Category Archives: Electronics

CNC Build, Day 26 – Super-PID mods

I recently bought a Super-PID v2 to gain computer control of the router on/off. It also controls router speed, which might help my endmills last a little longer. Nice. It has a closed-loop feedback system (it commands a certain RPM … Continue reading

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Where you at?

Probably the most common phrase ever uttered on a cell phone. Competes with “You still there?” of course. 🙂 Anyway, back to the show. I built myself an Arduino-based GPS receiver last night. I used the GPS Logging Shield from … Continue reading

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prepping for Maker Faire

I dragged out the Arduino last night. It had been some time since I’d set up any circuits, and I wanted to get back in the game, so to speak, before going to Maker Faire. I have an abbreviated set … Continue reading

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CNC Build, Day 21 – on the case

OK, I knew I needed to work on getting the electronics mounted into a case. It’s a pain to have to unplug from the wall to turn things off. But last night’s catastrophe put me in a mood to get … Continue reading

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CNC Build, Day 20 – Robot self-upgrades!

I designed a new router mount for the CNC machine today, and the CNC machine cut it out! Long build notes below, but I just can’t help a “brag photo” first: oooh, pretty! OK, here’s how that object came to … Continue reading

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CNC Build, Day 17 – homefield advantage

I got the CNC machine unpacked and put back together today. I had in my mind that this is one of the last times I am going to be doing this, so I was careful to make sure that the … Continue reading

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CNC Build, Day 15 – first major roadblock

I am pretty sure that I have a blown motor. I did all the troubleshooting that I could, and the failure follows the motor. Also, while trying to diagnose the problem, I am pretty sure that I blew a motor … Continue reading

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CNC Build, Day 14 – Troubleshooting begins

I only got a small session on the CNC machine today. When I left it, both X and Y axes had locked up. I have several suspects, not the least of them being non-linearity of the various bearings and holes, … Continue reading

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CNC Build, Day 13, part 2 – First sawdust

I got a chance to install the control software (Mach3) and try out the machine tonight. It went about as well as I expected. I got all 3 axes to jog, but I need to tune the step size, because … Continue reading

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CNC Build, Day 10 – Things you can get done when you can’t get anything done

I spent the past couple of days driving up to WA for summer vacation. I packed the CNC machine in the trailer; it takes up a little less room than a telescope imaging rig. Everything seems to have made it … Continue reading

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