Mach Community,
I am hoping that once again you guys can provide some input and advice for me!!!! The winter time is upon us and I am finally starting to get some time to get back out in the shop and get back after it. Some of you have probably read or even commented on some of my previous posts. Although I had no intentions of ever cutting gunstocks, that's how things just ended up!!! Now to add some personalized touches on the guns we are doing my gunsmithing buddy has approached me about doing some engraving on the barrels. Although I am somewhat skeptical about chucking up a barrel that has hours of work in it, I have decided to give it a whirl. At this point in time the software I have is fully capable of 4th axis engraving although I am not sure how capable I am!!!! The main problem I have is the machine. When I built router I wasn't certain if it would ever be functional. I felt very good about the mechanical aspect, but wasn't to certain on the electrical. I bought a 4 axis kit from Keling and rough wired to the computer to make sure it would work before I ever started the build. Once I had movement, I then proceeded with the rest of the build. By the time I slaved the y axis for dual drive on the gantry, added home switches for each axis, and added the estop circuit and limit switches, I had consumed my C10 Bob. My question is, is there a usb bob that I could get for driving the 4th axis only? My machine runs great now without any issues. I am a little weary of completely upgrading to a new bob for the 4th axis when it will only be used occasionally. My plan is to add the fourth axis and tailstock to a plate that I will bolt on when I need it. Any input or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jamie