) as per the drawings below:

• Making sure the teeth are facing down, attach one end of the Timing Belt with the clamp and feed the rest under the V-Wheels, over the Timing Pulley, and under the V-Wheels.
• Pull tight and secure with the other clamp.

Post Assembly Notes:

Credits