stepper controllers - - -help please

[camfambmw5]

Hey all, new-bee here. I just acquired 4 NEMA34 305oz stepper motors. I want to be able to control a compound milling table with them. Problem is this: "I no that I need to be able to send signals to them (obviously)..I have no idea what I need to buy. How do I determine what type of controller(s) I need? I have an extra P4 PC (XP operating system). I am looking for a cheap way to get up and running in an attempt to learn the very basics. After I acquire the basic skills, I might want to attack building my own CNC Router table...just don't know where to start and want to fiddle with the stepping motors I just got....can anyone help?

Thanks a bunch in advance to all who help...seems like a great group of people to hang (e-chat) with.

John
Chicago Area

[JOE65]

I think one of the best places to start would be tutorial section at
Good luck with your new motors you'll have a blast with this new hobby!

[turmite]

Since you already have the xp running I would take a hard look at the Mach2 software at www.artofcnc.ca This is pretty powerful 6axis controller that has most of the bells and whistles and it is only around $150 USD. If you aree going to micro step you will need drivers capable of that. If you are going full or half step email me as I have some stuff I am getting ready to sell. My email
address is: XturnercustomsX@earthlink.neXt Take the capital X's out since I am trying to cut down on my amount of Spam intake!!!

turmite

[pacosoide]

Check your steppers and see what are the volts and amps ratings on it. Then you can think on getting a controller capable of handling those 2 parameters. Xylotex.com has a good controller for about 125.00. Possibly the best out there for the price.
Good luck, Jose.

[Verboten]

If the xylotex drive will not have the capability that you need (I would be pleasantly surprised if it did) then try the geckodrive website - The G201 or G210 - an awesome product that will do what you want & that would hold much of its value should you want to sell it.

Keep us posted on your build.

[Verboten]

Also, check out the "white paper" at the geckodrive site (in the support section.)

After you get your drives you may be in a better position to evaluate the software options that are available (many or all of them will work depending on what you want to do).