Wannabe

[chrisb691]

Hi All,

I've been lurking for quite a while, and have decided to build a Joe2006. Don't know what I'll end up doing with it, but I expect to be on a huge high if I ever get it going.

I am currently getting the dimensions onto the CAD drawings, which is going to take quite a while. However, I figure that I can make up router templates for some of the parts, and make/draw at the same time.

Okay, so the first machine will all be about cost. But, if I continue with cnc, I would expect to use this one to make a better one. I would expect that I would reuse the electronics/motors on the second machine.

So now a question, if I may. First machine is 3 axis, to be used mainly with wood. Second one may go 4 axis, so I can fiddle with detailing on turned work. So the question is:- is it okay to buy a 4 axis board up front, and only run it on 3?

Looking forward to doing this, and will give a progress report now and again. I still have about 999,999 unasked questions

[High Seas]

Greetings - and, Welcome to Posting!
IMHO - the smartest thing to do is buy the 4 axis board up front. You'll find that they all will run without a motor attached to the unused axis - and if you smoke just one -- you'd still have 3. If you can wait - seems like excellent value will be had in the new Gecko - soon available as a 4 axis set up.
I went with 3 to start with - then realized shoulda gone 4, now have built the controller as 6 using 2 3's.

So short answer -- yes get 4!

Jim
BTW this is a great forum for asking questions! And, I'm sure you've noted -- there is a heap of info but time consimming to wade through!