[drakesis]

Hi All,
I was wondering if anyone has used these controllers?

http://www.lowcostcncretrofits.com/

looking for feedback. Thanks

[Scott_bob]

Ever heard the phase:

You get what you pay for?
Not always, but if something sounds to good to be true, it usually is.

The best things in life, are not dirt cheap!

Sincerely,
Scott_bob

[anoel]

Dude... For $699 that's a really crappy deal....

That controller has no inputs/outputs for Home and Limits. and those steppers.... Puh-leese... 7.5 degree.... ugh.... You'd have to gear them down to get any resolution. There goes speed out the window....

A Xylotex controller with the steppers they sell and a 24v power supply will run you less money and out perform that setup easy...

Hell for that matter you could go with 3 Gecko 201 drives power supply and steppers and still come out cheaper...

No "Low Cost CNC Retrofit" there...

(Note this is my own opinion and is not biased toward any particular manufacturer. Tax, Tags and Title not included. Action Figures sold separately. And any other disclaimers that you can think of...)

[pack rat]

They even have it with gecko's 201 for $1299 which makes it even crappier deal IMHO.

[yukonho]

I just got my router up an running. I am using Xylotex controller with the steppers they had on sale. I got a 24V power supply off ebay for 20 buck. I downloaded MAch2 (fantastic!) My total price was $250 including shipping. The setup I have works awesome. Honestly, plenty of speed on the rapids, even using 1/4-20 threaded rod for my leadscrews and 24V, 36"/min jograte. Get the xylotex stuff. First rate, works great, inexpensive, true chopper drive. You will be happy and richer!
co

[buscht]

How about this?
http://www.denvercnc.com/controller.htm

[ger21]

The DenverCNC box is a Xylotex inside.

Gerry

[mysterious]

ger21,
Is it a fact that Denvercnc uses the same xylotex boards from their website? If they are I think it is an ok deal for a packaged product.

[ger21]

That's what I've read, but you may want to check into it to verify it. Try emailing Jeff at Xylotex, I'm sure he'll let you know.

Gerry

[ynneb]

I am so glad to have found this forum. I was about to buy the talked about lowcost setup.

Now I am very confused. Do I use servos or steppers. Do I use Gecko or Xylotex.

I am looking to build a 4' x 8' router table to cut 10mm customwood.

Arrrrrrrrh, the more imformation I get the harder it is to descide.

[ninewgt]

For 1200..... Id look at getting Gecko 201's, and Ability Systems Indexer and G-Code controller - Very smooth running, accurate, easy to setup and proven in the field. I have it on my machine and love it.........

Go for steppers - Great accuracy, easy setup, less cost.....

[turmite]

I have the Mach2 controller which is $159 ?? U.S. and that is a bargin. Support is second to none. I also use the Gecko 201s and steppers. I will be build my own design machine sometime this spring or summer ( I hope ). I had intended to use servo's with the Rutex drivers due to their higher voltage but after seeing the results of the Mach2/Gecko/stepper combo I may well go that route again. Whatever you decide to do.........please take my advice and don't get in a hurry. BTW the Mach2 has something in excess of 500 members on a Yahoo board that are as helpful as here.

Paul I didn't mean that, really I didn't I promise!!


Oh yes something I almost forgot. Gecko is coming out with a new controller (you'll still need drivers) that will output in the ___________ of pulses per sec. How about a stepper turning ____ rpm. I won't post the actual numbers till I verify them but they are unbelievable!


Mike

[ger21]

No offense Ninewgt, but you seem to be the only one here using the Ability products. There was a recent thread on the DIY-CNC group about the lack of updates for the Ability stuff and the fact that Mach2 is now an equal or superior product, for about $500 cheaper. And I'm sure there are a lot of happy Mach2 users here who will agree with that, as Mike just mentioned. Why spend $500 for nothing?

Gerry

[turmite]

Well now ger I didn't exactly say that! I am not tyring to knock the Ability system because I used an earlier version of LPT indexer for 11 yrs. It was by no means a speedy system but once you got a program made it would never miss a lick. I almost bought the Ability system again this time around but stumbled on Mach2 while surfing the web. It had a free download with some limitations but you could try it as long as you wanted. The thing I like most about it right now is the support. I don't know of any other software guy who would have spent the time on the ph with me as Art Fenerty has.

Just to give you an idea of how the Mach2 compares to my old system, which is kinda unfair but it is the only thing I have to compare it to, I ran my first good products today after having a z axis problem.

Time on the old system for the same part was: 1 1/2 hr including indexing a 4th axis rotary table by hand.

Time on the Mach2 was 23 min 40 sec.

Can you see the grin on my face BTW the url for Mach2 is

www.artofcnc.ca

Mike

[ger21]

Sorry Mike, I didn't mean to imply that you disliked Indexer, just that Mach 2 for most people is probably a better option, and a much better price. Head over to DIY-CNC and read the info on Indexer over there. The thread was last week or the week before.

Gerry