PICStep after assembling

[guyfrom7up]

I have not build the PICStep yet, but I'm going to, and I have a few questions now so that I don't have to order more parts later and pay double shipping.

1) Noob question, Is there like a diagram of how to hook everything up? I plan on using the 4 axis breakout board recommended on his website. I know that there's a diagram on the 4 axis page:
http://www.pminmo.com/wiki/index.php...4axisinterface
but I still don't understand it. Isn't putting resistors in series with motors bad?

2) what are the pins next to the PIC for?

3) This isn't really on topic, but I don't want to make a new thread, How much torque for a motor should I get if the max weight of the material is 15 pounds (I might be over compensating), probably the hardest thing I'll ever use is aluminum or oak.

[pminmo]

There are no resistors in series with the motor, I'm curious as to what gave you that idea? The interface goes between the computer and the motor drivers. See: http://www.pminmo.com/wiki/index.php...ystem_Overview

[vtxstar]

I understand your confusion, especially if all this is new to you. There are many considerations to be made and lots of ways to do things.

It is easy to get the idea of how these things work, but the details of connectors, cabling, wire selection, packaging the different sections, etc. can be overwhelming.

Progress is important so choose the parts of the project you can do well and consider purchasing other sections if beyond your skillset yet.