593,415 active members*
5,772 visitors online*
Register for free
Login
IndustryArena Forum > WoodWorking Machines > Commercial CNC Wood Routers > Trying to fix/modernize a 10+ year old CM Stinger SR-23. Is it worth it?
Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2024
    Posts
    3

    Question Trying to fix/modernize a 10+ year old CM Stinger SR-23. Is it worth it?

    Found an old CNC machine that someone is selling that has been stuck it storage for about 6 years.(Picture attached) They let us take it home so we could see if we could get it running. Unfortunately it seems the PC is dead as I can not get it to post. (I tried PC troubleshooting steps like replacing the CMOS battery and nothing has worked) We've talked to Camaster and they said the Router is the only thing worth anything on the machine. They mentioned that we could try and upgrade it by changing the controller to Centroid and rewiring the motors and sensors. So here are my questions.

    -Is there a way to turn on the router to confirm that it works without the PC/controller?
    -Is Centroid a good solution for the long-term or should we just buy a replacement PC?
    -The CNC uses an air assist to help lift the machine head, is there a way to upgrade it so it doesn't need air?
    -Is is worth it?

    We are will to put in the time and money to fix it up and upgrade it wherever possible but I don't want it to turn into a huge money sink that would have been better if we just bought a new machine. I have some experience with CNC machining as we have a small desktop CNC/Laser/3D Printer called Snapmaker, but what we want to crave now is bigger than what the desktop machine can do. Any help and suggestions will be appreciated. Thank you!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Posts
    5835

    Re: Trying to fix/modernize a 10+ year old CM Stinger SR-23. Is it worth it?

    That looks like a pretty good machine, with a nice spindle and 4th axis. When you say the computer won't "post" - does that mean it won't boot up? Or is it not communicating with the router? Is there a separate control box? Is there a VFD to control the spindle? Most CNC machines of that era used either a proprietary controller, like the Centroid you mention, which had its own computer built in, or used a PC running something like Mach3. If it was the latter, it wouldn't be too hard to set up another old PC like that and load Mach3/4 on it. But it would be helpful if Camaster would provide the XML file for Mach, or at least the pinouts, so you could configure it correctly. Failing that, another Centroid controller would be a viable option, although not a cheap one. The Z axis probably will drop the head on power-off if the air system isn't operational, but you could probably set up a gas spring system to replace the pneumatic one.

    Whether all this is worth it depends on how much the seller is asking for this machine as-is, how much time and energy you want to devote to the project of making it work, and how much cooperation you get from Camaster.
    Andrew Werby
    Website

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Posts
    4918

    Re: Trying to fix/modernize a 10+ year old CM Stinger SR-23. Is it worth it?

    Hi,
    if you are referring to Centroid Acorn,and I assume you are, then it runs on a PC and that in turn talks to the motion control. Thus even with Centroid Acorn you will need a working PC.

    Craig

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2024
    Posts
    3

    Re: Trying to fix/modernize a 10+ year old CM Stinger SR-23. Is it worth it?

    PC turns on with lights and fans but no video output, I have tried putting a video card in to see if integrated graphics was the issue but no dice. There is a control box with a serial port that the PC plugs into. It does have a VFD on the side of the control box, but I couldn't figure out how to work it. Its definitely a proprietary controller and PC since its the one that came with the machine.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2024
    Posts
    3

    Re: Trying to fix/modernize a 10+ year old CM Stinger SR-23. Is it worth it?

    Thank you, I know it will still need a PC, I have a spare one. I was just trying to see if it would be better to convert it to Centroid then buying a new CNC PC. Is it possible to retro-fit the spare PC to use it with the current control box? I would need a CNC card to plug into the motherboard of the PC right?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Posts
    4918

    Re: Trying to fix/modernize a 10+ year old CM Stinger SR-23. Is it worth it?

    Hi,
    I rather suspect that trying to use the existing control box will be very hard, one because it is old technology and two because you have no manufacturer support.

    I personally use Mach4 and an Ethernet SmoothStepper and have done for nearly ten years and is my recommendation......but please note I am biased!!!

    Another good choice is UCCNC and one of their motion controllers like the UC300. It is a very fair competitor to Mach4 in term of price and capability.

    No conversation about CNC control systems would be complete without mentioning LinuxCNC. It runs on a real-time capable distro of Linux. It is best matched with one of the Mesa control boards.
    It is very capable, in fact universally capable if you are OK with Linux and coding in C. LinuxCNC is free and open source very appealing...if you like Linux.

    Centroid Acorn is a more 'turn key' commercial solution. It may lack some of the flexibility of the other solutions, but is pretty well polished. Once you start adding extra features like a wireless pendant, and
    the 'Pro' version of the CNC software the price starts to go up, but many Centroid Acorn users report excellent results.

    There are other solutions like Masso, Edging, PlanetCNC and an even greater number of Gcode sender types typified by GRBL, all worthy of investigation, the the first four of my recommendations are the top of my list.

    Craig

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    1738

    Re: Trying to fix/modernize a 10+ year old CM Stinger SR-23. Is it worth it?

    Quote Originally Posted by joeavaerage View Post
    Hi,
    I rather suspect that trying to use the existing control box will be very hard, one because it is old technology and two because you have no manufacturer support.

    I personally use Mach4 and an Ethernet SmoothStepper and have done for nearly ten years and is my recommendation......but please note I am biased!!!

    Another good choice is UCCNC and one of their motion controllers like the UC300. It is a very fair competitor to Mach4 in term of price and capability.

    No conversation about CNC control systems would be complete without mentioning LinuxCNC. It runs on a real-time capable distro of Linux. It is best matched with one of the Mesa control boards.
    It is very capable, in fact universally capable if you are OK with Linux and coding in C. LinuxCNC is free and open source very appealing...if you like Linux.

    Centroid Acorn is a more 'turn key' commercial solution. It may lack some of the flexibility of the other solutions, but is pretty well polished. Once you start adding extra features like a wireless pendant, and
    the 'Pro' version of the CNC software the price starts to go up, but many Centroid Acorn users report excellent results.

    There are other solutions like Masso, Edging, PlanetCNC and an even greater number of Gcode sender types typified by GRBL, all worthy of investigation, the the first four of my recommendations are the top of my list.

    Craig

    This is a nice machine nd easy to convert to a new controlled. The Centroid Acorn is very straight forward with lots of support. It comes with CNc software so your upgraded system will be compatible with most cad and cam systems. Everything is designed to work together and is tested by many beta testers before it goes public. You need a pc that meets their specs but the software supports touch screen but is not required. Look at the Dynomotion support center and you will find many examples and lots of users who will help

    Russ

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    1292

    Re: Trying to fix/modernize a 10+ year old CM Stinger SR-23. Is it worth it?

    I would suspect that any PC made this century will have vastly more capability than a smallish axis machine requires.The biggest challenge of a change would be identifying the connections and assigning locations for them with any new controller.It might take so long that the process makes no commercial sense.If there is a well established computer repair business near you it might make sense to have them take a look at the computer and then to hope they have a box of old parts to raid if any are needed.If a newer computer and controller are required,the process is well documented and not that difficult once you have traced all the cables.It gets more complicated once you get to the stage of incorporating limits switches and homing routines,then establishing Z datum.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Posts
    329

    Re: Trying to fix/modernize a 10+ year old CM Stinger SR-23. Is it worth it?

    From your description, it seems that using the current controller will be a bit difficult. I think the friend's suggestion is very comprehensive. I also recommend using Mach4 and Ethernet SmoothStepper.
    E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.elephant-cnc.com
    --------------Jinan Blue Elephant CNC Machinery Co., Ltd-------------

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 16
    Last Post: 07-03-2024, 11:54 AM
  2. Tramming a new stinger 1
    By KT88saturate in forum Camaster
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 04-02-2021, 10:00 PM
  3. Stinger Gantry Construction?
    By jevs in forum Camaster
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 04-12-2014, 03:38 PM
  4. Stinger II question.
    By JasC in forum Camaster
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 01-16-2011, 10:58 PM
  5. CAMaster Stinger
    By Cut to the Bone in forum Camaster
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 11-18-2010, 12:24 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •