Need help with a Boxford Duet Lathe/Mill

[txcowdog]

I recently acquired two Boxford Duet combination Lathe and Mill. They are missing the power supply and control software. I emailed Boxford asking for their assistance but never received a resopnse even though it appears to be a current machine. Does anyone have any ideas about hooking this thing up and what software I might obtain to make it go, or is the software proprietary? I wouldn't mind building the power supply if I could get a schematic but that still leaves the software problem. If worse comes to worse I can always gut the electronics and start over but I always like the easy way out.

Thanks.

[dougpfaff]

Would you be interested in selling one of them?

[txcowdog]

Actually I bought them both so I could leave one set up in the mill position and the other as a lathe. While it doesn't take long to switch from one position to the other, they only cost $300 each (yes, auctions are sweet) so I figured why not get both and save the three minutes. Thanks for the offer though.

[dougpfaff]

Do you know of anywhere else I can find one? Preferrably used instead of new.

[txcowdog]

I wouldn't know where to look. I had never heard of Boxford before this auction. Apparently they make small machines for teaching at technical colleges and the sort. You might try some of the schools in your area because it is not a production machine. Emco-Maier also makes small teaching machines and I got one of those off Ebay last year and I still see those from time to time there but they fetch prices upward to $1000. I think I got the Boxfords for so little because no one had ever heard of them. It looks like I am going to have to gut the machines electronics and put in a 4 axis controller from HobbyCNC because I can't get any help from Boxford or their distributors.

[dougpfaff]

Do you know of any of their distributors in the US?

[txcowdog]

These were the most directly related links I could find. The first two are USA based and the second two are overseas. The boxford site is www.boxford.co.uk

http://mid-atlantictraining.com/Boxford/duete.html
http://www.advancedtechnologies.net/...s/boxford.html
http://www.genetron.com.sg/dnt/cncmachines.htm
http://www.technologysupplies.co.uk/...l_Machine.html

[vmax549]

TXCOWDOG do you have a picture of the main control board or a model #of the step drivers. I am working on a boxford TCL160 and was wondering if the boards are similar. So far I have mapped out the functions and with a new interface board and speed control board from Bob Campbell designs, it looks to be an easy fix. Most of what was in the cabinet is now gone. I will run it on Mach3 Turn. Terry Parker

[txcowdog]

vmax

Sorry for the delay. I am a manufacturer and the Christmas season keep me slammed to the wall with work. Give me a couple more days and I run that down for you. Thanks for your interest in my project.

[vmax549]

Let me know when you are ready. Terry

[morganblack]

i have two of these machines as well
both have the controllers but the machines take a werd sereal cable that is custom. i havent been able to get the machine to comunicate with the computer yet but i hope to
i have the version 4 software if anyone wants it
it cost me 25 pownds sterling cince it is no longer supported
im currious about retrofitting these machines cince they work as a mill and a lathe..... any info would be great as well as maby starting a support goup!
there a cool little machine that have allot of potential if i could ever get them running
word!

[Controller]

Hi I have just bought one of these and I will be modifying it with new cabling and I think it needs better software, does anyone have circuit diagrams, cabling information, command structure etc also why does it have a serial and parrallel connection to the duet controller? I suspect it uses the parrallel port for stepping the motors is this true? fairly badly informed at the momment but when I get more info will report back.