X2 CNC Conversion questions

[mwood3]

I know that this same thing has been asked many times, but I would like to start my own thread to get all my info in one place, I am about to order an X2 and CNC it, I have a budget of about $1500.00 not including Tooling and the like...

So my first question is this...If I bought an X2 from Harbor Freight $489.00, This CNCFusion Kit - Mini-Mill CNC kit #4 - with X-Y BALLSCREWS $559.00, and this kit from Keling - 6: CNC 3 Axis Package with 425 oz-in motor and KL-4030 Bipolar
Driver with 36V /8.8A Power Supply: $379

I also have the PC lined up with trial version of Mach 3

What else would I need to get a basic system going?
I know about the electronics enclosure, tooling, vise/workholding etc...I just need to know about mill specific stuff to get it running...

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[ellik]

This would be a great way to start! Read the thread below.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61345

[Tallen]

The LMS tooling kit should get you all the basics you'll need. Then you can build from there.

[mwood3]

Thank you for your reply, however I have already read that thread, My main question was if the above mentioned kits can be considered complete in the sense that I will not have to buy anything else to get going? or will I need more? I really want to use Hoss mods to make an X2 Freak but I currently do not have another machine so I wanted to start with a kit that needed little to no machining to get up and running.

[Tallen]

Ah, I see. Must have misread. I too Kitted my CNC out. The Hobby CNC and CNC Fusion were easy and quick. I had mine up and running within a few days and did not need anything more than what was in the kits.

Not a bad idea to start thinking about some sort of enclosure since those chips find their way everywhere. Also you may want to think about doing a belt drive/controller upgrade since that will only cost you under $200.

As far as machine cost, I conned HF to use the 20% coupon and it only cost me $390! Give it a shot.
Oh and have you verified proper function of your parallel port?

[mwood3]

Not a bad idea to start thinking about some sort of enclosure since those chips find their way everywhere. Also you may want to think about doing a belt drive/controller upgrade since that will only cost you under $200.

As far as machine cost, I conned HF to use the 20% coupon and it only cost me $390! Give it a shot.
Oh and have you verified proper function of your parallel port?

As for the enclosure, I know what you mean...I am in charge of a CNC Machine shop with near 100 CNC Mills and Lathes...they all are full flood coolant/enclosure machines...but I do know the mess that can be made in a hurry...

Tell me more about the belt drive/controller upgrade...are we talking about the spindle here?

I do plan on using the coupon and I have a HF about 35 miles away from me...

I already have Mach 3 on my PC but have no idea of how to check the Parallel port function...any tips would be appreciated...

thx for your response

Matt

[Tallen]

http://szabaga.com/x2/power/
Copied from the old Harrison page.
The used boards on eBay can be found for about $30. I used the factory controller box and everything fit well. Even re-used the factory wire. All you'll need is some female spade connectors and a little ingenuity. I noticed a large increase in torque and spindle speed.

The belt drive goes without saying. Quiet, reliable, faster.

Here is the monitor HobbyCNC recommended.
http://www.geekhideout.com/parmon.shtml

[hoss2006]

..I am in charge of a CNC Machine shop with near 100 CNC Mills and Lathes...

Matt

Put one of them to work and crank out a kit from the free plans.
dxf's and stl's of the parts are available.
the majority of the parts can be made manually on the mill and you can't get any cheaper than DIY.
You can save enough to upgrade to the g540 keling kit.
Keep in mind this is just the tip of the iceberg, If you stay interested in the hobby
you are going to find LOTS of stuff down the road that you must have all of a sudden.
Take your time, spend a little here, a little there, you'll have a complete workshop before you know it.
Hoss

[mwood3]

Ok, I downloaded the parallel port monitor...what should I be looking for? I see I can Manipulate the settings, will this all be Driver specific?

[mwood3]

Unfortunately I do not get to "play" with the 400k toys hoss -.-, Toyota is a very strict company and even if I could each machine is set up to run 1 dedicated part over and over about one every 40 secs... 24 hrs a day... Work is just my learning tool and means to afford this hobby

That being said, I plan on getting this first machine going, then using it to make a freak x2, enclosed flood coolant monster :O

2 X2's are better than 1 :P

and btw, there is tons of stuff I "just have to have" right now ...

is the g540 keling kit worth the extra money in your opinion?

[hoss2006]

I hear ya, wish I could get some CNC time at work but those pesky company jobs take priority.
Can't let us have any fun.
You can get more than adequate performance from the keling drivers, my videos show that,
but the g540 is newer, faster and better.
$200 better? that's your call.
You don't HAVE to buy the best of everything to have fun.
Hoss

[mwood3]

I do recall you mentioning something about a limited choice for micro stepping with the G540's would that have major disadvantages?

[hoss2006]

it's stuck at 10 microsteps but "morphs" to much less at rapid speed.
Supposed to be a good thing.
I generally keep mine at 1/2 or 1/4 all the time which is possible with the keling drivers.
You get more torque at the lower rates, see the chart below from micromo.
microstepping has it's benefits too.
"• Reduced Mechanical Noise.
• Gentler Actuation Mechanically
• Reduces Resonances Problem"
Hoss