Help retro fit bp cnc

[arrowglide]

well I have decided to jump in to the would of cnc.my experience is little as far as machining goes but I have work with machine shop’s on my proto type’s and some of the way to set them up. I have done a lot of home work on all the in and out’s of the retro’s and such and now I could use the help of all you expert’s out there in getting the most out of the machine that I have pickup. I need it to do proto type work along with the ability to do small run’s. I have been playing with future cam and would like some input on that. Is the Ajax the way to go or is there a better way! I have no problem with rebuilding it from the ground up but is it necessary to do that! And how about the power source . from all the info I have read on this forum and with the help of you I fell that I’m in good hand’s. Bridgeport series 1 cnc 2hp thank’s for the help-arrowglide

[Karl_T]

I used to own a series 1 - great machine. That looks like a stepper on the quill. Correct? If so, I'd take a serious look a Mach 2 by Art Ferney - he has a great inexpensive CNC control just for a machine like this. There's a group here and also a good one on Yahoo.

One piece of advice for later - learn to Gcode and learn it well before using a Cad/cam package. Most parts are better programmed at the machine and you got to understand the output from a cad/cam package.

Good Luck

Karl

[ViperTX]

You can also check out the last 6 issues or so of Home Shop Machinist....it details Updating the CNC on a Bridgeport.

[arrowglide]

thank's for the input guy.I'm looking at the gakco 201's with the mach-and breakout's.arrowglide

[Karl_T]

You've got A LOT more stepper than a Gecko can drive. It will work but you're crippling your machine. Sorry, I didn't keep the specs. when I did a series 1 - you'd best find them. I do remember gecko wasn't even close.

Karl

[moto21]

It all matters what feature you want. Looks lik you dont have all the bells and whishels(varible speed control, air brake, etc...) so you mite be better off with a gecko and servo setup. I wouldnt recommend steppers for that system and servos run better. I now people that run series 1 with gecko and they run good but thats with servos and not steppers. Thats just from what I see in the photos thought. Ajax is the way to go if you have all the features( thats what Im doing on my current boss) Just my 2 cents
Have fun
~Brad