Search:

@wastingtape - did you get this sorted out? If your still having problems please feel free to contact me.

Are you using the parallel port? It sounds like you might be getting jittery step pulses. Shut down Mach3 and run the driver test program (in the C:\mach3 directory)and see if you get a nice smooth...

I keep my machine adjusted so I have less than 0.001" of backlash and machine everything from plastic to tool steel. My 'tiny' 166oz-in motors have never been the limiting factor. I can still run...

The clicking sound is a sure sign that something was interfering with Mach3's timing, that causes a jitter in the step pulse stream and you get a click/hiccup from the stepper motor. About 50% of the...

How many times do you lift the machine by the spindle while you are machining? Under its own power the spindle will deflect perhaps 0.003" if you stall the stepper motor out. By that time your...

There are a LOT of misconceptions when it comes to sizing a stepper motor for a machine. Despite the popular belief, bigger is not always better. The Taig uses 20TPI lead screw. This gives a whole...

A 3/8" bit is at the upper limit of what you would want to use with a Taig and 1/2" bit is really too big (see exceptions below). It is also important to know whether your bit is a 'center cutting'...

Great, glad to hear you got it sorted. Had a similar thing happen to me once. The project light on my lathe had an old non-polarized two prong plug. If you plugged it in the wrong direction the lathe...

Chris, you should not be shocked by the machine. I noticed in the video you say you have the old two pronged outlets. This is likely a big part of the problem. The first thing i would check is your...

The problem with trying make/use a tool holder like the OP is after is that you wind up with a lot of run out. Not only do you multiply the run-out the further you move from the spindle but you also...

Converting a Taig or Sherline to CNC is not too hard. With the Taig being the easiest I think. You can order the 2019CR-ER with crank handles. This gets you the better spindle motor and the stepper...

Power supply sizing is a bit counter intuitive. If you are using an unregulated supply it is common to 'over size' it 30% or more so the voltage stays at an acceptable level at your maximum current...

Well, that is not my experience not has that been the experience of most folks based on the feedback I have had from 90% of my customers who had been using the parallel port and found the...

The stepper drives in the G540 are of much more modern technology. The G540 also does step morphing, at low RPMs you get 10x microstepping. As the RPMs increase it morphs internally to full steps....

I kept the original 24V power supply. With the G540 the machine now easily does 40IPM, about twice what it did when new. I have not tried to push it faster than 40IPM as that seems plenty fast for a...

The motors are wired in parallel and I have come across two different color codes used on the wire harness. I updated the Dyna 2400 wiring information spreadsheet with G540 wiring information. You...

That sounds like it might be a case of the machine being cold combined with (perhaps) the weaker Taig spindle motor. If the machine is setting in a cold environment the grease in the spindle bearings...

@signtorch - in machining terminology backlash is the unwanted movement between things like a leadscrew/nut or two gears (in a gear reduction), in other words between the driven parts of an axis....

Neither of these things are backlash though. The way I described measuring backlash is very accurate at measuring backlash. Tool flexure and lack of machine rigidity are completely different issues....

Spindle motors liek he is using are not made for cutting steel. If you try it you will quickly trash the spindle.

That is not a very accurate method to measure backlash. To measure backlash you need a test indicator and a piece of stock to indicate against (mounted to table.) You put the test indicator in the...

Keep checking Craigs List and any other Internet classifieds in your area, and even Ebay. Those are places where someone might try to unload such an item.

@speedtwin69 - What I'm getting at is what is the perceived advantage of converting to ball screws. I'm genuinely interested in what folks think the gain will be as it is a large amount of money to...

Why do you think you need ball screws?

@109jb - Mach3 can do screw mapping. Since it requires measuring the screw very precisely I don't think it is used a lot by hobbyist.

BTW, I came to the same conclusion as you - some people don't...

FWIW, none of my comments were with respect to the video. The link to the video was posted in response to me asking one respondent what he was talking about w.r.t. needing to adjust the steps/unit...

Guys we may disagree and debate about techniques and procedures but there is no call for personal attacks. A healthy debate encourages everyone to think about different ideas and new ways of doing...

It has nothing to do with ego, it has to do with presenting the facts. Take a look on Youtube at the nice videos that Taig has been putting out on adjusting the machine. Do you seem them mention...

I've been doiong motion control for about 20 years now. I know both the theory and the practice.

You are free to adjust the steps/unit to your hearts content. Your missing the point that your...

Arg! I'm really trying to help, not pick a fight. There is a lot of misinformation in the hobbyist realm and I'm just trying to put forth the facts of the matter so folks can have the information to...