conect 121 / cadet lathe manual/user's guide anyone?

**x-rayman** · 06-08-2016

Hello John S,
Thanks for your reply.
I have used both Mach 3 and Linux CNC on my engraver / milling machine with some success.

I would love to try the original route just to see how it works and would be most grateful if you could upload the software and manual.

I have found another problem now but its purely mechanical the gas strut on the lid is missing so I am trying to find its spec, it may of course be in the manual.

Thanks once again for your help.

Kind regards,

Keith

**m_c** · 06-08-2016

Any I've seen never used a gas strut, but there are a few different versions.
Mine had a simple two part stay. If you look through the photos on my Flickr account, you should get a rough idea of what it was - https://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb...57625154378941

**x-rayman** · 06-08-2016

Hi m_c,
Thanks for the info and the link.
As you say there must be many different models.
Mine has a completely different motor and it is turned round 180 degrees.
The drive belt is also different it is on the outside of the main bearing so is very easy to replace.
The gas strut mountings are behind the bed.

Kind regards,

Keith

**John S** · 06-08-2016

Here is the software for the lathe.

http://www.stevenson-engineers.co.uk/files/Lathe.zip

Manual to follow later.

Manual here.

http://www.stevenson-engineers.co.uk...ct%20lathe.pdf

**x-rayman** · 07-08-2016

Hello John S,

Thank you for the software and the manual I will play nicely and see if I can get it up and running.

Thanks again,

Kind regards,

Keith

**Smithy50** · 29-10-2016

Hi Everyone,

I have just acquired a Conect Cadet Plus, which is in excellent condition. I have downloaded the original software from the link in John S's reply above.

I am currently organising an old PC capable of running DOS. My intention is to try and get it running with the original software. One of the ICs (I'm guessing an EPROM) has a label on it with 'CONECT LTD V1.08 L 2/93'

I would be interested to find out how x-rayman got on with getting his lathe up and running. I would also be grateful for information from anyone who has got one of these lathes.

**x-rayman** · 30-10-2016

Hi Smithy50,
My Conect Cadet Plus is now up an running thanks to the info and software from John S.
I found that the cable required was a straight serial lead 9 pin female to 9 pin male ie wired pin for pin.
Only 4 wires are used but the complete cable is readily available and cheap.
Mine is 9800 baud but I think some of the earlier ones may have been different.
I also found that the software will run on modern computers with Windows XP, 7 ,8 and 10 32 and 64 bit using DOSbox which is a freeware DOS emulator.
Running this way allows you to use a modern cad programme like QCad which is also freeware.
The designs in the conect software are DXF files as are the templates and seem to work OK in QCad .
When the Conect software is running if you press ALT P it asks for a password which is conectl.
I am currently writing up what I did and how I set the software up, when its done I can email it if you wish.
The setup also works with modern laptops using USB to serial adaptors.

Regards,
Keith