| Author | Message | ||
     Jeff Stern New member Username: Jeff_stern Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2007 Rating: N/A |
I have been interested in the Max Stepper ever since I saw it when I purchased KCam 4 about a year ago, but it wasnt available yet. I plan on getting it, but I have been reading some of the new and old posts on some of the problems people have been having getting it hooked up and running. I guess my question is how many people have had problems with the getting it up and running that were new to cnc and had a new machine and have never worked with KCam versis people that had tried & true running machines on the parallel port setup? Is it easer to get Max Stepper up and running on a machine that is running just fine on the parallel port version? I guess where I am comming from is that my machine is running just fine on the parallel port, but I would like to see faster cutting speeds, a smoother running machine and get out from under the limitations of the parallel port. I also understand that the software is for "Hobby use only", but I do use the router in my sign business and would not want to be without it for any length of time. Jeff | ||
| Michael Burton New member Username: Rccnc Post Number: 8 Registered: 05-2007 Rating: N/A |
Hi Jeff, In my opinion, you should get it. It runs so much smoother. I have had a few problems, yes. But I would characterize my issues as being ones cause by my machine supplier not being forthcomming in wiring diagrams. I fought stepper motor wiring problems for a but. And had to learn a few conventions in the software. But long story short. I am pleased. MaxStepper has solved a couple of problems I had with parallel. I had problems getting homing to work properly. But the support forum was very valuable in correcting those issues. If your concerned about messing up your good working system, back it up take pictures of the wiring, and early on saturday morning, (assuming you don't work weekends) start the hookup process and play with it over the weekend. You might be plesantly supprized. Michael | ||
| Michael Burton New member Username: Rccnc Post Number: 9 Registered: 05-2007 Rating: N/A |
I think I ought to add here that in my previous post I was refering to K2CNC when I stated "my machine supplier not being forthcomming in wiring diagrams." They left me in the dark as to the polarity of the stepper coils. Which cost me alot of time, (Trial, Error, Error, Error, Success!). Tonight I ran a gcode file I use to mill a few thousands from the table top to make it flat and uniform. It was FLAWLESS! The MaxStepper is well worth the investment. And my computer driving the rig is only a PII 300. I'm quite pleased with my investment in KellyWare products. Michael | ||
| Donald R Beliveau New member Username: Donrus Post Number: 62 Registered: 01-2007 Rating: N/A |
Jeff.... I for one had no problems with upgrading to the MaxStepper. Basicly I built the kit and put it in line between the computer and the parallel port of my controller. I had to invert the Z in the table setup and that was it as far as software was concerned. I had to disconnect the Home and Limit switches from my controller and connect them to the MaxStepper. Now I had to do some tweaking with my feed speeds because the Max ran so smooth and fast. 10ipm with parallel to 120ipm with the Max. I also had to recalculate my time for making coffee inbetween setups..... that time was cut by 12... ;-) Upgrading to the MaxStepper was the best thing I had done for my machine. | ||
| Jeff Stern New member Username: Jeff_stern Post Number: 7 Registered: 05-2007 Rating: N/A |
Hay Michael & Donald, thanks for your comments I will be ordering one here very soon. I am suprised at your comments on K2CNC, I think I delt with Kevin there on a router mount. I think I got the first mount for the Porter Cable 7518 router he made (although I did ask him to custom make it for me). I purchased one for the smaller Porter Cable router I had to get the router table started, but I knew that I wanted the 7518 for the varable speed and he sold it to me dirt cheep, like $20 including shipping. Well thanks for all your comments and I will let everyone know how it goes. Thanks again, Jeff |
