[SparksStudios]

Well, I've discovered something that might be obvious to others but took me a while to work around.

I tried to blame Bill for the sloppy output of the PCnC machine, (and Lord knows there are all kinds of cheap construction in it!) But I have finally determined that all the lost steps and misalignment errors I was experiencing was due primarily to the under-powered PC I was using.

I had problems with smaller projects but could never see enough of the error to nail down what has happening. Then I tried a really big job, a file of the Mayan calendar, (misnamed Aztec, but available on this forum here: )

Vectric Forum • View topic - "BIG" Job....

The file produced a toolpath over 210,000 lines long! I've cut this file 3 times now. The first two times were an absolute mess, with dropped steps causing gross misalignment errors all over the place.

So I thought I'd try a hunch and upgrade the old Pentium III PC with it's 500Meg memory running XP to something a little more modern.

Well, yesterday I tried the calendar file for the 3rd time, and wouldn't you know? No alignment errors!

It didn't go any faster (still 9 hrs. to cut) but at least everything was in the proper place. So I'm happy to have resolved that.

Not that there still isn't a bunch of things that need fixin on the PCnC machine.

Is anyone still using their machine with a unmodified head assembly? I noticed that even though I had the head reinforced to eliminate flex, that the mounting plate that extends down that the router attaches to is still just a flat piece of metal, that flexes like a diving board when extended down and pushing the router along a deep cut in material.

Maybe I can replace it with something that has a right-angle bend in it for stiffness.

Progress is slow, but it is getting there.

[bdsorcic]

Just so you all can find parts.... those so called "rubber belts" are called Timing Belts and can be purchased at McMaster-Carr in anysize either in circles or plain straight, and the correct size is to fit the PCNC machine is ....... "Trapezoidal-tooth Neoprene Belting, Xl Trade Size, .200" Pitch, 3/8" Width"

[SparksStudios]

Just so you all can find parts.... those so called "rubber belts" are called Timing Belts and can be purchased at McMaster-Carr in anysize either in circles or plain straight, and the correct size is to fit the PCNC machine is ....... "Trapezoidal-tooth Neoprene Belting, Xl Trade Size, .200" Pitch, 3/8" Width"

Perfect! That's what I needed, Thanks bdsorcic!