Building the Division Master and modding my RT

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John Swift:
Hi Bogs ,

looks like a very good kit :thumbup:

just what you need if you don't have the equipment to program the ic or make the pcb for a diy indexer
(another plus not having to buy the bits from several suppliers - usually I have to use 2 or 3 for most of my projects )

the green solder resist on the professional looking pcb's will help you to avoid short circuits , if some tracks pass between the ic pins !
something you miss on diy boards

I like the way you have extended the motor leads with the 4 core mains cable

I'll have to copy that when I eventually make one (it may be some time before I have a milling machine )

is the dc power connector a locking type ? ( like rapidonline's 20-0892 )

the time it will save will let you spend more time on your projects :D

John

Bogstandard:
John,

Like I said at the start, there are other ways to achieve the same results, but it is up to the individual as to what course to take.

Both Kwackers and John S answered all my queries, and with that info, I decided to go the kit route, mainly because it would be easier for me, and because I didn't have room for the extras required in my shop, namely a laptop.

Arc Euro were out of the normal cable when I was getting the other bits together, so a trip to B&Q came up with some 0.75mm 4 core central heating cable, and I just made a note of where the new colours went to, but is in fact, a little more expensive than Arc's offering (which was back in stock the last time I looked). I actually have a 2 metre long cable on the stepper, as the DM box will be mounted onto the side of my mill's head, not trailed about as normal. The power cable plug isn't a locking one, I just rooted in my shop for one that fitted the socket supplied. It shouldn't be a problem for me as the box should remain almost stationary, and won't be able to be pulled out easily, especially as the power supply will be permanently fixed to the wall behind the mill.

--- Quote ---the time it will save will let you spend more time on your projects
--- End quote ---

In fact John, it isn't a time saving exercise for me at all, it will most probably be slower than I would normally have done it manually.

Without this bit of kit, I will very soon be unable to operate my RT at all with any accuracy. So really it is allowing me more time to continue machining, before eventually I am forced to stop. It could be a year, or ten years, at this time, I have no way of knowing. But anything is better than nothing.

But that anything was certain to cost, no matter which way I went.

Bogs

HS93:
I did my cables this way,I wanted long cables so a clever frend worked out the min cable size and I got some with a bit to spare in case i drew a bit to much current and used cable mesh avalable from http://www.heatshrink-online.co.uk/heatshrink/cat_147046--019-Black-Expandable-Braided-Sleeving.html good service also handy for things like heat shrink with Glue and ribbed heatshrink.

Peter

Brass_Machine:
Nice bit of kit John. I hope it serves you well.

Good deal to hear that Lester took care of you. Good karma on him.

I have been debating doing Kwackers version one day. Not sure my rotab is decent enough though/\.

Eric

kwackers:

--- Quote from: bogstandard on December 18, 2010, 05:58:52 PM ---Both Kwackers and John S answered all my queries, and with that info, I decided to go the kit route, mainly because it would be easier for me, and because I didn't have room for the extras required in my shop, namely a laptop.

--- End quote ---
Just to clear something up in case it causes others confusion. My RT controller doesn't require a laptop, like the divisionmaster it's a stand alone unit.

With that said I can heartily recommend the division master to those who feel building from scratch is too much hassle - it's a route I myself may well have gone down if I'd seen it before I started building mine. (I never intended mine to be a kit, it was simply something I built for my own use and then released the design for anyone who may feel like building one)

IMO (and I'm sure Bogs and anyone else who has one will agree), a motorised rotab is a thing of great joy! Every workshop should have one.

If anyone is considering buying a division master then I can highly recommend Lester's kit. I've built a number of items that I've bought from him and his stuff is second to none, he also offers great support should you have any issues.

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