Questions on using a moving gantry style mini-mill...

[Davek0974]

Thanks Jazz,

I did not realise as I am doing most of my debugging and research on my laptop which has no motion output etc - just a laptop and Mach3 etc. I tried 'jogging' when in tool change but it did not move so assumed it was fixed for some reason, probably just did not move as it has no motion attached. :)

I will find out this weekend what my parallel is like, I would never guess it would be perfect though, so shims is the way I would choose too.

On the bridgeport i've used many odd ways including cutting a pocket into scrap aluminium, bits of plastic, wood, basically anything goes that will hold it down. Most of what I'm planning will be 5mm Alu sheet or thinner so pretty easy to mount, DS tape would likely work if i degrease the faces.

Just trying to amass as much info as i can before I go throwing metal and cutters at it :)

[Ger21]

When running Mach3 without the parallel port driver installed, a lot of things don't work correctly.

[Davek0974]

That explains it then, thanks.

[JAZZCNC]

Dave do your self a Favor and Buy Gerry's (Ger21) Screen set and make touch plate. Worth every penny and will save you hours of messing around with setting Z height etc. Much much nicer than 1024 screen set.

You'll find link at bottom Gerry's post.

[Davek0974]

Done, looks very nice indeed.

Do you get commission ;)

Thanks

[JAZZCNC]

Do you get commission ;)

You kinding the Man has helped Me(and 1000's others) so much over the years I'd need to recommend him to million users before got near to being worthy of commision...

[Davek0974]

Some good people on here, no two ways about it

[Davek0974]

Dave do your self a Favor and Buy Gerry's (Ger21) Screen set and make touch plate. Worth every penny and will save you hours of messing around with setting Z height etc. Much much nicer than 1024 screen set.

You'll find link at bottom Gerry's post.

Watched the videos, nicely presented and explained, looks a great screen set, can't wait to get my hands on it ;)

[routercnc]

Been using it for ages as well and it's well worth it.

The probe function page is great with everything you can think of.

Just watch your monitor size - mine is 15" and the fonts can be a bit fuzzy. This is explained in the link and there is a preferred monitor/resolution size if I remember correctly. Even fuzzy it's still a good screenset.

[Ger21]

Turn off Auto screen enlarge and they won't be fuzzy. I use an old 15" monitor myself.