Re: EDM home brew units ?

><snip>
> Flemming has a lot of good ideas. Langlois
> however writes a better "How to do it" book. For anyone jumping off
> into the deep end and building their own EDM, I feel both books
> should be gotten and read for full understanding before opening the
> wallet. That said, I'm going to take the Flemming design for an EDM
> tank system while keeping my stepper controlled head.

My opinion that Fleming is more of a how-to is that he devotes about
one sentenacne to capacitors . it basically says "buy the one
listed in the parts list with manufactures part numbers and sellers
link" They sell for about $5.00

Langolis goes on for over two pages on how capacitors work and how to
use them in series and in parallel and how to read the identifying
lables and such.

From a more universal understanding of the theory of the components,
Langolis reaches much deeper.

From a set of how to actually build the machine, I think Fleming has a
no nonsence approach.

But, since you and I disagree on what we call how-to, I think it is
one of those apples and oranges, which tastes better discussions.
Both are just opinion.

Your assesment that people would be well served to buy both is very wise.

I learned a lot from Langolis about theory, but I like that.
The Flemming book gets you to a machine more directly, all part
numbers and all suppliers are listed. But, Flemming is much more
interested in getting your machine cutting than trying to explain how
the electronical bits work.

Flemming also cuts to the chase on fluids.

If you just want a home-brew EDM, it is my opinion, Flemming will get
you there faster. If you want to know how it works and how to tweek,
I think Langolis is better.

Personally, I don't know how to cast Iron, nor why the threading gears
in my lathe are the width they are. I only want to use the lathe. So
it is with these books.

Dave