Hello all,

I'm looking into stepper/driver board kits, and need to make a decision soon. I'm purchasing an X2 from Harbor freight and want a NEMA 23 stepper set up. From what I'm finding most are set up for parallel ports. My HP laptop runs Vista and has no parallel port. I did find adapter cables on the net for linking a USB into Parallel port printers. Has anyone tried this? Would I be better off to use my ancient PC for my controler? I'm planning on using Mach3. Thanks!

JJ

I did find adapter cables on the net for linking a USB into Parallel port printers. Has anyone tried this?

Won't work. You have a few options.

Use your old PC if it's 1 Ghz or faster, although it might work if it's a little slower.

Use a SmoothStepper, which emulates two parallel ports through a USB connection. www.warp9td.com

Use a ncPod. www.oemtech.com

Both the SmoothStepper and ncPod have Mach3 plugins available.

I run EMC2 on an ancient (100MHz pentium something or other, 256MB ram) dumpster PC. I'm able to get plenty of speed and run it with the full GUI (Axis) without any trouble. If you're trying to save money you can probably get a machine like this out of your neighbor's garage or on Craigslist for next to nothing.

I run EMC2 on an ancient (100MHz pentium something or other, 256MB ram) dumpster PC.

Wow, if it's Intel, possibly an original Pentium ? PII at best. Glad it works for you :)
According to the linuxcnc wiki some PII's have very adequate realtime performance.
Maybe it's a linux thing ;)

What are the advantages to using a laptop for cnc? Other than the logic of "I already own it" ? Portability?

advantages of a cnc desktop
1) Usable units with good parallel port easy to find. Used is ok imho. Just think of it as "pre-tested" :)
2) Most of the parts can be placed in a safe location away from chips and flying tools. Under the bench works well. Get a rubber cover for the keyboard.
3) Parts are mostly cheap and easy to replace. Easier to build to your liking also.

advantages of a cnc laptop
1) Takes up less real estate.
2) Cnc programs can be created and simulation- tested away from the mill's location. This is easily worked around with the desktop alternative however.
3) Can't think of a third advantage atm.

If using Mach3 there may be another consideration. Some opinions* I've read on this forum suggest the computer with Mach3 should be kept as clean as possible. In other words a dedicated machine. What else do you need that laptop for ?

*This may or may not be a majority opinion.* I don't use Mach3, hearsay only etc.

EDIT/ Way OT but....
sansbury, according to wikipedia PII's start at 233 clockspeed. Are you sure the machine is 100MHz? I just installed Ubuntu 8.0.4 on a friends 400 MHz PII. It works but is noticably slower than my own 900 MHz PIII.

Further to the laptop topic. Using one for cnc may require changes to the bios that make it unpleasant for normal use.