R.I.P. Onefinity CNC - Troubleshooting my $3000 paperweight

[@cranesimple]

Title reads RIP but then it gets fixed successfully and everything is fine... so the title is super accurate. Plus, what happened here is literally the definition of ‘right to repair’ and still the customer is unhappy. The fact that end users are even able to repair this unit is amazing.

[@CTEwithMrB]

Thanks for watching and feedback!

[@DanT10]

If you bought Apple's CNC you would be forced to buy a whole new CNC as it would be unrepairable.

[@slanwar]

Right to repair is when is not under warranty

[@espressomatic]

@@DanT10 You'd have a replacement immediately if the unit was totally unusable. Sure, it's great to be able to quickly fix something yourself for no downtime, but this isn't a "right to repair" issue.

[@DanT10]

@@espressomatic I never said this was a right to repair issue. I said even though the system is under warranty they fixed this over the phone with no downtime. It is a pain but it was great that they would do this.

[@sigung01]

Having dealt with the same problem with my Woodworker, I was really pleased to see the solution posted in your video. I was able to get mine working by blowing out the dust and hitting the estop switch a couple of times, but I never really knew precisely the cause of the problem. Now I do thanks to you. So if it goes out again, I will know exactly where to look. Thanks!!

[@CTEwithMrB]

Thanks for watching! Glad Im not alone!

[@sethmickley5020]

I’m that much more glad I bought this unit watching how easy it is to service. Excited to get cutting.

[@CTEwithMrB]

Glad I could help!

[@MyersWoodshop]

This is great. They make it serviceable by the user, which means your not screwed having to rely on them. Also, means almost zero down time waiting for shipping back and forth so your not wasting days or weeks to get repaired therefore loosing money. Dang, you have a TON of dust in there! Definitely move that away form the dust!

[@CTEwithMrB]

The fact that it’s user serviceable is great. Though, some might find it a bit daunting which is why I’m surprised they didn’t offer a repair option. It was still under warranty, a replacement estop would have been nice instead of bypassing one leg but I guess it gets the job done. That dust is from an unfortunate dust boot malfunction while I was flattening the MDF waste board. It got EVERYWHERE haha it’s worse than glitter!

[@toddcumberland132]

I had this same problem. They asked me to tear it apart to diagnose as well as send pictures and video. While they were nice, I decided to to just buy a replacement and exchange. 500 bucks. I have 2 of their machines and did not want a hobby, in terms of electronics repair. Love the machines, but this self diagnostic response is a little mind bending.

[@CTEwithMrB]

Yeah thats smart. Every minute you're down you might as well be lighting $100 bills on fire.

[@barryomahony4983]

@@CTEwithMrB It's a hobbyist machine, sold at a hobbyist price point; no one should expect commercial-grade customer service. Machines like that have a nation-wide dealer and service network and they will send someone out to your business, but they cost several times the price and may even charge a yearly maintenance fee. If you "do not want a hobby" then don't buy a Onefinity IMO. Buy a Laguna or similar. As for "lighting $100 bills on fire", the Onefinity warranty clearly says that commercial use renders the warranty null and void; they were under no obligation to assist you at all. Personally, I'd never base a business on a machine like this.

[@CTEwithMrB]

@@barryomahony4983 I hear you but who is buying a machine this nice for hobby alone? They obviously can’t afford to be swapping out $500 controllers but in my opinion they had an opportunity to wow a customer for a couple bucks and didn’t.

[@canonicaltom]

@@CTEwithMrB You get what you pay for. A real CNC for actual commercial use will cost you north of $10k, so the idea that you're losing a ton of money when you can't afford professional tools doesn't seem believable. Then complaining about the equivalent of checking the oil on your car, it probably doesn't come across how you imagine.

[@mavigogun]

You are missing the culture you have bought into: machines like this were designed by builder-users, for folks a little further down the tech tree, to make CNC tools accessible. For some, this is enough. For others, it is a gateway. Regardless, the attitude of the builder/users is very much DIY, with the presumption that YOU will be coming to your own rescue. Which you could have. With some offered help. Which you declined.

[@reagannelson5264]

I think it is great that they told you what to check. Most companies would have told you to send it in for warranty work and you would have been without for a couple of weeks. Kudos to OneFinity.

[@CTEwithMrB]

Yes for sure!

[@ricktanguay2310]

I had the same problem with the E-stop on my lathe. I installed a new switch and within a few months, it stopped working also. I figured out that dust was getting in between the contacts of the switch so no connection was being made. To solve the problem, I installed a new switch again and I put the whole E-stop box into a little clear plastic bag and sealed the bag with piece of string. Twelve years passed, and no problem since.

[@CTEwithMrB]

Love it! K.I.S.S. is the best policy in the shop.

[@talegunner4414]

e-stop is not a breaker, its a switch. when activated it opens the switch to stop functions of the equipment. In normal operation the switch is closed to allow normal function.

[@CTEwithMrB]

Thanks for your insight!

[@rbwoodwork1890]

Good info. Actually contacts and not breakers and a digital meter would help speed up the diagnosis.😉

[@CTEwithMrB]

Yes! I wish I had thought of it

[@RBallarddesigns]

Good video. I think it is interesting they had you bypassing the switches before testing continuity with a volt meter.

[@CTEwithMrB]

That’s a great idea. I suppose the thought process is most people don’t have a volt meter. I didn’t even think about it while following their direction

[@mattivirta]

@@CTEwithMrB normal handy men woodworkers etc, have basic tools in garage, volt meters, hex keys, all screwrivers, etc simple basic tools.

[@CTEwithMrB]

@@mattivirta yes we do

[@TomsBackyardWorkshop]

That's not a solution that's a band aid. Did they ever replace the faulty contactor?

[@CTEwithMrB]

It works fine, and I have had to hit the E- stop at least twice since. Although now that you mention it, the point of having two breakers would be in case one side failed - as it did. I'll be replacing that shortly. 😳

[@MrToms427]

did they offer any soultions to the dust issue. heck its a woodshop and a cooling fan thats not filtered or protected is really a basic design issue. I'm a potentential customer. I'm retinking my choice here. Thanks very much for the video.

[@ronsullivan132]

Build a wooden box with an old computer muffin fan in one end blowing out and find some type of paper filter for the other end. Maybe a lawnmower filter or something like that. I am looking to purchase a Onefinity machine sometime in the next year, and seeing this problem is a great way to take steps to avoid the same issues.

[@russellmatthews595]

what the hell i live in Australia shipping to Canada plus insurance just for an e stop and down time = months. love the idea of right to repair plus an E stop at my local electronics store $12 au and i am up and running in hours not months this is the kind of service i like cheers

[@CTEwithMrB]

You still have local electronic stores? Apparently the audio cut out at 15:25 where I thanked them for getting me back up and running. Explains some of the comments I’m getting! 🤣

[@milesmanglos1583]

Thanks for logging the repair process!

[@CTEwithMrB]

You got it!

[@grantpeckford8082]

My power supply crapped out so! So Onefinity sent new whole unit under warranty! Awsome service by email! But I did have to do all checks myself with a avionics tech with me. I would have liked to just send in back for a replacement. I did end up buying a spare power supply just in case it happens again. No worries now all fixed. 🤗🤗🤗

[@CTEwithMrB]

Glad to hear!

[@mavigogun]

FYI: no sound past 15:25.

[@CTEwithMrB]

Oh no! That’s where I thanked Onefinity for getting me back up and running quickly. Explains some of these comments haha

[@adamgeiger4990]

Yeah great video. thanks for taking the time to make it.

[@CTEwithMrB]

Thanks for watching!

[@RogueCow]

Did they actually not offer you a ship and repair option? I find that very surprising...

[@CTEwithMrB]

They didn’t offer it up but their support is very responsive. Had I pushed the issue I think they would have sent me a new one. That being said, I fixed it the way they prescribed and the machine has been working flawlessly.

[@kenmore1961]

They should have immediately sent you an entire E-Stop once you determined that was the problem. How much can one cost? To elongate the time to repair by having you troubleshoot down to which side was bad is ridiculous. Do you hit your e-Stop alot? I never hit mine. I wonder if it can just go bad even if never hit.

[@CTEwithMrB]

I hit it twice that I can recall.

[@easiestrider1]

Well, at least you were only down for an hour (the video took 18 minutes, probably some editing and figuring out what to do). I had to send my Pirahna by Next Wave to Ohio to replace the on switch and was down for 2 months. Gave time to think about getting a larger machine. It got back just in time for me to purchase my Onefinity. I won't go back.

[@CTEwithMrB]

Great point! Thanks for watching

[@dangoras9152]

Dam there that cheap and couldn't send u another E stop ..... Man im glad I didn't go with them good video brother keep it up

[@ericwil76]

Your E-Stop may not actually be bad, you may actually just have had a loose connection there. Have you put it back together the way you have received it and seen if it started to work. Also like the previous comment checking for continuity is the easiest thing to do. I bet you can duplicate the problem now that you have removed and reinstalled the wires.

[@CTEwithMrB]

Checked both sides, the side that went bad had a loose switch. Hard to describe on video but gravity was causing it to engage.

[@ronsullivan132]

And I would have stripped some more insulation off of those six wires, soldered them together and then put them into the switch. That way you know that it will not loosen up again.

[@MrBAchompBAchomp]

My buddy ordered a stupid expensive gaming computer, he's had to send it in for repairs twice already. Each time they asked if he would be willing to the service himself of they sent parts. I think this goes more into saving/labor and shipping costs.

[@CTEwithMrB]

For sure

[@cd7140]

I would use a bootlace style crimp on the wires, to terminate them properly. Improper wire termination is also a common issue on 3d printers.

[@CTEwithMrB]

Smart

[@gXXrGoNe]

I'm not against their method of self-service but I do hope they sent a replacement breaker. I have no experience with CNCs but I am quite familiar with electronics. And they had 2 breakers for some reasons. One would be for fault tolerance, so if one failed the other would pick up without skipping a beat. Obviously that's not the case. The other would be with rating of the switch. Their may be some derating involved so even if the breaker reads as good enough, the continual operation will very likely result in a shorter life of the component. May want to see about them sending out a replacement breaker before the warranty expires. Worse case if they refuse which is a bad look for their company buy ur own replacement.

[@CTEwithMrB]

Their customer service was great. Good points!

[@moterbikemike]

this makes me want to take mine apart and give good cleaning

[@CTEwithMrB]

100%! It was shocking to me the amount of dust in there. Ultimately it did not affect the machine, but like any other tool, the CNC requires preventative maintenance.

[@digitalfactorydc]

This is why I went with the Shapeoko five pro.

[@CTEwithMrB]

How do you like the belt driven system? Do you need to tweak them often? That was why I stayed away from them.

[@joshuaflaherty]

I think this method of customer service is brilliant and I wish more companies would support self-repair. In this case it's a no brainer. Onefinity supplied you with trouble shooting instructions and you were back up and running (in this case, with a switch bypass) in a matter of minutes while you wait for repair parts. The alternative is having your machine down for potentially weeks while you mail it in for service. Your whining over the matter has me skipping the subscribe button and moving on to more capable KZbinrs.

[@CTEwithMrB]

Thanks for watching! (Part of it) I thanked them at the end ;)

[@shawnscott4917]

By the way, infinity doesn't even manufacture the controls. Brilliant that they actually help you out instead of refering you to buildbotics who actually manufacture them.

[@Dcassimatis]

It alway amazes me to how people won't take the time to guard the controller against dust and debris!

[@CTEwithMrB]

It's tough to do with the amount of cable they provide!

[@Carpenters_Canvas]

I get that Onefinity is in Canada and whatever but they do this stuff where they basically just tell you to figure it out. I haven’t had the thing for more than 4 mo THs and already all that happens is the screen just blinks on and off. The machine comes on but I can’t use it because the screen just sits there and blinks in and off, anyone k owe what t do? Please tell me haha

[@CTEwithMrB]

It can be quirky. How do they sort the list of cut files? Sometimes they are in alphabetical order, sometimes not.

[@michaelc.fischer2439]

Good video! Thanks! Lost sound at 15:25 15:25 🇺🇸 15:25

[@CTEwithMrB]

Thanks! I know! I should go back and do a voiceover. I was praising their customer service 😳. They are the best!

[@RoboArc]

Glad I'm a robotics engineering student, the electronics for cnc is like child's play for me 😄 On that note, I use GRBL. Way better to use and I know how the boards work to a T. Arduino mega 2560 for the win

[@CTEwithMrB]

That definitely helps. Thanks for watching and the feedback!

[@Bernardgrubb]

I would have been pretty upset I would have to do their job. They should have just sent out another box and had that one sent back for them to troubleshoot. I didn't pay all that money to become a onefinity technician...

[@CTEwithMrB]

Yes, that would have been a nice option.

[@cnmaine]

Any company that suggests you to bypass any function of an emergency safety switch is not a company to stay in business with or to purchase from in the future. That is a major safety violation over saving them $15.

[@tomrobinson8403]

They asked him to bypass for troubleshooting purposes while the controller wasn’t connected to the machine. It’s safe to do with a little common sense.

[@sampletaster5093]

Did you send them a bill for your time nothing is free

[@CTEwithMrB]

Haha. Just the sun. Unless you lease your solar panels 🧐

[@arbjful]

That much of dust is unacceptable, I think you need to position the controller away from the dust

[@CTEwithMrB]

Yes it is. It was caused by a dust boot failure when flattening the waste board 😳. The cables that come with the machine aren’t long enough for the controller to be placed further away.

[@davekolp4552]

Should unplug before grabbing and putting back together.

[@CTEwithMrB]

Good catch! I was in a rush

[@PaulMcEvoyGuitars]

Onefinity just banned me from their forums (I am a 1F owner) because I posted complaints on the 1F non-official forum on facebook. Unreal. I can not believe how awful this company is. People think they have excellent customer service because there are no complaints on their forum. But they routinely delete any complaints or criticisms. This is well documented. It's a nicely put together machine. But the controller is absolute trash. They haven't updated their bullshit firmware because clearly they can't figure out how to fix it. Totally not my fault you built your machine around some dinky open source controller. Anyway I'm totally disgusted with them. This summer I will be changing over the controller to something functional.

[@CTEwithMrB]

That's wild.

[@AppleBag1000]

likely just clean the contacts for the e-stop, full of sawdust ill bet

[@CTEwithMrB]

The spring inside failed. It was just flopping around.

[@luisalvarado2285]

I’m sorry for 3000 they shud had replaced it,

[@gXXrGoNe]

I understand why folks are upset about the unusual service repair on a $3k machine, but these are not cheap to build. These methods allow them to keep the cost down for the masses. And the steps taken for repair really are basic steps for any DIYer, regardless of experience with electronics.

[@Jepskis]

This is crazy to me. They made you do all their work for them, and now your E stop is operating on one breaker? At the very least they should have sent you a new switch assembly. WTF. I mean good on you for taking on this situation, but I would have been livid. This video makes me want to stay away from Onefinity, unfortunately as far as I can tell their design is superior to the others in this price range. And at 15:16 they may have given instruction, but YOU did all the work. You should NOT be thanking THEM for solving anything.. Just my 2 cents.

[@CTEwithMrB]

A new e-stop would have been nice, but their directions were pretty clear and their tech support was fast and responsive. It is the best hobby machine on the market. Hands down. We also have to remember they aren't Apple. They don't have a supply of refurbished control boxes they can just swap out. They're an excellent until recently home based business.

[@Jepskis]

@@CTEwithMrB I appreciate your response, and great video by the way!

[@CTEwithMrB]

@@Jepskis Thanks for watching!

[@mavigogun]

He did the work for himself, so his machine could work by the end of a phone call. Were it me, I would start off extremely 1) stressed about a failure I had no ability to comprehend, and end 2) educated and satisfied that, in the event of failure, I had expanded capacity to understand and confront several possible issues. This was a GOOD experience.

[@tomrobinson8403]

@@mavigogun I agree. You’d be down for a week or more if you had to wait for parts. A month or so if you had to send it in. I just bought one and I’m so glad we’re able to repair it ourselves. However, I work on circuit cards and electrical components as a trade so it is easier for me than some in this situation.

[@blindpilot9403]

"R.I.P. eSwitch" would've been a better title for this video. BTW, if you allow that much dust inside your Robotic ... .. CNC controller, you will end up needing to replace it for real. And that will be the real " calling wolf ".

[@CTEwithMrB]

Their dust-boot 1.0 offer failed while flattening the waste board 😬 talk about a mess. Suck it dust boot is much better today

[@mattivirta]

worst build inside wires, power supply has only one, tree screw, output DC plus point, why has used all 3 screw to E.stop , need only one wire power suppy to E-switch and out SW to board. has only make worst 3 wire power to board. little biggest gauge wire and not need 3 wire, only one wire, and 1 to 3 share connector output at E switch to board 3 place. or if board go in this 3 red wire need change wire biggest gauge and only one wire, this have worst use 3 wire if need only oe wire. this cut on/off only power to board. next time you have fasten and better diagnose if use multimeter. looking come power in and out to SW and board come power, this line.

[@CTEwithMrB]

Smart!

[@davekolp4552]

So how much money did they send you?.

[@CTEwithMrB]

I think you mean to ask how much money I sent them! Haha. $0.00 so far but if I do ever get sponsored by any company I’ll be as transparent as possible about it.

[@mavigogun]

They sent the cost of tech support for the duration of the repair- likely more than the replacement part, and without the down time of waiting on shipping.

[@mattivirta]

E-switch have cheap change and buy ewery elektric shop new less than 15$ or orden internet somewer, all new box cost me 6$ i orden my son new cnc what i build.controller board cost 10$ stepper motors drivers cost 17$/axis. stepper motors lot biggest and betters than onefinity weak 1,2Nm 28$ motors my 3Nm motors 60$/axis. this all line/motors what need buy, not need all controller new not need all drivers buy new, only one if have broken.

[@CTEwithMrB]

Good to know

[@accuspecthomeinspection2456]

So....they wanted you to do their job???? They are trying to refuse me the adequate service for mine also. Not sure it's worth the pain and effort.

[@CTEwithMrB]

I suppose it serves two masters, most people into hobby CNC might be coming from one of the other brands where you have to build and maintain the machine AND we all know they are back logged so this would be the quickest way to get back up and running. I'm sure if I had pressed the issue they would have let me send it back. What's going on with your machine?

[@RDSWOODWORKING]

You had to fix it 😂😂😂

[@CTEwithMrB]

🤯

[@takeniteasyfriend]

Definitely not what I wanted to see. User serviceability is an option. It shouldn’t be the standard-at least for that kind of cash and being in warranty. I will certainly dive deeper into if this is a trend. Not afraid to break apart, but that diagnostic would drive most people nuts. You have much patience.

[@mavigogun]

I'd much rather fix it over the phone then be out of service, period.

[@CTEwithMrB]

It wasn’t terrible.

[@CTEwithMrB]

Yes for sure

[@bigeasy_f150]

click bait from a typical mouth breather.

[@brucewatson1317]

Mine came with missing parts and when I contacted Onefinity they wanted to charge me extra for the missing parts. This company sucks.

[@CTEwithMrB]

What was missing?

[@MyersWoodshop]

How long ago did your warranty end before you contacted Onefinity?

[@mavigogun]

Those were good questions- a month seems like enough time to contemplate an answer...

[@brucewatson1317]

@@mavigogun The better question was why the quality control wasn't on top of things for me to have missing parts. Also need to mention I spoke with the owner of the company and he was a total ass with attitude. I'm sure if I posted the email conversations back and forth you'd see how crappy he presented himself and his company. I get it you guys are fan boys but this really wasn't what I expected after seeing so many positive things on the FB. Maybe I got him on a bad day or something but he was an ass.

[@mavigogun]

@@brucewatson1317 Check yourself, dude- we're just trying to qualify statements made by a stranger online. I can't speak for anybody else, but I have no affiliation with the folks at OF; my interest here is purely to learn. If you have more to offer beyond the strength of your feelings, you have a ready audience in me. The "what missing parts?" question was topical, as many manufactures provide for customization to meet the demands and budget of the customer. Some folks don't appreciate that they are purchasing parts for a system- so when the "car" shows up without an engine, they become incensed, not realizing they needed to order a specific engine. I don't know what your expectation was here, whether or not it was mistaken or justified, nor if your reaction was appropriate... or not. So, you can help us get a better apprehension of the folks at OF, or maybe we can help you understand why you got the results that you did. It seems to me that any constructive exchange has to start with respect for the folks who have come together to talk- and that means not dismissing questions. I mean, who likes to be ignored, right?