Re: CNC retro fit kit

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "S.L.Ramsay" <slramsay@n...> wrote:

> that sounds great, especially after reading positive reviews of a
>product
> called a Geckodrive ( http://www.geckodrive.com/). But, I don't
>have much
> of an electronics troubleshooting background and zero in the way of
>software
> programming. I'd like to build my own CNC control system but have
>really no
> idea how to do this. By powering a larger mill, this system will
>have to be
> rather robust. Does anyone have good leads on where to start and
>what to
> buy?
>

Scott,
There are folks on this list who are running big series 1 and 2
Bridgeport mills on Gecjko drives so don't be worried about your
Grizzly.
As you are starting with a clean sheet of paper you are possibly
better off than some of us that have to use legacy components from
the previous dead machine.
Choice and advise is hard as ask 10 people and you will get 11
answers.
For Software in no particular order you have CNC Pro from Yeager,
Master 5 from Art, TurboCNC, EMC and Ahha.
Drives you have a good choice in the Gecko drives. Dan Maulch
supplies motors as do others, Chase him up he has some offers on at
present. I personally would go for Servo's as opposed to steppers at
this stage and use the 320 / 340 drives.
Don't be afraid of lack of electrical skills as there is nore than
enough help on this list.

John S.