How to Setup & Configure An OX CNC Controlled by a TinyG V8

I found very little information on how to configure a TinyG for use with an OX CNC. Yes there is information out there, heck bits and pieces are scattered everywhere. There are wiki's, random videos, forums, community's, IRC channels, hangouts that are hours long. There is so much information, it could make a sane man go crazy trying to wade through all of it for the first time.

I found answers to even simple questions often took hours for a response. I sent emails to strangers, did tons of research, basally I tried everything (why there is no TinyG IRC # is a mystery to me). This stuff took so long because email is slow, and I don't have any friends doing this stuff to call. I did find that the wikis have lots of great information, but often times it conflicts, and there isn't any OX specific stuff for TinyG (its dated Shapeoko). Sometimes, even when you ask for specific advice, written word is not always understood correctly. Many of my questions were often left unanswered.

I do need to thank a few people for all their help and patience with me. John Lauer (the Chilipeppr Guy) He is a stud, thanks for all the emails, Carl McGrath, A Very helpful man and a TinyG master, Dave Hylands (awesome dude and a major key to my success), Todd Fleming (the JScut guy) a very smart man, Alden Heart (TinyG master) and Riley Porter (TinyG Master). If i missed anyone I am so sorry. That list of names are the guys that stand out in sea of makers who took their time to pay it forward to not only help me, help my friend, but to help the entire OpenSource community! Take a bow gentleman you deserve it!

You See, with OS stuff, it can be tricky for support, its not like you can call Geek Squad, not that they are any help. In the end you have to fight for it, and pay your dues : ).

To make a long story short, I pride myself in being a halfway smart person. I also pride myself in helping others. Combine the two, my friends often ask for help. In the case with the OX, this is exactly what happened. Not knowing anything about the machine or the components before I started didn't help matters one bit. The fact the machine was located an hour (one way) away from home, made sure this project was tricky and time consuming to say the least.

What I found to be most interesting about this project, was the lack of a start to finish build resource on setting up the electronics to work on an OX. Or a guild to getting the machine on line. I mean all of these awesome OS tools are out there, but no one has put it all together yet. So here I am, doing just that. OpenBuilds Parts (OX CNC), Synthetos TinyG (controller), ChiliPeppr (Gcode server/Machine GUI), JScut (OS CAM software) and SMW3d (all the parts in one place).

The machine in question is a Kit purchased from Brandon at SWM3D.com . This kit was right at $1,500, and has all the bells and whistles. He started with a 1000mm (y axis) x 750mm (x axis) frame rails. He got the Nema 23 steppers for X,Y & Z, dual PSU's ( a 24v and 48v), a PWM controller, a 400w Quiet Spindle, plus the GT3 belts and 20 tooth pulleys.

Since Mark has covered the frame build so very well, I am just going to concentrate on the electronics, switches, software configuration, and getting the machine running with ChiliPeppr, and JScut. Sorry folks, I have a hard time saying things in a simple way, this is just who I am.


Lastly, there is only one disappointment, it's the config video. It's long (24 mins), and is a video taken of a PC scree. Simply put, it sux, and is not how I normally do things. However, I do offer actual TinyG config dump via a link, so its easy to follow along. Not trying to make any excuses, however a machine one hour away (one way) and uses a PC with no Mic, Speakers, Camera, or any drivers installed on. Setup was a huge PITA, and it made impossible to make screen cap videos. With that said, I would of killed to have a video like part 3 below when I was struggling to set up this machine. Without further delay, here we go.


Setup Overview Of The OX CNC With TinyG Chilipeppr & JScut pt1


Setup & Overview Of The OX CNC, TinyG Controller Plus Chilipeppr & JScut Part 2


Setup & Overview Of The OX CNC, TinyG Controller Plus Chilipeppr & JScut Part 3
Watch Part 3 in Full Screen in HD (again sorry it sux)


Setup & Overview Of The OX CNC, TinyG Controller Plus Chilipeppr & JScut Part 4 "Homing & Limits"


Setup & Overview Of The OX CNC, TinyG Controller Plus Chilipeppr & JScut Part 5 "Gcode"