Around the beginning of this year I started and have been slowly putting together a Desktop CNC Mill(6"x18"x7"). This is a mostly off the shelf parts build. It's not a conversion or kit though. I may post a full tutorial on what parts I used and how I put it all together when I am done and have tested it.
For the moment though I would like to ask you guys for an opinion and if you choose to weigh in can you please give me some pros and cons about why you would do it one way or the other.
The question is would you go with a stand-alone unit like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/US-4-Axis-s...YAAOSw50JbRwIa
or would you use a desktop PC?
I have two desktop PC that have both Parallel and USB ports on them, one is running Windows XP and the other is has Linux Ubuntu on it so I could go with either Mach3/4 or with LinuxCNC(EMC2) but I am wondering if I would like the untethered ability of the Stand-Alone Controller like in the link?
Ohh and here's a picture of the machine as it sits right now. https://imgur.com/BUmMTnm.jpg Long ways to go, lead screws have to be swapped out with antibacklash, stepper mounts have to be made, spindle mount and spindle motor have to be mounted and the z-axis is only clamped on right now...and more.
Your opinions on Stand-alone vs Desktop and why you would choose one over the other would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.