Maxcn 15 or a Sherline + CNC conversion?

Hello,

I am about to purchase my first CNC mill. I have narrowed it down to the maxnc 15 or a sherline 5400 and the CNC retrofit using the
PIC-SERVO CMC motor controller. Maxnc will be about $3000 and the sherline setup will be about $2300 (both with a rotary table). Is
the maxnc worth the extra money considering it is a stepper system? Am I going to run into problems attempting the PIC-SERVO CNC
conversion... I am worried about software more than anything else? I have also considered the Flashcut 5400 stepper system at $2600,
but that price seems pretty high considering the cost of the 5400 mill itself. The Maxnc website makes mention of BSA zero backlash
lead screws and the sherline does not... will backlash be a problem with the sherline.

Thanks for any info
- Dan

Alan Marconett KM6VV wrote:

> Hi Andrew,
>
> I think I may not have been clear. I have an old Sherline/Sears mill, retrofitted with MAXNC code, steppers and driver. The lead
> screws, motor mounts are Sherline retrofit parts. THAT'S why my oz/in is low in z axis. Ya, I wish I had servos and the MAXNC 15!
> maybe later. I think I'll see what Sherline says about the gibs.
>
> Tnx,
>
> Alan
>
> Andrew Werby wrote:
>
> > Message: 19
> > Date: Mon, 03 Jul 2000 17:23:57 -0600
> > From: Alan Marconett KM6VV <KM6VV@...>
> > Subject: Re: Maxnc - buy it with the proper documentation only
> >
> > Hi Mike,
> >
> > I too am using the MAXNC. Hey, it's a start! Sounds like you're driving
> > big things! I also want to add limit switches. I'm just
> > driving a sherline mill, and I only have the little unipolar MAXNC driver
> > board. Later I will do step & direction with something
> > with a little more power. The FET's are fine, I think I still have a few
> > solid state switches, and thought I would use them.
> > Actually, I'd like to add CNC speed control to the spindle. Haven't really
> > planned that out yet.
> >
> > [The new MaxNC closed loop system has more power, using essentially the
> > same motors, but with encoders and feedback added. It also has a more
> > sophisticated spindle speed controller, which allows the speed to be set in
> > the software, and has added limit switches and a "home" function. ]
> >
> > Sorry I didn't pick up on the BIOS problems before, If I can help, email!
> > I'm just getting going here, but I do enjoy solving
> > computer hardware/software problems. My main worry now is the limited
> > drive in the Z axis. I had all the gibs out, so hard telling
> > how well they're adjusted. My vertical was kinda "heavy" before I
> > converted to CNC. I used Sherlines' CNC kit, love the parts.
> >
> > Alan
> >
> > [If you're talking about the MaxNC gibs, what I did was screw all the
> > setscrews in tight, then backed them off about an eighth of a turn, and
> > Loctited them into place. Vibration from the motor kept loosening them in
> > the middle of cutting a part, with noticable results. I'm not sure what you
> > mean by "limited", in terms of the Z drive, though. And yes- I'd like to
> > put together some additional documentation for the MaxNC, including the
> > BIOS issues mentioned above. Any contributions would be welcome.]
> >
> > Andrew Werby
> > www.computersculpture.com
> >
> > Andrew Werby - United Artworks
> > Sculpture, Jewelry, and Other Art Stuff
> > http://unitedartworks.com
> >
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