Thanks Pete. I haven't really posted as promised but I have been watching regularly.

Update: I run my Mechmate regularly. Still runs strong and accurate. I've given so thought to what I would do to improve it (IMHO).

First would be linear bearings (expensive but probably worth it) I like the belt drive but I'd consider opting for screw drive like the big boys.

My mechmate is a foot wider than most so there's a bit more flex (not much but I know its there) especially when cutting metals, some of that flex is in the table which I would also change a bit more beefy. Instead of 50mm x 100mm C channel I'd opt for 50-75mm x 150mm tube and more of them. Don't get me wrong, my machine does not shake at all in rapid direction changes, I've got nearly 2200 lbs of steel there. Not sure what can be done for the gantry.

I would like to change to servos, those clearpath servo/driver combos are sweet.

I also would update the computer side, controller, software, etc. Not that what I have doesn't work well, at the time I really went with the best I could afford (LOL, and understand)

Understand I am not complaining, this has been an excellent design that Gerald and the gang forged for us all. The design had the right level of skill requirements for me at the time. I was lucky to run across this site, and I took the risk as many have to invest time and resources in to it and this machine has paid for itself time and time again. Not everyone's does but mine has and still kicks ass!

These are just personal wants and wishes, and eventually I will make those changes just as soon as I finish my CO2 laser (which I've been talking about for some time) that I slowly work on every now and then.

Anyone else have wants/needs?

Servos would be nice but without the tie in to correct the error versus the software readout, it is an expense that really is not needed. Give me the software that takes the encoder readout and corrects the position. I am on board.

Yep that's what I'm all about.

That would be Linuxcnc software.

You are probably right. However it has been a century since I’ve used Unix let alone Linux (well maybe a half century) and I know absolutely that it is stable as heck, but I’ve gotten so far away from it... my son keeps telling me that I need to change as well...

Currently I’m standing at my MM #117drawing my next project, trying to get ready for the next job tomorrow. I really enjoying my machine...Time for a beer and call it a night.

Good to know other people stand in the shop late at night near midnight and ponder the next day, as well.

Too much pondering, I find myself sketching out new ideas too many times while I should be productive. I must have 45-50 notebooks of ideas (probably more) and the details of components for those ideas. I do come up with seriously good ones every now and then though.

Where is everybody? Quiet in here...

Hey Tom, still around but my machine is not operational at the moment. It is stuck in a single car garage along with everything else. Waiting on my local council to approve my new garage....then the fun will begin again.

Don’t you love ‘councils’? I’ve not been doing too much lately, I need to change my vfd, it’s doing funny things. That’ll be easy enough though. I’m considering changing to screw drive

Hi Tom.
I am still around.
Had a few problems with damp this week.
Monsoon season here.

Looks like the old gang is coming ‘round! Good to hear from you Al, I bet it is damp there. How’s your beast running lately?

Hi Tom.
Sent you a pm.