Another Joe in GA

[BobF]

I guess I better start my own thread.
I am brand new to this.
I have orders placed for all (I hope) of the parts. Most of the hardware is here and I have constructed the bearings.
The HobbyCNC kit arrived 2 days ago and that is built.
Got my PC hooked up in the shop today and downloaded Mach3 and installed it. Looking through the program and learning how it works. I sure wish there was someone nearby that could show me a little on how this all works. Anyone in South GA or North FL willing contact me.
Mext post I will get out my camera and take some pics.

Bob

[txcowdog]

Go get 'em. There is nothing like a new project to put a spring in your step. Looking forward to the pictures.

[BobF]

You are correct.
Been bouncing off the walls waiting on stuff.
Whats the best way to learn Mach3?

[ger21]

Originally Posted by BobF Whats the best way to learn Mach3?

Watch the videos at www.machsupport.com
Install it and start using it. You don't need a machine to start running code in it.

[BobF]

Thanks Gerry.
Somehow I missed the videos. I have downloaded and started reading the user guide. I will download the videos tonight.

[BobF]

I am thinking about cutting a "hole" through the end of the X table near endplate once my machine is built to allow machining the ends of boards similar to this:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=117
What do you think?

[DeWalt58]

Very COOL idea Bob......I like that!!! With something like adjustable de-stako type holding clamps for various thicknesses of boards...I can see it!!

Cheers
dewalt58

[BobF]

Heres a few pictures.
Some of the parts I have collected, how I smoother my rails, and my PC running Mach as I try to figure it out while I wait on the rest of the parts.

I found the g-code for the left side of the gantry and loaded it and ran until the 500 line limit. It looks to me like Z axis 0 set to the top of the part. Is that correct?

[BobF]

ok some one help me out.
I tried to load 3 pictures. They are 60 to 80 kB each. I browse to the pics and click upload, a couple of minutes later I get message from IE. It can't display the page.
Is it me or is CNCzone having a problem with pics?

[BobF]

I hooked up all the motors and connected the driver to the PC. I found the G-code that had been posted to cut the gantry left side and loaded and ran it. It was pretty cool to see the tool path run around on the screen and hear my motors run. Too bad they were just sitting on the bench.

[BobF]

I downloaded Sheetcam and installed it on my computer. Ran it and read through the first tutorial. Looks like it should be fairly easy to learn and use. Are others using this to run Joe?
Anyone want to compare it to some of the other choices?
Will it do carving?

[DeWalt58]

Hi Bob,
In answer to your questions about SheetCam, it doesn't run your mill, its not motor driver software. All it does is take a 2D CAD drawing and convert it to G-code, then you post G-code to your driver software, for example Mach3. And No, it won't do carvings like VCarve does, sad to say. Its ability to convert 2D (not 3D) to G-code is very good and simple to use. I've used it for a couple years and love it, plus it has a large user base. If you can draw it in a 2D CAD program, SheetCam can make the code from it! For carving things like VCarve does requires different and more complex software, more controlling on the Z-axis in relation to line thickness I guess, haven't figured that out yet. Hope this helps you some.

Cheers
dewalt58