[Lab] Marauder project (around 400 bucks and counting)

[Darcy Whyte]

Yeah, I saw that project. I may have gotten it if I didn't need a portable
with a 12" cutting area. I almost to got a zen 12x12 for 700 bucks.

It's similar. Except, I'm making it 12x12 instead of 8.5x11. Also, an
enclosure for dust and noise control. I think Marauder will wind up less
expensive too.

Do you know the size of the linear support rails on that project? I'm going
to try 16mm and see what happens.


On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 6:31 PM, Tom Burns <tom.i.burns at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Darcy
>
> What advantages do you suggest the Marauder project will have compared to
> an existing kit like http://www.mydiycnc.com/complete_kit ?
>
> I was one of the original backers for this kickstarter project and while I
> don't have my unit yet, it's apparently close to shipping.  I can't comment
> on it's success until I have it built but it's definitely comparable to what
> you're suggesting designing.
>
> Cheers,
> Tom
>
> On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 6:24 PM, John Nicol <john_nicol at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> The seller was chengfang1234.  Yep opened up a problem report, no
>> answer.   Next step is dispute.  They also sold me a second-hand motor and
>> said it was new.
>>
>>
>>
>> I paid $129.99, which included the stepper motors.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* darcy.whyte at gmail.com [mailto:darcy.whyte at gmail.com] *On Behalf
>> Of *Darcy Whyte
>> *Sent:* June-06-11 6:12 PM
>>
>> *To:* John Nicol
>> *Cc:* lab at artengine.ca
>> *Subject:* Re: Marauder project (around 400 bucks and counting)
>>
>>
>>
>> I put power on it and it works fine. I'm running it at 24v. I guess we'll
>> find out how long it runs for and how well it runs under load.
>>
>>
>>
>> If you bought it in ebay, you probably could have opened a problem report
>> in ebay and they may respond to that. I think you can make a dispute in ebay
>> too.
>>
>>
>>
>> You mean yours isn't working? What seller did you get it from?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 6:01 PM, John Nicol <john_nicol at hotmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Darcy,
>>
>>
>>
>> The CNCZone forum listed is specifically that board you have in the photo,
>> not Chinese CNC controllers in general.  It applies to the three and four
>> axis controllers based on the TB6560.   I have the same three axis one that
>> you show in the photo purchased of eBay about two months ago.  I am honestly
>> surprised that it works for you, the design means that the motors share a
>> ground with your LPT port, so there is no isolation between your PC and the
>> motors, but as long as the voltages are kept low you shouldn’t blow the PC
>> up.  That is an option though.  Never run it over ~34 V or you *will*blow the stepper drivers and risk the LPT port.  The opto-isolators are also
>> wired wrong in this design and there is significant noise on the stepper
>> driver IC clock that means a loss of steps for most people.   I run it at
>> 24V.
>>
>>
>>
>> I have analysed the design as well (being an electronics tech in a
>> previous life) and can say that I would not recommend that design.  I also
>> tried to contact the company I bought it off eBay from and they have yet to
>> respond.  There are a few companies in Hong Kong and China that seem to deal
>> in these boards.  The fixes that are listed in the CNCZone forum will work
>> up to a point and a few have reported good progress.  I have found that I am
>> losing too many steps and lots of hair to continue with that board.   I
>> might try one more suggested fix, which is to bypass the opto-isolator on
>> the clock and go straight from the LPT pin to try to get a clean signal.
>>
>>
>>
>> I have seen some newer boards out on eBay that might address these issues,
>> so looking forward to some reviews on CNCZone before jumping that way
>> again.  Probably just go with HobbyCNC for now.
>>
>>
>>
>> The big caveat with the above is that if it works for you, then it works
>> and that is a good thing.
>>
>>
>>
>> I am just missing electrical, everything else is done and now shopping
>> around for alternate controllers.
>>
>>
>>
>> John
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>> *From:* darcy.whyte at gmail.com [mailto:darcy.whyte at gmail.com] *On Behalf
>> Of *Darcy Whyte
>> *Sent:* June-06-11 5:11 PM
>> *To:* John Nicol
>> *Cc:* lab at artengine.ca
>> *Subject:* Marauder project (around 400 bucks and counting)
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> The cnc controllers work great and the price is right. I doubt the issue
>> people spoke about on cnczone is about all chinese cnc controllers. There
>> will have been an incident or incidents with a specific one. I had problems
>> the the cnc controllr on a mill I bought in china but they replaced the
>> electronics. But that's a different piece of hardware.
>>
>>
>>
>> Eventually there will be a bill of materials with lots of different
>> options. People can spend as much as they want on controllers.
>>
>>
>>
>> What are you missing for your CNC project? Just electrical?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 5:02 PM, John Nicol <john_nicol at hotmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Today's Topics:
>>
>>   1. Marauder project (around 400 bucks and counting) (Darcy Whyte)
>>
>> =====
>>
>> Hi Darcy,
>>
>> Nice to meet your virtual acquaintance!  First time posting in the mailing
>> list so hopefully I don't screw it up too badly.
>>
>> I went to your website briefly and saw the electronics proposed.  I would
>> stay away from that particular Chinese design and manufacturer.  I
>> purchased
>> a 3-axis board + NEMA 17 motors off eBay and have had nothing but
>> problems.
>> There is even a forum discussion on CNCZone about these.  The design is
>> flawed.
>>
>>
>> http://www.cnczone.com/forums/general_electronics_discussion/110986-how_i_fi
>> xed_my_chinese.html<http://www.cnczone.com/forums/general_electronics_discussion/110986-how_i_fi%0d%0axed_my_chinese.html>
>>
>> There are suggested fixes in the forum discussion and I have applied these
>> (and learnt how to solder SMD at the same time, so it was worthwhile from
>> that point of view), but although it improves the noise, it is missing
>> steps
>> all over the place.  A piece of crap.  I made the CNC described in
>> Instructables here:
>>
>>
>> http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Three-Axis-CNC-Machine-Cheaply
>> -and-/<http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Three-Axis-CNC-Machine-Cheaply%0d%0a-and-/>
>>
>> I have a picture of what I have made and can email separately.  All up, I
>> guess it cost me $600 so far.  It would work quite well I am guessing if I
>> had a "real" controller board.  I am thinking of getting a kit from
>> hobbyCNC
>> and buying some 6 wire Nema motors from eBay to make it all work.
>>  Currently
>> I have a dremel, but will upgrade that to a trim router.
>>
>> Regards,
>> John
>>
>>
>>
>>
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