80's vintage Thermwood upgrade

[danielcoyle]

Looking at buying a 2'x4' Router with a 380V Pershke 8.8 kW spindle motor and unipolar step motors that I (think) I would want to replace with an upgrade along with the drivers and controller. I am mostly repeating what's been explained to me so far by a few folks. My understanding is that I could replace the controller with a Mach PC system? and I've seen several upgrade kits online for the driver and motors that start at several hundred dollars and go up and up. Anyone have any sense of how complicated this would be and what I might expect to spend? The machine itself is 1200 bucks as is. Any other ideas would be welcome.

[atypicalguy]

Looking at a Similar upgrade on an early c70. Did you accomplish anything useful with your machine upgrade? Thanks.

[danielcoyle]

well... i have mostly been just trying to gather information to determine if the upgrade is possible without spending loads of time and money. Generally gotten feedback that I should be able to do the work (replace drivers, motors, new spindle, pc based controller etc.) for under 3000, maybe less. Trying to determine whether to go with servo or step motors. Haven't done this work before and am newer to CNC in general so I am trying not to get in over my head.

Was hoping to find some good info by posting this thread but, obviously, i will need to keep my fingers crossed at this point waiting for someone who has a bit of experience with this.

If I go ahead with the project I'll repost and let you know what I decided on and how it worked out.