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IndustryArena Forum > MetalWorking Machines > Benchtop Machines > HARBOR FREIGHT 7X10 MINI LATHE CNC CONVERSION
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  1. #1
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    Aug 2017
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    HARBOR FREIGHT 7X10 MINI LATHE CNC CONVERSION

    I've slowly put together my conversion to cnc on my little lathe and have got everything on and ready but i am at a standstill with my stepper motors not working. i am using mach 3 and have configured my axis,e-stop,etc. i am using plug and play stuff, a gecko g540 driver, nema23 stepper motors, have windows 7, parallel is wired straight from computer into my driver then my x,z, cables from my motors into the driver. the green power light is on without any faults.and when i turn everything on they make a slight hum noise. when i try to jog from mach3 they do nothing. it shows on the mach app that they're moving but the machine does nothing. does anyone have any idea what i'm missing here? thanks!

  2. #2
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    Aug 2017
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    Re: HARBOR FREIGHT 7X10 MINI LATHE CNC CONVERSION

    https://youtu.be/oWwnAoPtjM8 i made a short video of my issues on my channel. im hoping its something obvious. im new to this

  3. #3
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    .

  4. #4
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    Jul 2016
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    Re: HARBOR FREIGHT 7X10 MINI LATHE CNC CONVERSION

    Use the LPT1 port then I can guide you through it

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by KH0UJ View Post
    Use the LPT1 port then I can guide you through it
    (LPT1 Port?) I don't know what that is but I will google that right now and see if I can switch it. Give me just a few minutes. I appreciate your help greatly!

  6. #6
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    Jul 2016
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    Re: HARBOR FREIGHT 7X10 MINI LATHE CNC CONVERSION

    You need a male to male LPT1 port cable since your gecko drive is a female connector and your PC is also a female connector



    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails img_45761.jpg  

  7. #7
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    Re: HARBOR FREIGHT 7X10 MINI LATHE CNC CONVERSION

    okay i have found the same parallel cord you have depicted and have the driver also. now what do do?

  8. #8
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    Re: HARBOR FREIGHT 7X10 MINI LATHE CNC CONVERSION

    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails parallel and driver pic.jpg  

  9. #9
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    Aug 2017
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    Re: HARBOR FREIGHT 7X10 MINI LATHE CNC CONVERSION

    does anyone know the settings for the ports and pins? or a way to find out?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
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    95

    Re: HARBOR FREIGHT 7X10 MINI LATHE CNC CONVERSION

    Quote Originally Posted by ENEEL View Post
    does anyone know the settings for the ports and pins? or a way to find out?
    Ensure that the port address for the checked port (port enabled in config ports and pins) that Mach3 will be using is the same as the address indicated in Device manager for the same port. Example for LPT1 (port #1) address D050 (0xd050);

    Attachment 371366

    Note that your port address will probably be different.

  11. #11
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    Re: HARBOR FREIGHT 7X10 MINI LATHE CNC CONVERSION

    https://youtu.be/G3_r8lfxgek here is my configuration on the com ports

  12. #12
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    Re: HARBOR FREIGHT 7X10 MINI LATHE CNC CONVERSION

    https://youtu.be/3Nj4oSA9DzI
    If you watch one of the videos make sure its this one. I finally covered everything in one video. sorry for the delay, this one walks through my entire setup and configurations. if you understand this stuff at all then it should be an easy catch. Thanks guys!

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    2083

    Re: HARBOR FREIGHT 7X10 MINI LATHE CNC CONVERSION

    see page 62 of the mach 3 manual to setup the motor outputs

    Click image for larger version. 

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    use the pin numbers printed on the G540

    if an axis runs in the wrong direction change the direction pin setting to active low

    John

  14. #14
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    Re: HARBOR FREIGHT 7X10 MINI LATHE CNC CONVERSION

    This is what you lack on your settings.



    You need to set the red square with the values suggested by gecko, on the chinese machines it`s X=2,3 Y=5,6 Z=7,8, it all depends on what model, some are a bit odd some are standardized, after that if all your axis move go back here to re calibration steps, if you know what to do on axis calibration I think you proceed on that

  15. #15
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    Re: HARBOR FREIGHT 7X10 MINI LATHE CNC CONVERSION

    I show that I have already defined them in the video

  16. #16
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    Re: HARBOR FREIGHT 7X10 MINI LATHE CNC CONVERSION

    Wait can you show us the BIOS on your PC? something like this>>>>>>>


    First you need to boot up in the BIOS of you PC and take a look on this settings on LPT1 port configuration, or just post here your motherboard model let me look it for you and post here what you need to set on the advanced settings on the parallel port

  17. #17
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    Aug 2017
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    Re: HARBOR FREIGHT 7X10 MINI LATHE CNC CONVERSION

    where can i find my motherboard info? i will send you the info.i am new at this so nothing makes much sense yet. thank you for helping so much!

  18. #18
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    Jul 2016
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    660

    Re: HARBOR FREIGHT 7X10 MINI LATHE CNC CONVERSION

    The most accurate way to identify your motherboard model is to open your PC case, take a peek on the numbers or just post a picture on it and post it here, we can locate and identify it for you or just power up your PC then press delete or f2 (really depends on motherboard model) to enter BIOS environment.

    or just type DXDIAG on the run on start menu to find your motherboard model, or download CPU-Z and run it to find your motherboard model that`s if your on windows environment.

  19. #19
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    Aug 2017
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    Quote Originally Posted by KH0UJ View Post
    the most accurate way to identify your motherboard model is to open your PC case, take a peek on the numbers or just post a picture on it and post it here, we can locate and identify it for you or just power up your PC then press delete or f2 (really depends on motherboard model) to enter BIOS environment.
    I will do this right now. Give me a few minutes and I will post it

  20. #20
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    Aug 2017
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    BIOS Version =A15

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