MadModder

Old post but to run a simple stepper motor as a regular small speed motor, an AC supply of 24V and 2 none polarized 4,7 uF capacitors in parallel will drive the motor like a single phase motor at mains frequency. Capacitors may vary depending on the motor

Hi Chris,

In Cut 2D there's an Allowance Offset setting which will leave whatever you enter for a final cut. Or there is a Do A Separate Last Pass setting which does more or less the same thing but (bizarrely) doesn't work with lead-ins and lead-outs. (I queried this with Vectric and they did try to explain why but I couldn't for the life of me understand their reasoning.)

The lead-ins and outs mean that you don't get a witness mark where the tool plunges into the work.

So I leave an Allowance Offset of say 0.1 or 0.2mm and then do another toolpath with zero Allowance Offset.

With free cutting brass you may ne better with straight fluted cutters. I haven't got any except for woodworking router cutters.

Yes - I'm still using the converted pantograph engraver. I'll be doing some engraving of badges and trophies for our cycling club in the next week or so. Over the years I've saved them £100s.

Phil.

Hi Phil

No - that would be an excellent plan. I’ll check but I'm not sure how I’d do that in v-carve other than generate separate vectors to follow and account for the finishing cut in the measurements.

What cutter do you use on brass. I’ve realised that picking the appropriate cutter is more than half the battle. I used a single cut 4mm cutter for most of the work and it ended up with a half decent finish but it will need hand polishing. The finish is better than I expected. It’s quite a big CNC machine and didn’t expect it to cut as well as it did. Most of the work I’ve been doing on it was plastic over covid. We purchased it then when my wife was struggling with her work and it paid off at the time. Now it’s just another tool in my workshop. Although in a small workshop it does take up a lot of space but I wouldn’t be without it. Are you still using the converted machine / was it a pantograph? I knew it blew me away when you used it to cut those wheel cutter profiles!


For anyone who has built this clock, @smiffy or anyone else. Have you any pictures of the back of this clock, the pendulum assembly and back cock, crutch? I appreciate it’ll be against the wall but any pics would be really helpful even at an angle if it is against the wall and you can’t get directly behind it.


Thanks a lot
Chris 

When did you get that CNC Chris?

I use Vectric Cut 2D for parts like that - drawn first in 2d in Autocad.

Did you leave a small (0.1 or 0.2mm) cut to finish the edges? Cut 2D lets you leave whatever you like for a final cut. You tend to get a really nice finish with a climb-cut clean-up cut.

Nice looking shop Bob, would love to see your kit…I guess you could get our friend John Doubleboost to do a video? 😀