Search:

Thanks for the insight, CMT!

I've seem some interesting videos on the Tormach 3-stage power drawbar, and I've read through the manual for the thing. Seems very nicely engineered, arguably worth...

I'm converting (yet another) Benchan 4000 VMC for use with Mach3, and I'm exploring the possibility of adding some type of tool changer. (The donor came with a rotary 4th axis, but no ATC.)

My...

Hello! I'm going down a similar path with a Benchman VMC4000. I'm planning to use an Ethernet SmoothStepper and C25 terminal board. Could you please share a diagram of exactly how you wired the...

I'm running a CNCrouterparts router, with Mach3+ESS -and- ShuttleExpress jog dial. Windows 10.

All was well for several months, until today, when I have this combination of oddities:
- No...

OK, based on Gerry's comments and another read-through of the Geckodrive "Stepper Motor Basics Guide", I'm going to replace the existing PSU with a 48vdc 7.5A unit from Automation Technologies. And...

Well, Gerry, it's like I said, some swarf-for-brains noob set up this thing, including the power supply and current limiting resistors. (I am that noob.) It seems likely that a 62K current limiting...

I'm rebuilding my 3-axis DIY machine because of what seemed like mechanical binding issues. Now I suspect that my primary problem is NOOBishness.

PROBLEM: I can cause any moving axis to go into a...

OK, I have a 3-axis Tormach PCNC770, which has a work area of 7"x14", and I want to make some simple involute gears about 12" in diameter. (This is for a can crusher, not the Clock of the Long Now.)...

AHA! Thanks, Bashere. Those .DXF files came through fine.

The file "Trigger 3-views".DXF came closest to what I need. (Gave me top, side, and one end.) Because the parts are symmetrical...

Thanks, Jeff! Those files came through fine.

Regrettably, I made a mistake in the specification of my request. [color me embarrassed.] I have Vcarve Pro v7.012, not Cut3D, and so I can only...

I'm trying to help a couple of young Makers by cutting some aluminum parts on my Tormach mill. They have obtained .SLDPRT files for these items, but regrettably they don't have SolidWorks, and...

Hello!

I'm trying to find a small amount of Tivar Ceram P, made by Quadrant Plastics. I only need 10" x 20" for evaluation, and my distributor can only supply 4'x8' sheets. Does anyone have a...

Hello, all -

I've had my PCNC for about 4 months now, and I've been getting by with jogdial moves and a handful of hand-written C-code. I just hit the edge, with a program that's longer than 500...

By gum, that's it! Clicking on [Clear] and then [Cycle Start] brought things back to normal. (Meaning that all jogdial functions are re-enabled.) YAY! Thanks, Scott, and thank you SPDTool. I think...

I have PCNC 770 #70101, and I'm enjoying the heck out of it, except for an intermittent problem with jogdial response. I'm hoping that somebody else may have seen this, and found a fix or...

Hello, everyone -

I have a new 770 and I'm enjoying the heck out of learning to use it.

Today I have a strategy question. In Pittsburgh this time of year, we get our fair share of...

Hi, all - I have a "methods of work" question. How can I drill and tap into the edge of a sheet of plastic

I have a recurring project using HDPE plastic, and I am trying to increase quality and...

Hello, all -

It's been over a year since I shared any progress here.

Lots of news today!
a) The Green Machine is up and running (sort of), and has played a role in TWO paying projects! (yay!)...

Ah, that's an interesting router head, Ger! Lots of swept area, that will speed things up if I have enough power to drive it. (Got a feeling that a Bosch Colt isn't gonna cut it, sounds like a job...

A local non-profit recycler of building materials has handed me a stumper.

They've received a ton (several tons actually) of veneered wood doors from a hospital that's being remodeled. The veneer...

As I've zoomed around the web today trying to glean ideas for my Y and Z axes, it struck me again and again that people have a really hard time describing the bending forces and movements within...

Hmm, maybe I will. It would be right in keeping with my philosophy for this build log, exposing the messy intermediate stages of development. I like seeing the beautiful completed machines of others,...

Oh, it's a happy day in Pittsburgh. Tonight I got my x-axis working!

At first, I was trying to run my G201 drives directly off of the parallel port. (Desktop PC, not a laptop.) No joy there, I got...

Yup. I guess the only way to find out is to go for it. Noise between subsystems is exactly the part I've been most curious about. I look at commercial systems and I see them built into one box. At...

I'm assembling a DIY router table, (build log below,) and I'm getting ready to build out the control box.

I happen to have a steel panel-box originally intended to house a home alarm system. It's...

Hello, all. It's been a while, but it's again time to lurch forward.

I followed Ger21'a reasoning, and purchased some 495-oz steppers from KelingInc.net . (The little ones are now on a Sherline...

Well, let me try to explain the idea better. (I may need to break out the graph paper again. :)) To me it's a given that the Z assembly (rail and 8020 beam) will move vertically. I'm thinking to do...

By now I'm sure you all know that GlacialWander's build has been featured on www.HackaDay.com.

I posted a related question over there, and I'd like to pick the collective brain here also. It...

OK, everyone all together now, "Ahhhhhhh! Now I understand!"

This is what I get from starting my journey with a Kleinbauer Seventh Sojurn. In his design, the reaction thrust is on the rod is...

Hm. Maybe I'm having a really dense day, too much time out in the sun this afternoon. Or else I'm missing something -really- fundamental. Let me wallow in ignorance for a moment. (Somebody will thank...