Re: NEWBIE WITH PLASMA/ROUTER ??'s

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "Jay" <jayelvington@s...>
wrote:

> Houston...but frequent North Texa often..

Jay: Sign up for the Master5 (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Master5)
discussion group on Yahoo. It is for a Windows based Controller
Software product being developed by a CANADIAN! (oh well). Anyway,
you will eventially need some kind of controller software for your
projects. A lot of the members of this group are over there as well
and will be glad to help with CNC building questions.

I have been working with the arthor of the software (Art) to include
logic for a Torch Height Control (THC) that uses an external circuit
I designed. I have posted the schematic in the Master5 Files section
and I am working on a PC board layout. If you plan on doing plasma
you will want to investigate our low cost THC solution.

I built a machine exactly like you are describing (router/plasma) and
will be glad to share whatever information I can. I used Dual drives
on my gantry, since with a router, the forces are greater during cuts
and I was skeptical about keep a 6' long gantry from flexing. As it
turns out it was a good decision because there is almost 1/2 inch of
flex in the aluminum gantry. With both sides being driven every
thing stays nice and square.

I too live in North Texas. In fact I am so far North as to almost be
in Southern Oklahoma! Bob is a good guy to work with in the Dallas
area. My prediction: Once you hook up the plasma and see the steel
get sliced up, you will forget about wood! (it's a Guy Thing). My
router is over in the corner and gathering dust. I have enough
components scrounged to build another smaller machine and it will
probably be a dedicated Engraver/Router table.

Welcome to an addictive and fun hobby.

Tom C