my build from the start

[irving2008]

The motors make useful hand warmers this time of year :-)

Mine run on the edge of too hot to touch and I haven't had any problems yet - 80 degrees C above ambient seems a common maximum.

I hope not... 85degC absolute case temp is the maximum recommended temp you should run a stepper at - higher than that and you risk internal breakdown and demagnetisation.... remember inside its going to be a lot hotter!

an 85degC case is too hot to touch for most people. Maplin do a cheap £19 multimeter with a temp probe thats a useful bit of kit for playing with electrics...