Messages

171

General Mach Discussion / Re: Dell PC any good ?

« on: October 13, 2009, 06:02:35 PM »

what's the machine spec on the old Dell? mine is a no-name 900MHz PC that was due for the bin years ago. If yours is anything like a standard PC is should work ok. If it has a parallel port it should work like one. Are you using a breakout board to attach the machine to the computer? This is often a good way forward in order to get a strong signal out and tolerate gummy machine wires. In short we need more information.

If your port is really rubbish you can get PCI parallel port cards for not much. mine use a Moschip chipset and work very well.

172

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Ex-Cell-O Spindle Wizard to retrofit

« on: October 11, 2009, 04:42:43 PM »

Very nice setup! well done.

just a word of warning about expanding-sheave drives like that, we took an XYZ drive apart a few years ago and the spring leapt out and smashed a big chunk out of our workshop wall. Best to be careful Obviously you've got away with it so fair enough.

173

General Mach Discussion / Re: Feedrate override for dummies? Please?

« on: October 04, 2009, 03:18:01 PM »

^^ and they're much cheaper

174

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: my first ever cnc machine build

« on: October 03, 2009, 05:29:02 PM »

Could well be my computer, most people would consider it inferior for the task of propping a door open. it'll just about run a CNC mill

175

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: my first ever cnc machine build

« on: October 02, 2009, 06:18:15 PM »

I have trouble with my PC and USB memory drives. I can be running a program held on the C drive and the steppers will bang and freeze and do all sorts of nonsense while the flash drive is plugged in. Not sure about mice but I'll keep using my serial mouse for now. it works so i won't fix it.

176

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: My first CNC project

« on: September 19, 2009, 11:00:07 AM »

Tidy job! Old scientific equipment tends to be really well made, and fairly simple to work with if all you're doing is converting it to something else. Good going

177

General Mach Discussion / Re: Orac Lives

« on: September 18, 2009, 06:29:55 PM »

Very nice and neat - Well done

178

General Mach Discussion / Re: Going back to Iraq, see ya fellas.......

« on: September 18, 2009, 09:38:20 AM »

Take care matey, come back safe.

179

FAQs / Re: My z plane isn't perfectly level

« on: September 10, 2009, 10:50:23 AM »

a little late perhaps, but how about a metal plate table? it would tend to sink heat out of the plastic. Also, do you have any cooling arrangements in place? Compressed air jets to the tool may help, or water vapour, depending on your electrical arrangements and sealing.

180

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH 3 SUPPORT

« on: September 10, 2009, 09:55:46 AM »

it's a fair point. Mach3 has so many applications it's impossible to offer hardware support. I've seen it used for glue dispensers, mills, lathes, pipe benders, plasma cutters, routers and all sorts of uncommon applications.