Almost there on the CNC router.

If I had the right cable I would have been able to make my steppers move today.  I need a 25 pin m/m cable.  All I had was a serial m/f cable.  So, I need the correct one or a m/m gender changer.


Electronics board mostly wired.  All that is missing is the steppers.  They got wired, but I still couldn't test.



Finally got my Dremel mounted.  I waited until now because I was still using it to cut stuff. 

I still need electronics for my Clondel.

This is just a list of different electronics and where to get them.
Gecko - http://www.geckodrive.com/ark-2/support.html?id=14
TechZone - http://www.reprapstores.com/catalog/electronics/complete-electronic-kits-0

MEGA Pololu Shield (RAMPS) PCB - http://ultimachine.com/ramps

From Reprap1x2 - http://mrkimrobotics.com/?page_id=1265 

Kits at the makerbot store. - http://store.makerbot.com/electronics.html

There are others, this is just the short list of tabs that I had open in my browser.

Other newbies building repraps.

Here are a couple others who are also building reprap machines.

JSR is building a Mendel.
Wai Jun Ho is building a Mendel

Prusa frame complete

I got the basic frame built on my Conedel Prusa last night. I picked up a 6 inch cutoff saw from harbor freight and it made the cutting of smooth and threaded rod much easier.  I found that some of the pieces that I clamped when drilling aren't quite as perfect as I had hoped.  This is yet another reason to re-do the drilling guide.  The z-axis motor mounts ended up getting their holes drilled a little too far apart which made mounting them difficult.  They seem to fit OK for now, but they may need to be the first pieces that I print and replace.
Today I am going to finish building the Prusa and then work on getting a computer setup for the BluumaxCNC.  I have a stack of computers and none of them are in any shape to drive the thing right now.

Update

I have been really busy at work.  While I have had some time to work in the shop, I haven't had time to blog.
I purchased the Bluumaxcnc.com gantry router setup.  It was pretty easy to build.  I had a couple little issues, but in retrospect, I think I was sleep deprived.  It is fully assembled now.  I working on setting up a PC for it.  I hope to have it built and be making some sawdust this weekend.

On the Prusa front, I still haven't gotten the couplers that weren't in my kit from Metrix hackerspace.  I need to follow up with another email.  I have cut all the smooth rod for it.  I will cut the threaded rod this weekend, as I think I will have access to a cut-off saw.  Cutting all this rod with either a Dremel or hacksaw makes for a great deal of work.  With the Dremel, you cannot get a straight cut due to the diameter of the handle.  I suppose it wouldn't be so bad if you had some sort of 90 degree attachment that made the attack angle of the blade more like that of a angle grinder.  I still owe you an updated "How to drill the Prusa parts" document.  The one that I wrote recommends using a clamp and Metrix and others do not recommend that as hand holding the parts will allow the drill bit to migrate into the divot. I just worry that my angles will be off.  I need to decide how I am going to re-write it.

Hopefully I will have more time to write this weekend.  I should get a video up of my first cut too.