Skip to main content

I recently upgraded my X-Carve from the small machine to the BIG machine… and I mean BIG. It’s 1 meter square and while it’s great to have the much cutting room, my small shop doesn’t really have the space for a new thing that takes up that much room!

I tried lots of different things to make the machine folder different ways and work in different locations, I even tried running it while it was mounted on the wall! Finally, I settled on the idea of using my existing work table and folding it up towards the wall. This way, I would lose ZERO footprint in my shop, and it would be instantly accessible all of the time.

I realize after the fact that this WAS the best, and simplest solution in the end, and I was subconsciously avoiding it because it’s not especially “cool” or clever. It just works.

Here’s what you’ll need:

(purchasing via these affiliate links supports ILTMS)

I trimmed a 2×4 into 42″ sections.

Screen-Shot-2015-07-05-at-9.47.44-PM

I also trimmed a piece to reinforce one side of my work table.

Screen-Shot-2015-07-05-at-9.48.06-PM

The piece was screwed in to the “hinge” end of my table.

Screen-Shot-2015-07-05-at-9.48.28-PM

I added a 3/4″ plywood strip to each 2×4 to fill the gap under the X-Carve.

Screen-Shot-2015-07-05-at-9.48.45-PM

Then I slid the pieces under the machine and lined them up with the outside edges.

Screen-Shot-2015-07-05-at-9.52.29-PM

I countersunk holes in the waste board right above the 2×4.

Screen-Shot-2015-07-05-at-9.52.48-PM

Then I attached the waste board to the 2×4 with some 2″ screws.

Screen-Shot-2015-07-05-at-9.53.06-PM

Then I lined up the 2×4 with the edge and attached it with 3 strap hinges.

Screen-Shot-2015-07-05-at-9.53.33-PM

Based on the distance the table was from the wall, I cut a short 2×4.

Screen-Shot-2015-07-05-at-9.54.06-PM

I made a 3/4″ plywood plate  and traced the 2×4 in the middle.

Screen-Shot-2015-07-05-at-9.54.33-PM

I added wood glue in the area I had traced.

Screen-Shot-2015-07-05-at-9.55.05-PM

Then I countersunk holes and drove screws in from the other side.

Screen-Shot-2015-07-05-at-9.55.34-PM

I then screwed the plate into a stud with 4 2″ screws.

Screen-Shot-2015-07-05-at-9.55.48-PM

I added an eye screw and a rubber strap to the top of the arm.

Screen-Shot-2015-07-05-at-9.56.26-PM

I also added a matching eye on the X-Carve 2×4.

Screen-Shot-2015-07-05-at-9.57.02-PM

To mount the electronics, I added a piece of pine to the end of one 2×4.

Screen-Shot-2015-07-05-at-9.57.53-PM

I connected 2 hose clamps together to make one long clamp.

Screen-Shot-2015-07-05-at-9.58.21-PM

I wrapped two of the new, long clamps around the power supply and the piece of pine.

Screen-Shot-2015-07-05-at-9.59.45-PM

The USB cable was plugged in and bundled with the other wires.

Screen-Shot-2015-07-05-at-10.00.10-PM

I pushed the USB cable into the slot on the side of the aluminum extrusions and covered the slot with duct tape.

Screen-Shot-2015-07-05-at-10.00.42-PM

With that, all of the wiring stays in place and the electronics move with the machine.

Screen-Shot-2015-07-05-at-10.01.04-PM

The machine now folds up and is held safely in place with the rubber strap.

Screen-Shot-2015-07-05-at-10.01.57-PM