Jaxen CNC Mill - Homepage
Jaxen is the most powerful CNC mill at VHS, capable of milling steels and other metals harder than aluminum and brass.
As of 2026 March, it is being prepared for wider member use.
This is the homepage for Jaxen. Wiki pages for Jaxen:
| Model | Mill: Grizzly G0619 See Manual (CNC Fusion stepper + ballscrew conversion) |
| Status | Being tested. |
| Usage Restrictions | Members with Training |
| Training | Mandatory |
| User certification required | YES - proof of successfully completing training |
| Hackable | NO - Join #metal-cnc-committee |
| Owner | Vancouver Hack Space (donated by Chris / ccudahy ) |
| If it Breaks | Notify champion, put up an Out of Order sign |
| Loan Status | Donated — VHS purchased for $1; Chris / ccudahy retains first refusal if disposed |
| Arrival Date | August 29th, 2020 |
| Location | CNC Area, Northeast corner |
| Champion | ColinL ; AndroidLX |
Specifications
- Software: Runs UCCNC
- Controller: AXBB-E (CNCdrive)
- Installation: Inside a custom aluminum enclosure, coolant ready, mounted on a standard machine shop base, bolted to concrete floor.
- Weight: ~200 kg
- Mill mechanics: Modified with CNC Fusion stepper + ballscrew kit (original parts retained)
- Motors: X+Y are brand 'JSS Motor' Model 57HSE2N-D25, Hybrid stepper with integrated encoders (aka “servos”)
- Horsepower: TBD
- Spindle: max 1700 RPM (unsure of conditions of exceeding this)
- Sensors: 3x Limit switches magnetic proximity, USB-C probe (not implemented), toolsetter (not implemented)
Rigidity + Backlash
2026 Mar 22 tests showed that error is less than 0.1mm, maybe 0.05mm in both the X and Y axes.
Max build size:
- Y: ~130mm, see note below.
- X: 350mm (largest part size is larger: half the width of the enclosure)
- Z: 250mm (distance from chuck face to vice top)
Y axis increase plan:
Move the Vice mount point backwards one slot to middle slot. Would also need to re-adjust the Y home position, since it likely won't reach it anymore.
Training
- Mandatory training required before use.
- Suggested to first complete training and certification on the 6040 CNC Mill "Loratron" but not mandatory.
- Certification must be recorded before using Jaxen.
Speeds & Feeds
- Use the CNC PC’s cutting speed calculator to determine correct RPM and feed rates
- Always set both cutting speed and feed rate properly to avoid tool damage and poor results
Maintenance ToDo List
Critical
- Ground bus bar behind controller needs resoldering or replacement, most through-pins are loose in perfboard.
- Tighten limit switch brackets (Z).
- Splice spindle encoder cable (or run with PID control turned off)
- Replace metal side panel with plexiglass for viewing from the workstation.
- basic door on front
- tramming, and other mill accuracy verification procedures.
- software backlash compensation setup using test results and then re-test.
Non-Critical
- Isolated inputs for hardware limits appear to be pulled high by 24VDC supply, bypassing isolation and daughter multiplexing board.
- For custom boards inside column enclosure: Insulation on screw terminals and cable management for 120VAC connections- risk of short circuiting.
- Make probe circuit normally closed (active low).
- Addition of in-panel circuit breakers that isolate control and motor-power subsystems.
- Get a smaller vice so that the movement range of the table can be extended. (Check actual gains from this to ensure it's worth it).
- Coolant system
- Upgrade the spindle DC brushed motor and drive train, which currently has about 5 degrees of backlash- hekseskudd says this would be the biggest single improvement to surface finish. Goal would be to have a big spindle motor like Gage had……….
- Consider spare parts for the most common things users could break, like spindle system.
- Consider systems for preventing crashes, currently only have software limits.
Maintenance Log
| Date | Who | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Aug 15 | Colin L | Cut rear enclosure panel for future access. |
| 2026 Aug 14 | Colin L | E-Stop circuit troubleshooting, redesign, rewire, and document E-stop circuit. |
| 2026 Aug 8 | ColinL | Splice spindle speed control cable. Mount E-Stop button to front. Y-axis stepper cable management. |
| 2026 Jul | Many | Moved Jaxen from beside electrical panel “MEOW” into Gage the CNC's old enclosure in the Northeast corner of the CNC area, rewired electrical panel |
| 2026 Mar | ColinL | Created new profile for metric G-Code, tuned spindle PID loop, created basic workholding bed, backlash benchmarking, labelling, start of training program… |
| 2025 Sep | Majicj | Substantial documentation done on the electrical control system for the wiki. |
| 2016/2017 | Chris (donor) | Disassembled after poor cut quality; discovered defective saddle, replaced with new Grizzly part, controller box rebuilt. |
| 202x Jul 4 | AndroidLX | Significant modifications performed. Machine confirmed to run UCCNC, noted as “not particularly user-friendly.” |
History
- Donation terms: Purchased by VHS for $1; donor retains first right of repurchase if disposed
- Donation date: August 29, 2020
- Arrival location: Workshop
- In 2025, King Industrial Stand purchased for mill ~$300-$400(KMS Tools)
- 2020 Original Base: Wood 93 × 61 cm footprint, 93 cm tall (engine hoist fits underneath)
- Came with R8 tooling
- Most of Tooling that came with machine seems to have gone missing
Gecko G540 stepper controller (see Gecko G540 Manual) (parallel port → LinuxCNC PC)Integrated PC, stepper PSU, and controller in enclosure
Mill and original stand as donated by Chris:
Pic of Jaxen about 2026 Jan:
