New build with recycled parts on a ridiculous budget 120cm*60cm work area

**Chaz** · 20-10-2017

Originally Posted by Desertboy

I understand now, I think I'll use a molex extension cable to run one of power cables out the back of the new PC (Mini tower) then into the chassis with the steppers in it. Then run the 12v to a junction box and the 5v direct to the PC in and PC gnd. The 12v I can then split 3 ways 2 to pc fans to cool the stepper drivers and toroidal transformer and the other to the BOB.

The new PC doesn't have a parallel port (Doh! was watching a 3.4ghz it sold bought a 2.93ghz I7 assumed would be same motherboard and isn't!)

but does have 1 original PCI slot (And the rest PCI-E) so bought this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IEEE-1284-...72.m2749.l2649

Do I need a better adapter or will this be ok? The other adapters do seems to have more chips on them lol.

And the PC has a 8400GS 512 meg gfx card will this be enough to run fusion 360, looking around it should do but I'll have to turn shadows and some other effects off. This machine will only be used for CAM and controlling Betty (My name for the router) so don't want to spend any more than I have to on it. My home machine is my cad machine (Got a 760GTX in that, seems to power along fine).

Going to have to slum it with 4gb on the CAM machine for now but want to upgrade my machine to 16 or 32gb next month and then can rob the 8gb from that for the CAM machine.

Add on cards are hit and miss. Some work first time, some are a struggle, some never work.

**Desertboy** · 20-10-2017

Originally Posted by Chaz

Add on cards are hit and miss. Some work first time, some are a struggle, some never work.

At a pinch I can use another PC for controlling the machine which might not be a bad idea anyways.

**AlexDoran** · 20-10-2017

Try it and send it back if not, eBay always sides with the buyer lol.

**Desertboy** · 20-10-2017

Originally Posted by AlexDoran

Try it and send it back if not, eBay always sides with the buyer lol.

I'm happy with the price lol £90 for a 2.93ghz I7 desktop with 4gb of ram will do fusion 360 nicely I think for a CAM only machine. I'm sure I can get the parallel port working just wondering if this cheap ass card I bought works like a winmodem in which case it's probably useless for a CNC machine. If that's the case I might buy another card or more likely just grab another PC for the controller have a few motherboards kicking around with CPU's, ram and parallel ports on them.

**AlexDoran** · 23-10-2017

Thats what i meant return the card if it doesn't work :D

**Desertboy** · 23-10-2017

Originally Posted by AlexDoran

Thats what i meant return the card if it doesn't work :D

It was £2 (delivered) for the PCI card lol got PC this morning, just set it up and installing windows 7, then we'll see if the GFX card works with fusion 360.

Still waiting on my 1.5mm CY cable for the spindle (Didn't order enough last time) will be tomorrow.

Itching to get it working, but got 1/2 of it wired now, really need to sort the limit switches out but need to machine to work so I can manufacture the parts (Out of aluminium obviously) as I need to guarantee repeatability for my plan to work.

**AlexDoran** · 24-10-2017

Originally Posted by Desertboy

It was £2 (delivered) for the PCI card lol got PC this morning, just set it up and installing windows 7, then we'll see if the GFX card works with fusion 360.

Still waiting on my 1.5mm CY cable for the spindle (Didn't order enough last time) will be tomorrow.

Itching to get it working, but got 1/2 of it wired now, really need to sort the limit switches out but need to machine to work so I can manufacture the parts (Out of aluminium obviously) as I need to guarantee repeatability for my plan to work.

Ah ok haha.

I just semi-finished wiring again for the second time, Proximity sensors i had were NPN & not PNP. What are the parts like? I could 3D Print temporary ones for you.

Alex