I think I asked wrong question. From this reply, I think I meant to ask what you typically use for microsteps? On my DM560B clone from Long's, you set dip switched for pulse/rev - that's what I mean. Oh, and I'm not using Mach3 - I'm using Centroid Acorn.

I have it at 400 and empirically determined a setting (turns/in. I think it was) in the Acorn config wizard to get 0.100" movement for 0.100" called for (oh yeah, I'm using Imperial measurements too...lol). But, when I ask for 0.100", it will sometimes go to 0.1004" - I assume because of resolution limitations.

<steps away>

So, I just went and set the dip switches on the DM560B to 2000 pulse/rev and updated it in Acorn controller too. I set up a dial indicator and am getting pretty damn good accuracy for an initial setup. After 5 moves of 0.100" my DTI reads about a needles width off - maybe couple tenths. If I go back, it is dead on zero again. AND, now I get a readout on Centroid of 0.1000" for a move instead of 0.1004" or something.

But, what am I sacrificing with the tiny microsteps? I seem to remember you lose torque - but is there a rule of thumb as to what we can get away with? I know it would depend on material and such, I was really wondering what most folks used for microstep.

Long way around there! And also, the irony of a Yank asking Brits about how to get good Imperial movement from metric leadscrews?! You folks put the Empire in Imperial! LOL.

Thanks,
Wallace