I am picking parts to build a cnc router and have been looking at motors. I see 0.9 degree and 1.8 degree. Why would I not want the 0.9 degree ones? I am thinking the smaller step would be better for resolution but there must be a disadvantage since I see some many people using the 1.8 degree ones. So what am I missing?
I don't think there is a disadvantage. It is just that there is not much of an advantage. In a typical hobby-level CNC, precision outpaces accuracy in almost every case (especially with micro-stepping). So imrpoving precision alone is usually not a huge win. If your precision is 0.04mm and your accuracy is +/- 0.1mm then moving to a system that is 0.02mm precision without improving accuracy doesn't actually matter. -Jonathon Duerig
I guess I am seeing the 0.9 degree motors for the same price as 1.8 degree and I am reading microstepping lowers your torque so that is why I am considering the 0.9 degree motors.
If they are the same price, there is probably no reason not to go with them. I went with the 'high torque' motors from the part store. When I was researching how much to microstep, I recall reading that there were sometimes problems if you didn't microstep at all. Maybe that there is a higher chance of vibration and resonance with no microstepping. It seemed like there was a happy medium with some microstepping, but not a huge amount. On my current machine, I use 8x microstepping on a rack and pinion and don't have problems with either torque or vibration. But I cut relatively soft materials (plastic mostly with some plywood). So maximizing torque might be very important if you are working on something that could cut metal.
I am just going to cut wood and plastic but I am looking at all the options and trying to get the best price / performance combination.
1.8 are better for torque they do have less accuracy but where talking small numbers. 0.9 have less torque but are more accurate at high speed. honestly i would use 0.9 on 3d printers lasers **** that doesnt have forces fighting them. and use 1.8 on things with spindles