Just a quick update, I've got all but the right gantry sides cut and have assembled a little bit more. Need to cut the bearing blocks before I assemble too much more.
On another note, I've noticed that most people are using a break out board. Can someone just give me a quick description of what they are and what are they used for. I currently am using the Xylotex 3 axis controller and am assuming that if I am going to add E-Stop, limit & home switches and possibly a relay for spindle on/off that I am going to need a break out board. From what I've gathered the break out board is to protect the computer and probably myself if my computer starts to flake out or something surges. Now with my setup, do I add the breakout board before or after the xylotex controller. I would think that I could put it either way, but maybe there are some benefits to doing it one way versus the other.
This looks like a good one for my setup, but maybe someone with a similar setup has some experience that could chime in and give some advice.
http://www.cnc4pc.com/Parallel_Port_Interface_Card.htm
Thanks,
James