r/Makera

I am considering getting the Carvera, but I am having some trouble finding info on the 4th axis.

I am not trying to mill anything cylindrical, I am trying to make multiple copies of my piece. The piece itself is 2.32 x 1.14 x 0.0625"

1. The stock I want to use is 3x12x0.625", I can lower the length to 8in so it fits under the length limit. Is the thickness going to be an issue?
2. Can this comfortably fit inside the 4th axis module? Does the CAM software also work well with the 4th axis? Does it support making an array of operations like Fusion360?
3. Does the particle collector work with the 4th axis? I am only using the 4th axis for flipping my stock.

Well done

I fell for all your marketing regarding the Z1

I've now spent more than a retail customer will due to delivery and customs and I have +£1000 paperweight because the software is so dogshit

That my fault, I should have known better

The software is horrendous

Constant errors but no explanation as to what they mean and how to resolve them

And the there is little to no documentation on the product, the accessories and how to use them

So well done, you deserve my money, I fell hook line and sinker for the lies

If using FreeCAD with a Z1 or Z1 Pro, what post-processor should I be using? I noticed this on their GitHub but its not specifically for the Z1 so maybe just the Carvera? I'd assume they aren't compatible because the Carvera has an ATC (right?) as well as other differences.

https://github.com/Carvera-Community/Carvera\_Community\_Profiles/tree/main/CAM\_Post\_Processors/Freecad/1.1PostProcessor

My Z1 Pro should arrive later today or tomorrow but I want to setup my CAM tools in FreeCAD first. Does anyone have the exact spec and details on the bits that ship with the Z1 / Z1 Pro? There seems to be 5 bits that ship with it as part of the "24-hour limited gift" for Kickstarter backers. I also want the same for the "Essential milling bit set 26 piece" as I ordered that too.

From my understanding, after creating tools in FreeCAD it's possible to export them so others can import the same to their FreeCAD CAM tools. Maybe someone has already crated a Z1 bit set? If not then I'm committing here to being the guy who will painstakingly do it and share it here in a few days for fellow FreeCAD users 😄

I am not impatient at all :D. I don‘t remember what the latest Kickstarter update stated, but I think the pro shippments didn‘t sound like they are very far away.

UPDATE:
After seeing that quite a few other backers got shippment notifications, I contacted support and magically a few hours later I got my shippment notification. It says:

2026-07-03
Your package has been dispatched and is currently being collected by the logistics company.

I’m considering purchasing the Makera Z1 and would like to ask a few questions before making my decision.

My long-term goal is to manufacture a very simple manual mechanical watch movement (around 28–30 mm for a 38 mm watch case).

I’ll be purchasing the jewels, mainspring, and hairspring separately, but I’d like to machine as many of the remaining parts as possible myself.

I understand this won’t be easy, and I’m completely fine spending months on manual finishing, fitting, polishing, and adjusting parts if necessary.

My main question is about precision.

Can the Makera Z1 machine watch gears accurately enough for a functional movement?

What about plates, bridges, and pinions?

Are there any movement parts that you think are unrealistic to manufacture on the Z1?

Would adding the 4th axis significantly improve its capabilities for this type of work?

I’m looking for feedback from people who have actual experience with the Z1 or have machined very small precision parts.

Thank you!

Hi All,

Total noob here. Trying to go slow and careful while I learn the ropes, and appreciate any help you can offer.

I was trying to follow the "First Project" tutorial for the Makera Z1, which is for the Top Clamp.

Couple of Questions

1. The steps get to a point where they simply say to hit start. But probing etc is active but it at no point mentions putting the probe in. I'm extremely wary of putting the probe in and then the spindle spinning up and ripping the thing out of the machine.

2. With nothing in the spindle just to see what the first move was going to be (whether it was going to move to calibrate itself or start spinning up or not), the spindle move a few inches to the left of home, and then the I got "Machine Halted Soft Limit Triggered" and I have no idea why.

Used the Marble Muse project on Makerables and it came out really well.

https://preview.redd.it/v8vfatoqstah1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=adce183ac5e4757eca248ed440c6cfe6c83917c7

Curious if any European backers have received their kickstarter pledge Z1 anywhere in the EU yet?

I got a notification from pledgebox 15 days ago that says "2026-06-15 The train has departed. Estimated arrival date:【2026-07-12】"

Train shipping? Across Asia?

my backer number was around 3000.

I need to be traveling abroad soon and I have no idea how to ensure I can have this machine delivered, it is difficult to plan for a parcel deliver to an address when the original arrival date has been pushed 3 months late......

Just about to hit 'buy' for an Air, but before I do, does anyone have the $200 off code? TIA!

Hello, I need to machine a piece that is squared with different features on each side. Doing it by rotating manually the piece for each face is a bit difficult. So I was thinking, is it posible to use the 4th axis to rotate the piece 90 degrees and do a 3d releif operatrion on each face? How can you do it on markera cam and markera studio?

Can someone who has already received their machine give me the height of the front action button from the table? I’m working on building out a work station for mine and want to slightly recess it into the top of the cart but didn’t want to block access to that front button