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LPT cards, (parallell printer port) are becoming a rarity, and are very hard to find. One source I found is the people who repair computers and build them to order. They often have boxes of used...

Todd, what size are you looking for ?

Sorry to butt into this conversation, but I would like to point out that in building construction they use I beams. It is the top and bottom that make it rigid to support vertical loads.

A solid...

Thank you everyone!

Splint, I had seen the page with the plugins. Going back to the page, I looked at FreeCam, and downloaded and installed the package. Using a simple form, it processed it. I...

I downloaded the evaluation, and I am seriously considering Rhino for making sculptured jewelry molds (waxes). My question is, what, other than RhinoCam, will work for this? Funds are somewhat...

This got me thinking . . .

If the workpiece has to travel back and forth along the x axis, it might eventually lead to error.

However, if it could cut along the y axis, and then move, the...

Does the Morse taper have a tang at the end? I bought one from HF, and had to cut and grind the tang off.

Maybe .... you are in luck.

These printers, like any others, need a software driver.
If you do some Google searches, you will come up with
sites like:
...

Thank you everyone ! I was planning to use aluminum, since the gantry will be aluminum too. I found some large drills, and I have taps, so I will try my hand at making some. I will post if I need...

I am talking about the blocks that hold the end of round shafts at each end of the gantry. They have a hole in the middle, and four bolts used to adjust the rods so they will be parallel to each...

To disable the ramping? Thanks

Taig is just a few dollars more . . .

In my opinion jig saw is not the best tool for the job. However, I must admit that since I bought new blades for mine, I have been able to obtain straight and decent cuts. The blades are Bosch...

Clamps: I could not find small ones for my x-y table. I made a few from 1/2" x1/8" steel from the hardware store. I just rounded any sharp edges. For example, I made a set from 2" long bar, 1/4"...

James, glad you got such a good deal on the card and software!

As for clamps, I am not sure what size you are talking about. Enco and Grizzly carry most usual sizes. For small nuts, clamps, etc....

Tim, how bad is the regular (not precision) Acme rod? You talk about polishing it. I don't know how well that can be done.

James, would you mind posting the source for your parallel card? B&B Electronics used to carry them, but they are not listed in the web site. Also the cost. Thanks!

Michael, there is a heat sink that goes with the Minarik controller, to be used when running at full capacity. A few pieces of aluminum angle should make a good heat sink( LLLLL), or even heat sinks...

Michael, treadmill motors are designed for treadmills, and you plug treadmills in the wall outlet, usually 115 VAC at 15 AMP. I think the trick is in the PWM controller, it never gets to draw full...

I might be putting my foot in my mouth, but the treadmill motors run fine from a ready-made Minarik controller, which can be bought surplus for $59 from Surplus Center.

The staff at the thrift shop had no idea what it was, and priced the scope at $20, probes and all. It is an older 40 MHZ unit but works perfectly. I use it with timing signals.

Donny, I have a 4" rotary table that I am planning to convert. It came with a tailstock, and has a #2 Morse taper in it, which is a requirement for my purpose. It is built like a tank, weights...

A few years ago I worked the interface to a chemical analysis machine, which was already obsolete at that time. I used an ISA card that is very similar to a printer port, with a DB25. The BIG...

I don't save junk. Just "parts" ,,,,,,, :drowning:

My current project is a rotary mill. It is more like a lathe with controllable Z axis.
Y, Z and A axes only. Gantry style, but there is no X axis.

Any comments about using a micro-grinder as a spindle?

I just saw an ad for one - 40,000 RPM with 1/8" collet,
needs 2 CFM at 90 PSI. 3/16" flexible air hose.

Thanks! :banana:

For fractional HP I find it easier to use a PWM speed controller and a DC motor. I have a Jet Mini wood lathe that I converted to DC. The motor has an encoder so it is essentially a servo. The...

Glen, have you posted a pic of a machine that uses the Igus rails? I looked at the site and looks good. I need it for the y axis (gantry) and I am planning to use an 80/20 crossbar as a base. ...

Rotary engraver/mill.

What size do you need?