Hi all,

this is my first post here but ive been a lurker for awhile.i'm basically building a small custom lathe, which needs (ATM' at least!) a single-axis motion (in addition to the chuck rotation). i just need to true-up a cylinders outer surface- so no 2nd axis needed.

i would like to use a manual control, since adding G-codes for this operation is overkill i feel. now, if im using M3 its pretty straightforward,...

stepper motor-> motor controller-->Break Out Board-->PC-->M3-->G-code inputs

My Question is,.. is there any way to do this without going the Mach3 / PC route?

IE:-
stepper motor-> motor controller-->Manual handwheel type controller

so long as i can set feedrates & specify start-stop limits i think thats pretty much all i need.
end goal is to make this machine Simple & Idiot-Proof. ebay has some handwheels but im not sure if they can do what i need.

PS: To the Mods, if this thread is in the wrong place can you please move it?