Messages

201

General Mach Discussion / Re: Step jog wierdness.

« on: June 02, 2014, 11:19:41 AM »

OK, so it looks like nobody has seen this issue so my next question is what version of Mach do most folks use for Mill?  I've been using v.057 since it seems to do pretty well with Turn but maybe it has a quirk when using it for Mill?

202

General Mach Discussion / Step jog wierdness.

« on: May 27, 2014, 09:51:59 PM »

I use Mill infrequently and freely admit the problem is surely self induced.  I use Turn a lot more often & have fewer problems with it.

I frequently use Jog in the step mode, holding down the ctrl key to invoke it.  It'll work as normal for a while but for some unknown reason, I'll press ctrl + an up/down arrow or pg up/pg down key & nothing happens.  Once this occurs, regular jog won't work either unless I press the esc key and then it starts working again but as soon as I press ctrl for a step jog it quits.  The only way to get it going again is to close/re-open Mach.  Also, whenever it's in the ignore mode, MDI commands don't work either.  I can type in a command but nothing happens when I press enter.

Another clue is I found is that if I load a program or run a wizard that generates a  standard beginning line of code, normal operation returns for a while until whatever I do that pi$$es it off happens.  Any ideas?

203

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: 7x12 Mini-Lathe converted to CNC

« on: May 25, 2014, 08:34:04 AM »

Good tips Rich.

Another option for holding drills & reamers is a straight-shanked ER16 collet chuck.  I use a 5/8" shanked chuck which conveniently fits my AXA boring bar holder perfectly.  The ER16 stuff from CTC in Hong Kong is good quality & good value.  Takes 9-12 days to get to the USA but worth the wait.

204

General Mach Discussion / Re: Any Practical, Working, Supported Alternatives to the Parallel Port

« on: May 24, 2014, 08:51:46 PM »

Thanks Gerry, I know my google-fu is puny & weak but man, UC100 & 300 was bringing up wierd stuff!

205

General Mach Discussion / Re: Any Practical, Working, Supported Alternatives to the Parallel Port

« on: May 24, 2014, 08:20:43 PM »

Got a link to the UC100 & 300 controllers you're referring to?

206

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: 7x12 Mini-Lathe converted to CNC

« on: May 24, 2014, 11:13:21 AM »

Looks great!  What did you use for CAM?

207

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: 7x12 Mini-Lathe converted to CNC

« on: May 21, 2014, 01:10:56 PM »

The hardest part now is the CAM software. I haven't found any at a reasonable price yet so I am using the built in MACH wizards.

I got very lucky and bought Dolphin Lathe v10 for a great price from Hood here on the forum.  It has a few quirks but is a very powerful program.  Problem is that I use it so rarely I've never become proficient & struggle every time a need arises.  Most of my stuff is very simple & the Wizards work great.

Those are some great looking tool holders!

208

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: 7x12 Mini-Lathe converted to CNC

« on: May 21, 2014, 11:30:47 AM »

Looks great & works great!  CNC lathes are such fun.

Is that the stock spindle drive motor?  Speed control looks to be very stable.

209

General Mach Discussion / Re: can't send spindle signal

« on: May 05, 2014, 01:54:46 PM »

It's always nice to hear what was done to fix the problem.

Many don't take the time to post the answer; thanks.

210

General Mach Discussion / Re: Question about Dolphin PartMaster Lathe/Mach3 post

« on: April 04, 2014, 09:42:47 AM »

Thanks guys, it's good to see some Dolphin talk as there's not a lot of it around.  Unfortunately, life & other projects have kept me from using it much since the original post last year and I've forgotten most of what I learned.  I was able to successfully make a precisely turned knob for a friend's vintage cooking pot.  It had various blended radii & a couple tool changes and no crop circles or feed rate problems showed up so the T_mach3DcssT post works OK for my v10 anyway.