Making Mirrors and Dust Collectors #65 - Pensacola, FL

[fredjr]

Mr Gerald and fellow MM builders and users. I would like to introduce myself to the forum. My name is Jimmy Phetteplace and am from Pensacola, Florida, USA. I became interested in wood CNC about a year ago. I think I bacame a member in April of 2008 and started to print the plans, when after a few pages were printed I started to read them and became very intimidated and stopped the printing. I continued to search the internet for other CNC machines to build and about December of 08 I thought that I had found what I wanted. For some reason the name MechMate would come out. So I went back to the site and started reading it in more depth. I then printed the complete set of plans and read more and more and more. Soon, I said I can do this, so the adventure is under way. So in March of this year I decide to start with the kitchen top build and ordered the cut and bent parts "fast Joe" of Home Sweet Ala. They really look great in the kitchen.

Some of my back ground. I have owned my own business for the last 32 years, which is a VW Repair shop. My son is the only employee that I have. We have many years of expertise with building our drag cars. We have many more tools that you normally don't find in an auto repair shop like mig & tig welder, lathe & mill, plasma cutter, sheet metal shear and brake, bandsaw, sand blaster, bead blaster, powder coating operation, and soda blasting. In my home shop for wood working I have the usual assortment of tools like planer, belt sander, table saw, table router, jointer and such. After studing the plans and getting a game plan, I have started the build by ordering motors, bob, rollers, racks, material for Z plate. My hope is not to be just a talking of the plans and run, but to maybe add to the site as so many of you have done. The electronics I think is the biggest issue for me, but I plan to work through it. My plan is for the build just as Gerald has on the site, probably for the sheet size of 97" x 49". I know I will need help and hope that you guys and girls will bear with me. Thanks to Gerald for this site and all of the members that seem to be united to on final goal.

Thanks
Jimmy

[sailfl]

Jimmy,

Welcome from Orlando area. You are a heck of a drive away but you are welcome to come see my machine and Sean's. We are always happy to show off our machine.

Start with the table. You will be able to do the electronics.

[Gerald D]

Welcome Jimmy! A VW repair team....do you do Tourans? That's my favourite car to date (1.9TDI). We are one of the few countries still producing the Golf I (our daughter has one). Wife drives a Golf III. My old man owned a VW repair shop, with a Belgian mechanic that ran that part of the business - my old man actually hated those air-cooled engines.

We have a car rental company out here that does beetles for students: http://www.bestebeetle.co.za/ Often see them broken down along the road! :)

[smreish]

...and now I found another source to help me restore my vw beetle(s).
1st car was a 68/69 beetle and miss the nostalgia.

As far as MM cnc machines go, you have help in florida if you need it.

Good luck.
Sean

[fredjr]

Thanks for the welcome.

Nils: I will take you up on seeing your machine operate. We will be in Orlando the middle of June to feed the rat. We have been going there for the Florida Credit Union League Convention. If okay, I'll PM you with the date.

Gerald: Thanks for the welcome. I don't think that we get the Turans in the U.S. But if you could get it here I'll be glad to service it. I'm surprised that the Golf I is still in production. I think that it was called Rabbit here, then Golf, back to Rabbit and now back to Golf. I drive a 98 New Beetle 2.0, before that an 86 Golf Diesel. My son drives a 91 Jetta Diesel, before that a 79 Rabbit. The list could go on and on. My wife has an 05 new Beetle Convertible for weekend/fun time. Only 7500 miles (not too much fun in several years). VW still makes a very good product as a whole. Diesels are a lot in demand. I can understand why the rental cars and students don't mix.

Sean: How many VW's do you have? I'll be glad to help in any way. My next stage is to go to the construction and post some pictures of what I have and some of the work already started. Thanks again for the welcome and hope to be an assest to the forum.

Thanks,

Jimmy

[sailfl]

Jimmy

Sean and I coordinate visits so that if it is possible you will be able to see both machines. Now that Sean has modified his machine, you actually will be looking at two different machines.

When you PM me with the dates, I will send you contact info.

I look forward to meeting you and showing you my machine. If possible, I will give you a tour of Skycraft Parts & Surplus. You don't want to miss a visit there. You can save yourself some money on at least wire.

[fredjr]

Mr. Gerald and other members and users I have started the build with the control box and some of the Z parts and pieces. Here are some pictures of what I have gotten and some machines parts. Still have to get the power supply and other electrical parts. Yet to get metal for legs, rails and table.

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2048.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2049.jpg

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http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/Dadsparts013.jpg

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http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/Dadsparts007.jpg

More pictures will be coming as construction moves along.

[sailfl]

Jimmy,

Yup, that looks like all the right stuff.

See you in June. Get your shopping list ready so when we visit Skycraft Surplus you can load up.

[Rad Racer]

Welcome aboard Jimmy. Be sure to ask questions......and post a lot of pictures :)

[fredjr]

Hello MM builders.Here are some pictures of my build so far. There is no ryhme or reason for the order of them.The control box is used and was free.It may be a little large but better than to small.We have cut the interior plate out of .090" alum. Have mounted a fan from Radio Shack wirh stand offs for the geckos.Installed the BOB. Have yet to get the power supply and other parts needed. After the box is built. it will be powercoated blue as all of the build will be. I have started on the Z plate by grinding the 45's. I first used a 10" chop saw disc but there was to much flex.Read some more in thr forum and seen that Gerald used a much smaller disc. I got a 7" disc and machined a 3/8" alum. support plate to back up the disc, then the grind went good. I glued some 220 grit sand paper on the support plate and ran the Z plate thur several tmes to help remove the gringing marks and finised up with a wet stone. laid out the pattern to drill and tap the Z plate to the support tube. More to follow as work and time permits.
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2073.jpg

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[Gerald D]

Nice ideas on the grinding Jimmy! :)

[fredjr]

Progress has been slower than I wouuld like. Here are some pictures of what is going on. May 31 was my brithday and this is the cake that I wanted and some of the gifts.

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2102.jpg

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[Robert M]

Hmmmm….A beer can holder with a new router.....
Dangerous combination I’d say when a nice cake like yours is around :eek:
Wishing you a ‘Sweet” built up....
Congrad Jimmy ;)

[domino11]

Happy Birthday Jimmy,
Those sure are some great Birthday presents. :)

[javeria]

Birthdays always get good luck to Mechmater's - Have a good one Jimmy!

[sailfl]

Jimmy,

Happy Birthday and those are perfect gift for a MM birthday.

You can remove the height adjustment screw on the Milwaukee. It is very easy to do.

See you in Orlando.

[fredjr]

A picture of Spain's Navy sailing ship Juan Sebastion de Elcano. The ship came to townas part of Pensacola's 450th anniversary celebration (and i thoughtthat they came for my brithday). Spainsh explore Don Triatan de Luna first came to Pensacola in 1559. Some more peogress on the z plate.

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/DadsParts034.jpg

[sailfl]

Jimmy,

Nice ship. The ships are some thing. Thanks for the photo.

[fredjr]

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/DadsParts028.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/DadsParts032.jpg


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[fredjr]

Hello Mechmate
Not much has happened on my end of the build lately. But did get to Orlando and meet Nils and machine number #12 up close. It was a treat to see one work. Nils and Sean did a good job building it.Nils even made me a souvenir.Better than any thing from the mouse world. We got over to Seans place to meet him and machine #5. Got to go into the super sercet laboratory but could not take any pictures. The picture is of Nils and Sean outside of the door. What you can not see is the armed guards with the dark suits and sun glasses. Nils and I did get over to skycraft surplus. What a neat place. We did get some lunch in. Nils is a cheap date. Subway sandwich ,tuna footlong,three scoops instead of four. I really enjoyed my visit. Very nice of them to take time out of there day for me. They have did this several times for other builders. Thank you guys very much.

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/DadsParts013-1.jpg

[sailfl]

Jimmy,

It was nice to meet you also. I enjoy showing off my machine and I was nice of you to take the time to visit.

Lets see some more activity on building your machine.....

That sure is a great looking T-Shirt.

[fredjr]

Some photos of the Z slide in construction.

First picture is Router bracket base plate being drilled and tapped to Z slide. The stop tab and strut tab ground out and tig welded as well as the Z mount bracket welded to spider plate. The Z parts in the sand blaster, parts hung up to be cleaned and degreased with a iron phosphate solution. Parts being powder coated and put in the oven to bake. A picture of our oven (6' x 6' x 4'). The Temp will get to 392ºF. This is what they look like after cooling. The color is Ford Light Blue. Now back to the control box build.
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/DadsParts015-1.jpg

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[Gerald D]

I hope you enjoyed building that as much as I enjoyed looking at the pictures - thanks! Nice job! :D

[sailfl]

Jimmy,

Nice job and great progress. Keep this up and you will be done soon.

[isladelobos]

Wow. did not know this painting system. Interesting.

But I think it takes a long time in the oven,(12h?) and very expensive energy consumption

[Gerald D]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powder_coating

[smreish]

Jimmy,
Now your making my big-blue mess at the shop look so inferior.
Great start....keep going.
Sean

[Gerald D]

The most impressive pic is the one outside his building, where the building's exterior colours can be seen - also the logo/sign higher up on the wall :D

[fredjr]

Gerald thanks for your comments. You inspire us to do the best we can with what we have to work with. Your kind comments and constructive criticism go a long way. You don't seem to miss much in the pictures! Nils and Sean seeing and watching a MM work is all part of that inspiration. I'll be glad to see my big Blue in a mess. Ross, Gerald gave a good referrence to the powder coating system. Time in the oven is about 20 minutes after the parts start to flow out, that is after they turn from a flat powder look to a gloss skin. After the parts come out of the oven and cool off they are ready to be put into service. My oven is on a 3 phase system so the energy consumption is not that bad, but again we are building a MechMate so what the heck. I do try to have a load worth lighting it up. Thanks again for all of the comments. I did say that I was going back to the control box build but I did order the material for the table build, just to keep the juices flowing

Thanks,
Jimmy

[WFY]

Hi Jimmy,
The electrical consumption is the same for single phase as it is for 3 phase. How your utility charges for delivery will determine if it is cheaper. My guess is that the rate you pay for 3 phase is higher than single phase because the 2 extra transformers on the pole outside your shop have to be covered in the rate structure. This is what my job was before I retired in 2000 at the ripe old age of 49 ( Just lucky!)

[Doug_Ford]

Gorgeous work Jimmy. I'm really impressed with your craftsmanship.

[Doug_Ford]

This past Thursday, I met the "man who has it all."

Last week, I drove down to Pensacola, Florida to see my parents and stopped by to meet Jimmy and check on how his build is going. He's the handsome guy in the blue shirt. While I was there, he showed me around his shop and I'm green with envy. Jimmy has every tool most of us have only dreamed of owning. I can't remember everything but off the top of my head, I remember seeing a metal lathe, vertical mill, plasma cutter, english wheel, sheetmetal knotcher, sheetmetal stretcher (and shrinker), MIG\TIG welder (a big Miller), two sandblasting cabinets (one shop-built 8 foot long double- window cabinet that was of first class quality), a soda blaster, oxy-acetylene tanks, a powder coating system, and the crowning touch - AN ENGINE DYNAMOMETER!!!!!! Oh yeah, and even though I didn't meet her, he must have the best wife in the world.

While I was there, I also met Jimmy's son Eddie. Both of them are true Southern Gentlemen. Some of the nicest, most modest guys I've ever met.

His huge sandblaster is in the picture behind us.

5573

[smreish]

Doug,
A will attest, The MM community is some of the kindest people I have ever met. Jimmy was just pleasant as pie during our very short meeting. Nice to hear the MM family is growing!

I can't wait to see the community grow.

[Lex]

That sounds like a workshop! Just a dream for me. :)

[hennie]

Johan you have a workshop.

[Lex]

Not with 'lekka'(the best) machines like that.

[sailfl]

Jimmy,

Your machine is looking really good. I might have to drive for a visit.

[hennie]

Hey, Once the MM is up and running you don`t need more, serious!

[fredjr]

Doug and fellow Builders and users: It was good to meet Doug and show off a little bit. As all of you know it takes years to have a collection of tools. We may not use some of them a lot of times but if I need it I have it or will get it,:D oh and yes, I do have the best wife in the world. We have been married 44 years this past June and she understands the need for tools.;)

[hennie]

Jimmy ,me and my wife have a rule for every sent that I spent on tools or toys I have to give her the same value in sents.I have stoped buying tools and toys:(

[Doug_Ford]

Hennie,

My wife came up with that rule too. :(

[domino11]

Doug,
Does she know what the stuff really costs? :eek:

[Lex]

I use the system of 'buy and hide'. When she saw it 2 months down the line and told I had it for some time! :D

[hennie]

No Johan that doesn`t work for me the englishman is to sharp for that.

[Doug_Ford]

Heath,

If I use a cash and carry system, I can keep her in the dark. Luckily for me, she doesn't know a hammer from a nail. When she looks out in the garage, all she sees are mysterious looking gizmos and is unable to tell if anything is new.

One day I decided to test her so I quizzed her on the names of some of my tools. I almost wet my pants hearing what she came up with.

Last week, when I was in Pensacola helping my parents, Kathryn was my assistant. Whew, what a frustrating experience. She couldn't do even the simplest things you take for granted when another guy is helping you. For example, carrying the end of a sheet of plywood. She would get on the opposite side of the sheet so we were fighting each other. Or holding a tape measure with two hands so there is a distinct kink in the tape which throws off the measurement. Don't get me wrong, I've got a great wife that I love dearly but in the workshop, she is worse than a hindrance.

[J.R. Hatcher]

Now wait a minute Doug ...... how do you know it wasn't you that was on the wrong side of the plywood? :p:D

[Doug_Ford]

Cause I was in front and I wasn't able to swap sides as easily as the person in back. :D

I figured someone was going to bring that up. I should have known it would be you J.R.

[domino11]

Doug,
I hope our wives never figure out our passwords for this forum. :) And I will agree with you, women do work quite differently than men.

JR,
Too funny. :)

[fredjr]

My wife balances the check book for me so,she knows how much I spend. Recently she ask about some motors that I had bought and if her vw had that kind of motor(pr296b2a-sg7.2). I assured her that it did not have that kind of motor and let it go at that.:D

[hennie]

My wife worked for her dad in the Hardware store so she knows too well what is a hammer and a nail:)

[KenC]

Hennie, I bet there where you first met your wife :D

[hennie]

jip

[fredjr]

Hello fellow builders. Its about time for a new post and pictures of my build. It has been a slow go but progress is being made. I have the angle rails cut to height and the the angle grind finished. My first mistake was getting 2.5"x2.5" angle instead of 2.5"x2.0". It took a lot more disc to cut the height down. The angle grind went real good after I figured the skate out. Took only one disc. I used a good size piece of oak and cut a 45 degree in the center for the sandpaper to fit and polished the rails. Got the 8" channel cut to size. Made a guide to clamp to the beam and used an old Craftsman saw with a Dewalt .055" metal cutting disc. Also have worked on the y car. Have it welded and powdercoated along with some other parts. Thanks Jimmy

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/DadsParts098.jpg

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[smreish]

Great Progress Jimmy!
Thanks for the pictures of the VW's in the background, I love the beetles.

[jehayes]

Thanks Jimmy: I love your idea of the oak with the 45 degree cut and the sandpaper to polish the rails. I will use that on mine! Keep it up.

[hennie]

It makes two of us on those beetles show some more pic`s of the yellow one

[fredjr]

The yellow bug was in for some maintance and is gone now. It is really a nice one. The customer is the original owner. It has gone thru a couple of restorations.

Thanks Jimmy

[fredjr]

More on the build: Have the legs cut and the foot plate welded to the legs . Have the adjusters built to level the table. The cross bearers are cut and drilled for the support board and holes drilled to bolt to the main channels. Some more pictures as we build. Thanks Jimmy

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/DadsParts054.jpg

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[jhiggins7]

Looking good, Jimmy. Keep 'em coming!:D

Nice shop too.

[Gerald D]

The first thing that caught my eye in that shop was the 2 trash carts, then the 2 VW wagons, then the 2 sandblast cabinets, and then a bloke welding something together...:)

[smreish]

...I love "production" photo's. Jimmy - great work progress as usual. Thank you for the updates. Pictures make all the difference for us on the "outside" of a build.
Thanks,
Sean

[fredjr]

I'm in the process of building the gantry and having problems with the placement of the closure plates. I have some pictures of the way I think they go. I would like some opinions if that is correct or not before I start the welds. I have the cross tubes drilled and facing down. The clamp strap is inside of the tubes. Thanks, Jimmy

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/Dadspics008.jpg

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[Alan_c]

That looks good to me. Check again that its square and co planar and weld away :)

[smreish]

Jimmy,
That looks correct. When the gantry is properly placed on the table the cable chain connection should be the furthermost point away from 0,0 on the table.

Looks correct.

Sean

[fredjr]

Thanks to Alan and Sean for getting me straight on thre closure plates. Now for some more build. Thanks Jimmy

[fredjr]

Time for some update on my MM build. The project is moving along but slower than I would like. The table has been put together and the rails have been bolted on. The gantary rolls on the X rails very well for not to be alined yet as does the Y car. I did extend the cable chain to the full length of the X and Y and made some more chain shelf brackets.The table has been taken apart now to be sandblasted , painted and some parts to be powdercoated. Have started to put the racks on the rails. I know that some people use just tape but I'll feel better with a couple of bolts. While the table was assembled in the shop a lot of customers wanted to know what we wre building. So the had to go through the story of the MM and Gearld in South Africa. Some ask if we are still going to work on cars. One person said "when I was a kid my grandpa had one of those". When it starts to be reassembled it will be at my house. Already making room for it. Things will slow down in the next couple of weeks so I hope to have a little more time. I think that I have everything for the control box build. I have the cad program(Turbocad) and will order the mach 3 program. Have not chose a cam program yet. Here are some pictures of our progress. Now really back to the kitchen table build. Thanks Jimmy

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2382.jpg

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[jhiggins7]

Looking great, Jimmy! Congratulations on your build so far.

What's the significance of the picture of the part in the press. Did you do your own bending?

[fredjr]

John: The brackets that are being bent is for the shelf brackets when I decided to extend the X and Y chain length. They are made from cut off of the angle for the rails. I had to make several of them. You can see them in one of the pictures of the main beam.The shelf for the X is in two pieces so they would not be so long and I could still get them in my oven to powercoat them.Thanks Jimmy

[fredjr]

Need Help: I am trying to start the kitchen table build and need some help. I have Mach3 program loaded on a dedicated computer. I get to the driver test program and get the line off the top of the scale and can only see some spikes a the 80 line and pulse per second was about 12305. It says system excellent. I go thru the ports and pins and think that they are set right but can't get motor to turn. I changed computers and have a good driver test line and pulse rate but motor still will not run. I followed Gecko trouble shooting diagram and came down to: check controller timing G203V Step input Specs: Min step '0' Time = 0.5 uS
Min step '1' Time = 3 uS
Could someone explain this and how do you correct if it is not right?:confused:

I have the license Mach3, PMDX, Gecko 203V, and OM PK296AZA-SG7.2 motors. Have a 36K resistor in the 203V, have Anter Power Supply PS-5N38R12. The motor is wired black to A, (3) yellow/A(4), Red to B(5), white to /B(6). I'm using only one Gecko and one motor at the time to see any movement. Can anyone help?

Thanks,
Jimmy

[riesvantwisk]

Jimmy,

I always start at the very beginning when things like this happen, so here is teh list in my head I used when I was doing my kitchen table:

Check...
- Voltage on power supply
- Check voltage on BoB and does the BoB show sign of light?
- Check voltage on Gecko drive and is the Gecko light on?

- When powering up the control box, is the stepper motor energized? You can check this by trying to rotate the stepper, if you cannot rotate it by hand, it's energized.

- Are there 3 wires from BoB to each Gecko connected and do they measure a connection and no shortcut (multimeter check).

- Check if parallel cable is connected from PC to BoB (yes I missed this one myself during a demo I gave a couple of weeks ago :) )

- Check charge pump.. Do you have the CP connected on the BoB? if so, temporarily disable the CP, Mach3 might not output the CP ay the moment.

- Check if Step and Dir is configured correctly in Mach3 for the outputs of the BoB

- Check e-stop circuit and jumpers on the BoB

Can you post a picture of your BoB and/or picture of the setup in general?

I personally don't know the steppers you are using so may be somebody else can chime in here?

Ries

[Gerald D]

Jimmy, we have all been at this frustrating point. There are a couple of incidents listed in the Troubleshooting (http://www.mechmate.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=83) forum:

Motors do not turn - Ports & Pins setting for charge pump (http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1914)
Stepper motor refuses to turn - Wiring & jumper errors (http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1687)
Motors won't turn after the setting up - PMDX-122 jumpers incorrect (http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1085)
Cannot get motor to turn - Mach Ports & Pins setup (http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showthread.php?t=737)
Motors do not move after initial setting up - Mach setups (http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1078)

[MetalHead]

Ditto on the E-stop. Also the jumpers for the PMDX board.

What colors are on those resistors?

http://www.diyaudioandvideo.com/Electronics/Color/

33k is Orange,Orange,Orange,Silver (or Gold)

Don't trust the guy or the bin unless they came from a true radio shop.

[fredjr]

Good morning guys: Got up this morning with a clear head and a hot cup of coffee and set out to fix "no motor run" problem. Thanks to all that replyed. First to Ries.There is power to the power supply from the wall outlet, there are 37 volts out of the p.s.,and 12v to the bob. The motor is energized and a green light on in the gecko. The cable is connected from the PC to the bob. The wiring from the gecko dir, step, common to bob checked out with a mulitmeter. I think that the jumpers are set right on the bob and the charge pump and e-stop are set right in the mach3. I will post some pictures of the set-up thanks. Gerald, i will read those post again and again and again.:) Metalhead, the resistor colors are orange, blue, orange, red. They ohm out to be 36.0 k. Is this correct? The power supply is made by Antek not Anter. It is 6n38r12. Thanks again now to work. Jimmy

[bradm]

Jimmy, I'd like to know whether or or not the motor will run in response to a manual step input:

shut it off, disconnect the step input, get a 3-5 volt source (a couple of batteries will do nicely), connect the - side to the common (Gecko terminal 10). Turn on the system, and tap the + side of the voltage source on the step input (terminal 9) a bunch of times. The motor should move a little.

If it does, you know the power, gecko, motor part of the circuit is working and can concentrate on the computer, software, and bob as the source of the problem.

- Check what mode your parallel port is set to in the BIOS.
- Ensure you have no voltage on the disable (terminal 7) input to the Gecko.
- Measure the voltage on terminal 8 (direction). See if it changes as you command Mach to move the motor in opposite directions (this is easier to see and measure than the step pulses).

[fredjr]

Good afternoon guys: A good day of work and the motors turn. Started with one gecko and one motor. Went over all of the wiring connections with a multimeter. Turned on the power supply and the mach program, pushed the reset button,pushed the tab button for cursor control. and pushed the x+ button and the motor turned. Boy did I do a double take. Did not believe what I just seen. Then I moved that motor to rest of the geckos one at a time and they all worked. Really don't know what made it work. Had not been into the ports and pins today yet. They were as I had left if them the last time I had worked on it. Went to my shop and got rest of the motors and wiring and wired all of the motors. It was really good to see all of them turning. Even loaded the "roadrunner" file and watched it run several times. I did make note of the setting just in case they get changed. Did take some pictures and will be posting. Now on to more of the kitchen build. But first time for a beer or two. Thanks everyone. Jimmy:):):)

[riesvantwisk]

jimmy,

congrats, will drink on that!

[domino11]

Congrats Jimmy, sure feels good when something ticks you off and you solve it. :)

[Gerald D]

Jimmy, I reassembled the thread above from smaller threads to make it coherent. It actually makes a fine read on a fine looking machine. Other readers are encouraged to look at the whole thread. :)

[sailfl]

Jimmy,

Good for you. That is great that you have your motors running.

Now, go to the folder that has Mach3 and save the "what you called your Mach3 setup".xml file. That is your Mach3 configuration file. Mine is called MechMate_CNC.xml.

You will need that saved so if you change the file and things don't work you can get back to the right configuration.

This will save you butt to have a copy some place.

[smreish]

JImmy,
I know this has been mentioned before - but now is good time to copy and backup the mach file. Make a backup as you move forward on each significant change as your set up your machine. It will keep the headaches lower when you have a "good" restore point to go back to. Gosh how I know :)

Sean

[fredjr]

MM builders: Here are some pictures of last saturdays (1-9-10) session on getting the motors to turn. First picture is one gecko wired to one motor and the pmdx, second is the power supply , third is the pmdx. The leds are on but may not be seen in the picture. The last picture is all of the motors and geckos wired up. All of the wires are "out of the junk box" as Gerald would say. Will be replaced with the real stuff soon. Thanks Jimmy

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2433.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2434.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2435.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2437.jpg

[swatkins]

Those driver wires look more like they are "off the boat trailer" than "out of the junk box" :D

Looking good!

[KenC]

Good job.

[sailfl]

Jimmy

Looking good!

[jehayes]

Those driver wires look more like they are "off the boat trailer" than "out of the junk box" :D


Speaking of boat trailer wires, has anyone used trailer hitch couplers for the motor wire links? I am tempted to do so because they are cheap and available but would like a second opinion.

[smreish]

Joe,
That sounds like a great idea. I would check the voltage and current rating.
Trailer voltage is 12vdc and pretty low current.
Connector should pass 8A @ 80 VDC to be usable.

[lumberjack_jeff]

That sounds like a brilliant idea Joe. Most trailer wiring is 14 awg or bigger.

Four conductors, polarity guaranteed, cheap. Thumbs up!

[Gerald D]

Besser is already using trailer plugs in Australia:
http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showthread.php?p=34113&postcount=29

[fredjr]

Steve: You are correct about the trailer wire. Left over material from a trailer wiring job that was in the junk box . Thanks Jimmy:)

[fredjr]

Hello mechmates. finally have some time to catch up on my build. It has really been busy at work and around the house with spring projects that started in the winter. Like removing wall paper, priming, painting and then came spring with yard work and pressure washing driveways, sidewalks and curbing. Some of the MM build so far. Have the control box rewired and sandblast and powercoated and mounted on its stand. It will be a free standing unit as I don't have a vacant wall to mount it on. I will finish the "E" stop and other switches as the final aassembly goes. Have powered up the control box and it worked just like the table build. Our sandblast cabinet was not large enough for the table sides and the Y car so we had to send them out for blasting. Our oven was large enough to powercoat the Y car but not the table side so we had to send that out also. All of the parts are at home now for the final assembly. Here are some pictures of how things are progressing. Getting closer to sawdust. Thanks Jimmy

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2455.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2454.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2459.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2462.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2465.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2470.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2478.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2483.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2485.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/MechMate3-22001.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2480.jpg

[KenC]

Looking good! Now the hard work is really over. you will be making dust real soon.

[Alan_c]

Looking very good Jimmy. I see you have had to move some of your existing machines outside to make place for the MechMate.

ps why the cage around the pool, is that to keep the crocks/alligators from taking uninvited swims?

[sailfl]

Jimmy,

Your machine is looking very good.

Alan, the screening (cage) is used to keep out the bugs and leaves. Almost all the pools in homes have them. When the last group of hurricans hit Florida in 2004, there was lots of aluminum being thrown out because the cages got hit bad.

[fredjr]

Alan, Moving the mechmate home forced me to rearrange everything in the shop and a chance to clean up. If the crocks/alligators want to swim in my pool then that cage won't stop them. Like its been said before . Where do alligators/crocks swim ? Anywhere they want. :D Thanks Jimmy

[fredjr]

Hello Mechmates. About time to catch up on my build to this point in time.The machine is up and running but is not a 100% finished. My last picture posted is it going into my shop at home. I did take pictures as it was going together but somehow they got lost. After a lot of manual jogs and air cuts I was ready to turn the router on to cut the roadrunner. The program came on the the router came on and ran for a few seconds and shut off. It would not run for more than that amount of time. It went to the repair shop in May and I just got it back this month. It was still in warranty.But I still had a lot to do and learn.I tried to install the home and limit switches with the parts that Sean used but could not get it to work so I went the way of Gerald . Just got to know were your at on the table. I do have the router back on the table now and can cut the roadrunner. Have cut it many times with a few mistakes. It was really good to see it work.I have made a viedo of it cutting the roadrunner to submit for a serial number. Will do that after I learn how to post a viedo. Then the decals will go on. Thanks to gerald for making this all possible. Its been good meeting some of you in person. Like Nils, Sean and Doug Ford. It also seems that I know some of you thur your post and pictures. I my not post a lot but do read this site alot. Here are a few pictures of the roadrunner and a couple of mistakes.
Thanks Jimmy

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/000_0039.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/000_0038.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/000_0037.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/000_0036.jpg

[jhiggins7]

Hey Jimmy...almost there!:) Looking good.

I see paint and it's cutting. Let's see those logos. Then it's Serial Number time!:D

[Regnar]

Jimmy table is looking good. I will be up in Pensacola on Tuesday for Advance Composite School. If you would like I can stop by and help out with the limit and home switches. I did a bench test here and had everything up and running in no time. The course is 3 weeks long so anytime in there should be ok.

[sailfl]

Jimmy

Slap on the logos and lets get you a serial number. Good to see you have it up and running.

[fredjr]

Hello again. Thanks John will get the decals on the first of this week. Nils , looks like you and Sean are the ambassadors in Fl. for the mechmate. Thanks from all of us. Russell , I will send you a pm. Thanks all Jimmy

[fredjr]

Hello again. Here are some pictures of the MM with the decals on i will try to load a viedo of it cutting the roadrunner Thanks Jimmy

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2512.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2511.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2510.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2513.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2513.jpg

[MetalHead]

Congrats - Great looking machine. He wants to wait a few numbers before he gets a S/N .... But great build !!!!

[fredjr]

Hello ,guess the show did not work. Will try again later. Jimmy

[Regnar]

Jimmy you will have running limits and homing switches tomorrow. Found out the little thing that we where missing. ;)

[fredjr]

Russell. Thanks and look forward to tomorrow. Thanks Jimmy

[fredjr]

Russell:
Just to let you know that I appreciate what you have done for me this weekend. It was good to see the home and limit switches work. What was really good to see, was you working it out in your mind. I did replace the GFCI wall outlet after that big lightning bolt and the computer and control box were okay. It was an experience watching you with all your expertise. Hope to see and talk to you again.

Thanks,
Jimmy

P.S. to Nils: There were at least two MM builders, so there will be pictures forthcoming.:)

[Regnar]

Jimmy, I had a great time. If it wasnt for Mach there wouldnt have been any thinking just doing:D

Glad everything survived the lightning attack. Before I go I will have to get over there with my usb drive and maybe we can cut something out.

[sailfl]

Jimmy / Russell,

It is great that two FL MM builders could get together and help each other and to work together. I wish I could have been there.

Now, Russell your MM needs to be cutting.

[fredjr]

Nils. It was more Russell helping me. He was here Saturday and Sunday and the only thing he would accept was a glass of water. He is a really smart young guy and has his head on straight. A real joy to have around. Russell, when are you coming back.:D Thanks all Jimmy

[fredjr]

Hello Mechmates: Last Saturday Russell was able to come back over to my home and we were able to do some test cuts on the mm. With Russells knowledge he was able to make some adjustments to the mach 3 program that I did not know about. As usual with a new machine there were loose set screws on the pinions. And need to do some leveling of the rails. The stop and limit switches work real well.Russell showed me his Vectric V-carve program. That was what we used to make our cuts. I even got to program a cut.That program is really cool. Boy what a mess mdf is. First project is a dust foot. I already have a dust collestion system in place so just a matter of connecting the hoses. Here are some pictures of what went on that day. I can't think Russell enough for the time he put in with me. Those days were worth a good year on my on. I did order the v-carve program last Friday night and played with it most of the Saturday. Today I cut something on my on. Happy chips and may the broken bits be cheap ones. Thanks Jimmy

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2515.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2514.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2521.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2523.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2524.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2526.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2528.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2530.jpg

[MetalHead]

Jimmy - what are the dimensions on that control box?

[Gerald D]

Mike, never mind the control box, give the man a number! :D

[MetalHead]

He is holding out for 65 :D !!!

[Gerald D]

Oh yes, thanks for reminding me. :o

[Gerald D]

But, why not give him the #65 now? :confused:

[MetalHead]

I figured I would not skip forward since we have quite a few machines on the edge of being finished. This way I wont get the request for SN 999 .

[fredjr]

Metalhead: The box measures 28" high x 16.75" wide x 6.5" deep. The door has a raised section about 1' deep x14 wide x 18' high. Boy did I have fun today. Scorecard. Broken bits 0, fun , priceless. Thanks Jimmy

[Gerald D]

Mike, your logic is sound . . . .my logic says: forget whatever doesn't affect cut quality, speed and cost! :D

[sailfl]

Jimmy,

Congratulation on your machine being completed. Congratulations on Serial Number 65.

A little help from a fellow MM helps.

[fredjr]

Nils:
Thanks, but #65 isn't here yet. I'm still making test cuts to work it out.:D I still have the fish that you cut for me in June of 2009 when I visited you. I compared the cuts that I made Saturday to your fish and I still need to make some adjustments.:)

Thanks,
Jimmy

[sailfl]

Jimmy,

My machine was not cutting the way it should have been when I received my number. There is a learning curve to setting up the machine and for learning how to use it properly. Every time I cut some new material, I go through a process of figuring the best way to cut it.

I will be posting some pictures soon of a project I am just completing that is fun and has required some more learning.

[smreish]

Jimmy,
It's so great to see your machine up and cutting. I know how great that feels. It was a pleasure to have met you last year and trust your MM treats you well.

Congratulations.

Sean

[fredjr]

Sean:

Thanks for your comment. It has really been a fun adventure, sometimes frustrating (mostly about my lack of knowledge). It has been, and will continue to be, a learning curve. Can't say enough about this forum and the people all over the world. It has really been a treat for me to meet you, Nils, Doug and Russell in person. I know that you and Nils have shown your MM to many people in person. I can count four that I have met in person. How many have other MM builders met face to face? Show of hands please:D

Thanks,
Jimmy

[Kobus_Joubert]

I had a few come by and some already have a MM running and some are in the process. Others are still dreaming. Final count ??? can't remember, but more than 20 easily.

and I enjoyed every visit.

[fredjr]

Kobus: That is really great. So far you are number one ambassabor. :) Jimmy

[Admin]

Ok Jimmy with Danilo getting #64 your now in the light with you #65 !! Congrats also on your SN !!!!

[sailfl]

All Right!!!! Jimmy makes #65...... congratulations on your number.

[Regnar]

Congrats on your number Jimmy.

Here is a video of Jimmys machine up and running. Took this when I was up there visiting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOY67aEcnYY

[domino11]

Congrats Jimmy! :)

[jhiggins7]

Jimmy,

Congratulations on completing your MechMate and on earning Serial #65.

The Updated Builder's Log is here (https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AttqjIPMBEXKcExveGc4d3U0V25zQmMyX1U1eUVhU Xc&hl=en).

Please let me know the dimensions of your MechMate for the Builder's Log.


Also, please review your entry and let me know any changes you would like to make.

[Kobus_Joubert]

I think I must start another MM...#69 is comming up for grabs soon. :D

[hennie]

Kobus don`t give your age away!

[jhiggins7]

Jimmy,

Thanks for the dimension information.

The Updated Builder's Log is here (https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AttqjIPMBEXKcExveGc4d3U0V25zQmMyX1U1eUVhU Xc&hl=en).

[Regnar]

Jimmy lets see some photos of what you have been making lately. Did you ever get your mirror made?

[fredjr]

Russell, Good to hear from you. I have not advanced enough yet to try the mirror project. But I have drawn the ovals a lot on v- carve to see if I can do it. Sometimes yes , sometimes no:( but I"ll keep at it. My grandson had a school project that we did on the MM. I will post some pictures of that and the Alanta IWF show that Vonda and I went to last month. It was good to see the big boys chose some of the same programs that us MM duds already choose. Like Mach/Ecm , Vectric, up on their screen. It was really out of my league, but really good to be there. I did remake the dust foot . Moved it closer to the router. Had to put a 45 degree in the tubes to clear the z sensor. Works really well. I have made a couple of name plates for a friend's horse stable. Took more time to paint and sand them than to program and cut. No pictures of that. I need some more tutoring. When are you coming back?:D Thanks Jimmy

[Regnar]

Jimmy I might be your neighbor in a year or so. I am up for a transfere this year and Heather picked Mobile as #2 on the list. Where we are at now is number #1. She wants to commute into Pensacola so that she can keep her retirement fund going with the Florida School System. So you might never know;)

As a car guy I'm surprised that you just didn't use a HVLP gun and spray all the signs.

Looking forward to some pictures. Russell

[fredjr]

Russell:

That would really be great to have two teachers in the same area.:D My hope is for #2 to win out. The signs are too small to use the HVLP gun. The Kraylon rattle cans worked good. Just let the paint dry over night and run them through the planer. No sanding anymore. They are made out of pine and should look rustic. I had to ramake one of the signs because of misspelling (a family thing):p. I'll make some pictures of them and post this weekend. I'm really slow on writing and picture posting. How's your build coming?

Thanks,
Jimmy

[sailfl]

Jimmy

Lets see the work!!!!

[fredjr]

Mechmaters; I'm very happy to have the #65 machine. It seems like a long trip that went by fast. It is still a learing curve on the cad side of things. We went to the IWF show in Alanta Ga. this past month and saw some really big machines that were using the Mach3 / Emc and Vectric programs. Here are a couple of pictures from the event. One weekend my grandson came to me and said "grandpa I need your machine". He had a summer reading assignment and had to make a project from the story. Sarah's Key was the book. I showed him how to draw it in V-carve and the tool paths then deleted it and had him draw his own version. He made several drawings then decided on one. The only thing I did was change the cutter and turn the machine on. After they were cut he sanded , primed and painted them in a silver hammer tone color. Time with your grandson , priceless. Here are a couple more pictures of some name plates for a friend's horse stable and the start of a dust foot plate. Thanks Jimmy

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2616.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2611.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2604.jpg

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http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2644.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2643.jpg

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2645.jpg

[sailfl]

Jimmy

That is great! He will be wanting to build a machine soon. Thanks for sharing.

[fredjr]

Hello Mechmates, Just a few words and pictures of what the MM has been doing. The machine is working great and the owner is learing alot more about the programs.The pictures are a couple of table top mirrors that were cut on the MM that will lead up to a floor model. They are made of red oak. The larger one has a oiece of walnut at the base with my friends name and year made. Also a few pictures of our dust collector with the Phil Thiens seperator and Wynn air filter Works really well. The dut collector is only rated at about 600cfm so it does leave some dust on the table but not so much in the air. Also a picture of our vacuum at work that we modifed. Thanks Jimmy

[fredjr]

[Ihttp://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2672.jpg[/IMG

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv80/fredjr45/100_2673.jpg

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[Regnar]

Jimmy the projects are looking great. It looks like you are starting to get the hang of all the software.

[Kobus_Joubert]

Nice mirrors

[KenC]

that is real clever using wire mesh drum to hold the bag! Gotta try that some day.

[smreish]

Jimmy - looks like you have mastered many uses of the machine.
Nice shop fixtures.

Happy Holidays! I hope to stop in and see you and the shop next time I'm up in the panhandle.

Sean

[MetalHead]

Super Nice project !! I can't wait to see a full size mirror !!

[sailfl]

Jimmy,

I like your mirrors - Nice.

I recognize that filter.....

[fredjr]

Hello Mechmates again.

Sorry about some of the misspelled words in the post #140. Some buttons got pushed before it was proof read (she was still sleeping).:D

Thanks for all your comments about my mirrors.

Ken - The use of the mesh ring was not my idea. I had seen it on another post.

Sean - You are welcomed any time you come to this area.

Thanks,

Jimmy (and the proof reader)

[domino11]

I even like the racing fridge! :)

[fredjr]

Hello Mech Mate,

It has been a while since the last posts, but I have been using the MM and still learning my way around it. I have posted some of the things that I have made since the last entry. There are some pictures of hand held mirros made for my daughter in laws. A picture out of a magazine of the cheval mirror that I still want to make. A picture of the mirror that I made out of construction lumber just to see if I could make the cuts and join them together. One picutre of the major construction done. This is as far I will go with it. Now that I see that I can do it, I will get some nice wood and start again. I bought a copy of Vector Art 3D Dasch fun cuts program and made a few projects and painted them.

Now for my current project. I bought a Harbor Freight wood lathe (14" x 41") and have mounted it at the end of the MM between the last crossmember and the next one. Have made a cradle to lower the head stock center line to the table height. It will be done much like Kobus did his. Still want to have the AC motor and pullies for sanding. My concern is the DC motor and it will be belt driven. Probably will be 4 to 1 reduction. I have O.E. 7.2 motors on all of the other axis.

Do I need this motor also or use the direct drive motor? Have read much of Kobus' built and even thought about using an auto flex plate and starter pinion but not sure about a spinning 13" wheel at sanding speed.

Any thoughts and advice will be much needed and appreciated.

thanks,

Jimmy

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[Kobus_Joubert]

I like your Cheval Mirror Jimmy....and the golf stuff is also looking fantastic.
I gather you will have a 13 inch wheel on the lathe axis that will turn at speed with the AC motor.
I don't see any problem as long as it is balanced...which i should be.
I used my 4th axis again today....Man I like this thing.
Good luck with the indexer

[fredjr]

Hello mechmates, Time to catch up on the indexer. I have finished it. Had some pictures of the progress but got misplaced. These are of the final constrution.Did get a three jaw chuck from Grizzly. Decided to use belt drive(4:1). The idler and belt adjuster are off VW timing belt jobs. Still have the ac motor for sanding, but with only one speed.The only thing that i have cut is PVC pipe and broom sticks. Thanks Jimmy

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[HomeMadeCnc]

Thanks 4 posting, I'm wrestling with the same idea now. I'd also like to put a platter with a 90 degree mounted indexer on it. Somewhere midspan I think. The it does for you the more the ideas come for the next mod! My water cooled spindle is next on mine.

Cheers
Tim