Step 4: Assemble Z carriage

The Z carriage is the piece that will hold the Dremel tool, and it moves only up and down. It will rest in the X carriage, which moves side to side. The Z carriage is made of wood AND acrylic plastic parts that have been laser cut, and fits together with tabs and nuts & bolts.

Step 1: Begin assembling the wood parts by fitting the rectangular back piece tabs into a side panel's slots (as shown) while fitting the middle brace piece into the slots on the side panel AND the back piece. Note that the two side panels should be the same (there is no left or right). If the tabs do not easily fit into the slots, do not force them too hard as they may break. Slightly sanding down the tabs will allow any oversized tabs to fit snugly into the slots.

Step 2: After fitting together the back plate, one side panel, and middle brace, you can snap the second side panel on.

Step 3: Add the top acrylic piece. Note that the acrylic pieces may have a piece of masking on one or both sides that is meant to protect it from scratches. The masking can be peeled off like a sticker from both sides, leaving a clear plastic piece. The top acrylic piece can be fitted as shown. If the fit is too tight, you may sand down the tabs. Note that the acrylic can crack or break if too much force is used. If you start to hear squeaking and creaking noises, you're probably putting too much tension on the acrylic and may break it.

Step 4: Add the bottom acrylic piece as shown. Again, peel off the masking if desired prior to fitting it into the tabs.

Step 5: Add the nuts and bolts. Between the tabs, you'll see holes and "T" shaped slots in the wood. Use the 16mm M3 bolts on wood to wood connections and the 14mm MR bolts on the plastic to wood connections. For instance, in the picture to the left, the top acrylic piece is secured to the wood using four 14mm M3 bolts while the side panels are secured to the wood back plate using 16mm M3 bolts. Both bolts are secured with the same type of M3 nuts, which are fit into the T holes. Use the M3 hex wrench to firmly secure the bolts.

Step 5: After all the nuts and bolts (14 of each) are fit into the respective holes, four bearings can be snapped into the acrylic pieces. Note the the bearings are placed in the two outside holes of each acrylic piece; the middle hole is clearance for the threaded rod and does not use a bearing. Squeeze the plastic bearings slightly to fit them in the holes and they will expand when you release them.

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