🌡️ Spindle Warm-Up Procedure

For Spindles Unused for 1+ Weeks or Stored in Cold Conditions

If your spindle has been sitting idle for more than a week—or you're working in a cold climate (winter in the northern hemisphere or summer in the southern)—it's important to warm up your spindle motor before starting any carving work.

This helps ensure smoother operation, prolongs motor life, and reduces the risk of premature wear or spindle errors.

🔧 Warm-Up Process

Run your spindle at gradually increasing speeds to gently bring it up to temperature:

1. 6000 RPM – run for 10 minutes

2. 12,000 RPM – run for 7 minutes

3. 18,000 RPM – run for 3 minutes

Your spindle should be warm to the touch before moving into full carving operation.

💡 Tip: If your workshop gets cold or drops below freezing, consider covering your spindle with a moving blanket or thermal cover overnight to help protect it from temperature extremes.

🧊 For Water-Cooled Spindles

To speed up the warm-up process, run the warm-up with your coolant pump turned off during the first one or two steps.
Once the spindle is warm, you can turn the pump on before starting your actual job.

💻 G-Code Template

To automate this warm-up, use the following G-code.
Save the raw text below to a .txt file, then change the extension to match your controller (e.g., .gcode, .ngc, etc.).

M3            ; Start spindle clockwise
S6000         ; Set speed to 6000 RPM
G4 P600000    ; Pause 10 minutes (600,000 ms)

S12000
G4 P420000    ; Pause 7 minutes (420,000 ms)

S18000
G4 P180000    ; Pause 3 minutes (180,000 ms)

M5            ; Stop spindle

⚠️ Notes & Adjustments

• If your controller reads the G4 P command in seconds rather than milliseconds, adjust the values accordingly (e.g., P600 for 10 minutes).

• You may need to run the warm-up longer or shorter depending on the ambient temperature and how long the spindle has been idle.

• This warm-up is a guide, not a fixed rule—feel free to modify it to fit your shop's conditions.

Need help tailoring the warm-up for your setup? Reach out to us at [email protected]—we're always happy to help.