just wondering... (probably a dumb question)

[roll_tide]

if these kinda threaded rods are good enough to put on a small machine.. http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?P...&PMPXNO=942694 im new here and want to build a cheap cnc router. i know nothing about how to build them other than from what ive read. any advice would be appriciated. i need the machine to be about 3-4 feet by 3-4 feet and 4 or 5 inch deep cut. thinking about using 80/20 t slot and mdf.. and this controller and motor setup since its cheap and everything is there i need heres a link to the controller/motors http://www.dsns.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=84

[Eurisko]

Please don't do it. I can't imagine any router running with that package.

The steppers (100 oz-in) are too small, the power supply ( 12V @ 5A ) is puny, the threaded rod (1/2-10 acme) will work, but there are better alternatives for a bit more money.

Build the router. Consider how much weight you'll need to move, and how much friction there is in the setup. Consider multiple-start acme rod. Read some more posts. There is a ton of information here; I wish that it were a bit more organized.

Once you've done all that, the choice of motors and electronics will be easy.

[roll_tide]

thanks, like i said i know very little about how itll work. i just mainly dont have a lot to spend. maybe i can find a place to source a few parts from.. it dont have to be too terribly big.. i just mainly want to do the project to see if i can do it.

[dertsap]

you can easily upgrade the threaded rod down the road if you choose to use that .
take a look at the gecko drivers , they have the 540 drivers which are a good price and are top quality in product and support , also take a look at hobbycnc , guys have had great success with them

[roll_tide]

Originally Posted by dertsap you can easily upgrade the threaded rod down the road if you choose to use that . take a look at the gecko drivers , they have the 540 drivers which are a good price and are top quality in product and support , also take a look at hobbycnc , guys have had great success with them

i dont kno much about the electrical part of the setup, so id have to have something thats already soldered lol. so is either of those drivers/motor packages already assembled? im sure i could figure out how to solder it, but i dont have the money to replace one if i damage it.. i need something thats dummy proof lmao

[dertsap]

the hobbycnc is a solder project , the geckos are complete drivers and are easy to connect using simple directions
take a look at the gecko forum , there is tons of reading and info for you

[roll_tide]

ok so the gecko drive would be the way to go but from what i understand you have to buy 3 of them plus some other kind of board to link them plus the motors plus a power supply... plus god knows what else.. is it really worth all that? (i bet i got all that wrong.. haha)

[dertsap]

Originally Posted by roll_tide ok so the gecko drive would be the way to go ?

more so than any other possible option , and yes you need three

its fairly simple , you connect your pc to a breakout board , from your breakout board you send the signal to the driver , you need to connect a power supply to the driver to supply the motor and a 5v power supply to supply power to the logic on the controller , then you wire the motor to the driver , it may sound a bit complicated but its not and there is ducumentation to walk you through it

as far as deciding which motors are best suited for your application i would suggest you plan to sit down for a number of days and do some reading through the diy forum and see what everyone else has used for their setup , we all have our opinion of what is the best motor and power configuration but that is generally what we have found to be the best solution for our own setup

[roll_tide]

Originally Posted by dertsap more so than any other possible option , and yes you need three its fairly simple , you connect your pc to a breakout board , from your breakout board you send the signal to the driver , you need to connect a power supply to the driver to supply the motor and a 5v power supply to supply power to the logic on the controller , then you wire the motor to the driver , it may sound a bit complicated but its not and there is ducumentation to walk you through it as far as deciding which motors are best suited for your application i would suggest you plan to sit down for a number of days and do some reading through the diy forum and see what everyone else has used for their setup , we all have our opinion of what is the best motor and power configuration but that is generally what we have found to be the best solution for our own setup

ok maybe im catching on a little now. thanks so much for replying. i know i sound redundant but does geckodrive have a system that has all that already linked together? where all i have to do is plug in a power supply? you mentioned the 540.. do i need 3 of those cause they are 300 bucks apiece! if so then theres no way i can afford that. i might as well get a refurbished compucarve lmao

[dertsap]

no sorry , you only need one 540 , i meant the 251 drive , you would need 3 of those
the 540 is pretty much plug and play


http://www.geckodrive.com/product.aspx?c=3&i=14469
http://www.geckodrive.com/product.aspx?c=3&i=14471

[roll_tide]

oh ok.. thats cool

[dertsap]

sorry didnt mean to scare you

its hard to beat gecko , i use the 201 drivers and i think they are great , i have no experience with the others but from what ive read the guys appear to love em