Search:

Thanks all for your input.

I really don't want to learn a s specific threading procedure for a machine that by most accounts can be difficult to thread with (I'm talking shoulders specifically).

Then there is the issue of...

What sounds more cost effective:

Another mini-mill for threading tasks

modify the eldorado to allow 'real' threading (not that guess where you start and keep guessing each pass nonsense).
...

I think we agree that that there are no < $100 solutions. There are PICs with USB connections that can take the data stream from USB and convert it to parallel.

The part that I quoted does just...

A little tech here:

The USB connection is a serial one. You have two data wires, a power and a ground. The parallel port is an 8 bit parallel, with separate grounds and discrete pins for paper...

Hello all..

I have a pretty much stock Bridgemill ElDurado.

The compound slide rusts. Its in a climate controlled room, and NOTHING else is rusting in the room except the slide. I'm...

I bought mine with the DRO installed... I think they just drilled mounting holes where needed.

They did put a cover over the Y axis DRO.... looks 'homemade'.

Works great though.

Can any of you tree hugging hippies please tell me what happened to the OZONE HOLE? And don't say that R134 (or whatever it was) fixed it.

What about all the scientists that said that there wold...

While an 8 position tool post is nice (I guess) a basic 4 poster will suffice.

Any suggestions on a good replacement lathe toolpost for the Shoptask Elderado (damn that is a dumb assed name).

I'm readinig a lot on furnaces for my first eventual foundery.

You need coke. Hard to get for us small fry... but its essentially a turbocharged charcoal that burns hot enough (with forced...

What did you expect with rolled ball screws? Ground ballscrews would get you to the magical zero backlash, but rolled? Come on, its common knowledge (ok, shoptask may not fess up to it) that one is...

If you can get a used mill and lathe go for it. Purchase price for used equipment is not bad.. shipping it is. You should easily get a good used mill and lathe for the new purchase price of a...

Not a machinst by trade by mount some barstock using the tailstock (thick enough so you do not need a steady rest) and take a cut from tail to head, at least 6 -12 inches.

Measure the diameter...

I am looking for a vise (tilting) to replace the hunk or pot metal that came with the Shoptask (its so crappy that they didn't even mark the '0' point on the angle guage.. as a matter of fact NONE of...

I have 3 axis DRO.

Since the encoders for the DRO are not on the leadscrews then they should 'automatically' be 'ignoring' and backlash?

I've made some fairly simply parts on my shoptask. I have no background in maching and am simply learning as i go.

What measurements/items should I check to see if my Shoptask is up to snuff? ...

Global warming is a money grab by scientists (i use that term loosly when I call weathermen scientists) who *finally*appear to be getting some street cred now that *they* have a doom and gloom...

I am a layman and don't care to get into the nitty gritty of citing papers...

Scientists will 'prove' whatever gets them funding.

Right now Global Warming is in the, at best, hypothetical...

I don't think the Shoptask is any worse that the other 3-in-1 mills out there.

I got mine with the DRO and lifetime warranty.. which I have had to use for a motor and a harness. I would not have...

Sealguy I think your expecting way to much.

Many many ballscrews will only hold .004 per foot unless they are precision ground and VERY EXPENSIVE. Shoptask uses the rolled ball screws for the...

The Shoptask is sold as a MILL and LATHE (I could care less about the Drill).

Its a 5 out of 10 on each count. It can be upgraded, which is a plus, but again, I would have bailed if my bill came...

I would not have sunk $10k into a Shoptask.. no matter the bells and whistles.

I paid a little over $3k with DRO and lifetime warranty (used it for several start capacitors and a wiring harness,...

There is ABSOLUTLY NO WAY you can compare the Shoptask to a B-port, new or used.

They are not *that* type of machine. If you need to do fast, heavy cuts, why do you think a 3in1 would do that...

I like the price point of stepper equipment, but am concerned about accuracy.

Has there been any thought put into a closed loop stepper system? Something simple like an encoder that would tell...

A lot of controller boards uses simply screw terminals for connections. Then most seem to put a fancy MOLEX - type connector on the side of a project box.

Whats the best way / type of connector...

I plan in using Gecko 201 drivers and a PMDX(?) controller.

Thanks.

I have studied the reference docs for steppers on the geckodrive web site.

Using thier information, can someone please check this match and my assumptions?

Motors: 2x (initial, 3rd in the...

I am looking into CNC'ing my Shoptask.

I don't want to buy their cnc kit (what fun is that?) but I also don't want to buy the wrong small parts (belts, cogs, etc).

Does NEMA 32 or 34 'size'...