Nice negotiation, you sell cars by any chance - ha! :) Glad you sorted Mod 1 stuff, mod 2 wouldn't have worked as it would have put the rack teeth 5mm further down making the motor swing not work. Everything Gerald designed has matching pieces that if we go changing things it has consequences :)

BTW, I got my Z steel (100x6x750 Cold Rolled Flat) from Bright Steels in Melbourne, 03 9587 0307. Couldn't find anything like it in Sydney, goodness knows why ?!?!?

Cheers

Hey RD
Thanks again
I'll give them a bell tomorrow
Regarding the rack dimensions, I'll need to re-read the various threads through properly to fully comprehend the sizing rationale rather than their physical dimensions.
Makita Cold saw on order, my workshop is growing by the day (only 27 left)
Cheers
Bazza

Moved Home
Just picked up my steel for the table, slowly but surely

Slab poured yesterday
Now doing the mark out for my workshop!!
Bazza

Been a bit quiet of late but in my spare time, I tried to work on my very limited knowledge of stepper motors, drivers and Toroidal power supply
I ended up making a spreadsheet to assist in learning the difference between Unipolar (U), Bipolar series(S), Bipolar half coil(H) and bipolar parallel(P)
Immediately noticed some of the stepper motor specs refer to different wiring configurations
I am going to wire my motors bipolar Parallel (most efficient for torque and speed) looked into 4 stepper motors and it came down to these two
If my spreadsheet is right:
KL34H295-43-8A advertised as having 960 Oz/in but only if wired S and P therefore 640 Oz/in wired U
34HS9801 advertised as having 490nM (693 Oz/in) specked in U and therefore 980 Oz/in wired in either S and P
Please correct me if I'm wrong here as its the basis from which I can move forward.
I also included a method of selecting a variable power supply using between 1-9 motors with 3 stepper motor candidates in any wiring (H,U,S&P) configuration
This is where I need help
I have made these assumptions:
The amp draw (A) and total capacity (W) change with the number or motors added but the voltage is is rated against just the maximum draw for 1 motor?
Cheers
Bazza

OK
I have started a new shopping list
Just ordered and received my 2.2K Watercooled spindle and VFD
I'm about to plonk some doe down on 4 x 3hHS9801 MotionKing stepper motors
I want to wire them bipolar parallel and incorporate a 3:1 belt drive running a 30T Pinion
My spreadsheet with the modified inputs give (P) 829VA, 55VAC @10.6 amps

From this Antek's PS-8N56 - 800W 56V Power Supply looks like a close match (but out of stock)
I'll email them and:
1) Ask if the motors and toroidal match
2) when they are back in stock
Had a look into the drivers and can't afford the Gecko 203V and reckon the Leadshine DM856 looks like a good compromise
The PMDX-122 breakout board looks popular so I'll go with that

My revised list of MM stuff is
All the metal for the table and gantry
The laser kit and skates
Rack and pinions
V rollers and offset bushes
Cold cutting drop saw
inverter stick welder
Pedistool drill press
Milwakee grinder

Still need to locate tool steel


Bazza

you can find tool steel in AU at places like gasweld or where lathes etc are sold. or search ebay for HSS Lathe Tool Steel . since have not bought any tool steel for my build yet am not sure what size you need and might not even be what you are looking for

I think Bazza means Gauge Plate, for the Z slide.

I could not get it here.
I used ordinary plate.
My build was a compromise from start to finish.
Getting on for 2 years now and no major problems.

Hi Rifraf and Al
Thanks for your advice
About a year ago I undertook a search for suitable Z slide material calling it unhardened flat bar tool steel.
I was sent this data sheet by one company
Attachment 15307

I know very little about this subject and from memory my dimensions of 100mm x 6mm x 750mm was problematic

I got your PM Rifraf and will reply neighbour!

Cheers
Bazza

Well
Ive been doing some more research
It never ends!
Having trouble getting in touch with ANTEK, sent an email a week or so back with no reply yet
However, I noticed something in their specs that has now changed my toroidal power supply....I Think?????
My specs are for VAC, I see they(Antek) spec VDC
Therefore: VDC = (VAC x SQRT2)
VDC = 55 x SQRT2= 77.7VDC

Here is my second email to them:

"Hi
A week or so back I asked your advice on which Toroidal power Supply would suit a Mechmate CNC Router
The stepper Motors will be (wired Parallel) 4 x 34H2A9840 (used to be known as 34HS9801)
The drivers will most likely be 2LD880H (can handle 80VAC)
I originally thought your PS-8N56 would suit but realised the 56 was VDC
I now think the PS-8N77 would be far more suitable
My questions are:
What size would you recommend?
How much is the shipping cost to ......."

I also got in-touch with Motionking and found out a few things
Their 34HS9801 is now called 34H2A9840.
I am looking into their 2LD880H driver as it will take up to 80 VAC (113VDC)
Also asked if the make breakout boards similar to PDMX-122

Cheers
Bazza

After weighing up all the possibilities I have gone with the following from Motionking
Their response:

"It's OK to separate them. Pls see
* 4 pcs stepper motor 34H2A9850 , $55.00/pcs -------- $220.00
* 4 pcs 2LD880H , $62.00/pcs -------------------------------- $248.00
* 1 pc Breakout board , $15.00/pcs ------------------------- $15.00
Express Freight, $160.00"

All in USD
The stepper motor model numbers have changed (used to be 34HS9802)
Put an order in with Antek for PS-8N56 (they will have more units from mid to end of this month)

So another chip away at the mountain
Cheers
Bazza

Well after a very long wait for the product to be restocked I received my Toroidal power supply, the Antek model PS-8N56
Adrienne kindly gave me a discout to compensate for the drop in the AUD whilst waiting
Looks great
Next control box and wiring!
Not entirely sure what dimensions I need but I guess I'll lay out what I have and guestimate
Cheers
Bazza

Bazza, go bigger than you think you need with the control box, you'd be surprised how quickly the damn things fill up. Always better to have some room to run the wires nicely.

Thanks Bruce
I'm going to visit a wholesaler this afternoon and try for the largest
Also need to get my wiring
I have all the metal so my next job is to cut it!
Not sure whether to cut back the rust formed now or later (live within 1km from the sea)
I'll start posting up pictures soon
Cheers
Bazza