I am looking at building a small format Ox and wondering about what controller etc. I should be looking at for the application, as I am not sure of which would translate to what is shown in the build video. I plan to use the Mac with OSX that I have, 3 Nema23's and 1 Nema17, or 4 Nema23's (if that would end up being recommendable), materials like woods and plastics in 2D or possibly 2.5D relief work, and possibly carbon fiber and aluminum in 2D. I'm also thinking of using a quiet-cut spindle to start. I am basically brand new and still trying to become familiar with distinctions, etc. in final driving code, such as G-code and GRBL, firmwares, etc.
Ah... one thing I seem to have missed was the Controller Board Links thread pinned at the top of Con.Board section, which I will try to spend some time looking at and report if / what I find (something) applicable. edit: I'm not sure what I am finding there is what I expected or as directly usable for my level of understanding, but I will keep looking to see if I can understand which application might be most useful and appropriate.
suck it up and buy a used Windows pc for a hobby machine. I don't mean to sound brutal, but diy cnc is worthy of stepping outside of the Mac bubble. Stupid bubble to begin with if you ask me. Edit: Forgot the smiley.
It sounds like you should start a thread somewhere saying "Using a Mac for CNC is Stupid, and if you can't afford to buy a Windows pc, then you don't have enough money to make and use a CNC machine for yourself. Signed, Joe Santarsiero" besides, you probably would have had plenty of chance to mention something like that a bit more civilly when you liked this post, and replied to another before it mentioning the same subject. Just because you disagree with someone or don't like what they're doing, doesn't make it their job to deal with your passive aggressive attack.
Yeah... thanks for the prompt and accurate information and encouragement. Good job with the straw man "nerve striking". Prepare to... well, just do what ever you want. Some people don't feel the need to 'strike out' at other people's nerves with opinionated and inaccurate discouragement. And, it might just be the lack of context and discussion as well... for, you know, us sensitive types.
Hey guys lets not let this get out of context please. We are here to learn and have fun Thank you for understanding Mark
I've read your posts Jeremiah. Your going to spend a lot of time messing with grbl for the work you want to do. Sure, one could say run any flavor of grbl board from boot camp, but for all the time and frustration involved I don't see it as worth it. You will be fighting with it the whole time. Save up a few bucks on top of the $130 from the TinyG. Pick up a cheap Windows desktop with printer port (I see these in the garbage!), g540 plus power supply (or even a cheap Chinese package), download a free copy of mach3 and fusion360, and spend your time learning on those. You'll be happier later on. I don't know your system specs. http://knowledge.autodesk.com/suppo...tem-requirements-for-Autodesk-Fusion-360.html Again, I didn't mean to come off blunt. I'm trying to save you a lot of headaches later on for what you intend to do. Making parts. Not scrap. Joe Santarsiero
The only thing I've defined is the interest in building a small format Ox for the purpose of personal use. I've made no statements of a required level of perfection or technical accuracy or specification. The most definitive things I've mentioned beyond that was in the first post of this thread, saying: "I plan to use the Mac with OSX that I have, 3 Nema23's and 1 Nema17, or 4 Nema23's (if that would end up being recommendable), materials like woods and plastics in 2D or possibly 2.5D relief work, and possibly carbon fiber and aluminum in 2D. I'm also thinking of using a quiet-cut spindle to start." And, this was mentioned so that if someone thinks some part of that will specify requirements in order to achieve, then they can suggest what they think, or insist they know, those requirements will be, but not by starting and arguing an argument that they haven't even discussed, which is probably not the most constructive way to go about expressing your opinion on the matter, especially to be of alleged 'help' to the person you're speaking to. And, the presupposition about making 'scrap' out of expensive materials for someone who is just starting out might be a convenient point for an argument, but does not seem to make sense either. More so, the working knowledge and, again, preference of the person speaking is also not necessarily, or even very likely, going to apply to the person being spoken to. And, it seems like you've laid out a pretty narrow 'bubble' of what appear to be many potentially effective combinations. If I use the Mac with OSX which I have now, and decide to use a Windows/Mach3 combo later, I don't think it will add cost, and possibly to the contrary, which is similar to what I mentioned in this post. Additionally, if I am able to achieve something like this, and later find I would prefer to increase the CNC capabilities I have, then I will have no problem attempting to do so, from that point and at that time. But as I said, if you wish to take up your argument, it may be more appropriate to do so with people who have and use working Mac OSX, Grbl, etc. systems, which you can then express you feel are inferior and a waste of their time and materials.
"The most definitive things I've mentioned beyond that was in the first post of this thread, saying: "I plan to use the Mac with OSX that I have, 3 Nema23's and 1 Nema17, or 4 Nema23's (if that would end up being recommendable), materials like woods and plastics in 2D or possibly 2.5D relief work, and possibly carbon fiber and aluminum in 2D. I'm also thinking of using a quiet-cut spindle to start."" You have to understand that this is enough info. You want to mill 3D reliefs and you want to switch to other materials. 3D relief work on any grbl controller is going to be sub par at best. The reason...its a pain in the *** to program and dial those things in. After you do, you're not going to want to change it. You want to switch materials which means different feed rates. This means adjusting the pots on your controller and the internal settings (after you spent time dialing them all in). Rinse and repeat. It may not sound like a pain in the arse now, but it is. Can you get to a point where you have all of your grbl settings, feeds/speeds/tooling written down? You sure can. However, that is a long and grueling road. Oh yeah, and did I mention those pots. "And, this was mentioned so that if someone thinks some part of that will specify requirements in order to achieve, then they can suggest what they think, or insist they know, those requirements will be," but not by starting and arguing an argument that they haven't even discussed, which is probably not the most constructive way to go about expressing your opinion on the matter, especially to be of alleged 'help' to the person you're speaking to..." You're right. I reread my initial post and noticed I forgot the smiley. I will edit for the smiley and in the future no more quick posts from me before bed. My intention wasn't to get a rise out of you, but after this last response you've seem to have gone the glass is half empty on me.. "..And, the presupposition about making 'scrap' out of expensive materials for someone who is just starting out might be a convenient point for an argument, but does not seem to make sense either." Sooo, I never mentioned expense. I did however mentioned time. "More so, the working knowledge and, again, preference of the person speaking is also not necessarily, or even very likely, going to apply to the person being spoken to...." Then you haven't provided enough information to get the answer you need. "And, it seems like you've laid out a pretty narrow 'bubble' of what appear to be many potentially effective combinations." By applying the aforementioned working knowledge. See how that works? You're asking for advice. Take it or leave it. "If I use the Mac with OSX which I have now, and decide to use a Windows/Mach3 combo later, I don't think it will add cost, and possibly to the contrary, which is similar to what I mentioned in this post." To the contrary? It'll take away cost? I don't recall you mentioning using a mac prior (like this matters), considering a windows system with mach, or stating you have a windows pc available. You might of some pages back, but your post here suggests your going to be using a mac and this is part of your issue. I really don't see the value of this comment. Regardless, you can use your mac as your cad machine and run a dirt cheap (or free) winsys as your cam. What was the problem? Edit: Side thought. Is it possible to use a UC100 with a mac? I don't know. Don't care. Google it though. "Additionally, if I am able to achieve something like this, and later find I would prefer to increase the CNC capabilities I have, then I will have no problem attempting to do so, from that point and at that time." Um, this already suggests you know what to do. To do that, as in that vid, you purchase a grbl board, use easel, mill ****. You want to go further in the future though. At least this appears to be your "intent"! You see this? He's using MeshCam. Nice software for your Mac. At $250 I wonder if he has heard of Fusion 360? You have. But as I said, if you wish to take up your argument, it may be more appropriate to do so with people who have and use working Mac OSX, Grbl, etc. systems, which you can then express you feel are inferior and a waste of their time and materials." Okay, you stated that you would like to eventually be into the 2.5D world and mentioned milling different materials (not just one either). To do ALL of this you're not going to be using easel. Adding, using a grbl board is compounding your problem. As stated, it is possible, just not efficient. If you said "hey whats a good controller for milling wood 2D" I say go TinyG and call it a day. Personally, I love that board! I wish I didn't have to let mine go. The reason I had to let it go was because I'm further down the path that you're just beginning to walk and I already took a loss. Doing what you eventually intend to do with so much less hassle is what I'm talking about here. In my eyes, your taking the longer and more expensive road. You will either end up selling the grbl board and abandon your workflow to have to learn a new one and new software, spend way more time trying to do what you really want to do and get there....eventually, be limited because of your initial hardware choices due to funds and never choose to go further, or get fed up entirely with the hobby because it is too much of a pain in the arse. That last one I'm a huge opponent of. In the end, if you want to do 3D(2.5D) with the occasional odd material then heed my advice. Go straight to Mach running off of a PC, save your Mac for designing and toolpath generation, and spend more time machining (the goal) than tweaking hardware pots and software. Joe S.
If you want to argue with someone, you should pick someone with a working build and experience, not a new person with no experience or build components... unless you feel you have been appointed the troll of the bridge that you insist that a person will have to cross, and with the approval of you and your straw man rhetoric, which is probably an understatement at this point. Go ahead, argue some more. You might even get the last word. After all, it's had nothing to do with anything except you since post #4. It's probably too bad you didn't put as much attention on your word as your... CNC. And don't worry, what I said will stand... and without double standards. But, I'm pretty sure you typed more words. It's been fun.
