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Post by cyberbillp on Jan 5, 2015 13:49:07 GMT -5
So I've decided to purchase a new HS1.
I'm gathering up what I need to order, but due to the fact that the internet remembers everything that was ever posted online forever, its rather confusing choosing a PC. So my question is this:
Would a perfect PC for the HS1 have an LPT port or is it really ok to get the USB adapter? I guess I'm what asking is if the USB adapter is REALLY bullet proof? Or is it just another headache to massage and coax into working? I'll buy/build a PC to my needs, but Parallel ports are getting scarce, and if the USB adapter is rock solid then it makes it easier to build a PC.
So another question I have is the OS. I have not decided between the three software options but it looks like it'll come down to either VCarve, or Cut2D plus Cut 3D feeding Mach3 which means Windows. Personally I like Windows 7 Professional 64bit. Does Mach 3, the USB Adapter and VCarve all support Win7-64 perfectly? I read lots about being 32bit only, and I assume this is resolved?
My thoughts are that if everything works correctly now a days then I would go with:
AMD Quad Core A8 5600 or something close.
8 GB RAM (I know it's overkill)
FM2 Mobo - Likely does not have Parallel port
256MB SSD because they are only about $60 now.
Windows 7 Pro 64 Bit
UC-100 USB interface.
Would this be THE recommended system to drive the HS1 today in 2015? Or am I better off hunting up older hardware?
The difference in price between old/new is really only a couple hundred bucks. I'm looking at the HS1 as a tool, not necessarily as a pure hobby endeavor (same reason that I'm buying as opposed to building) so a couple hundred bux isn't as important to me as is getting something reliable that works 100% (more or less).
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Post by cyberbillp on Jan 5, 2015 18:13:37 GMT -5
So a few hours of reading later, I'm coming to the conclusion that I need to resurrect an old fanless Mini Itx, single core system with an LPT port. I have a couple Win2k (and Win98 and Win 95) install discs laying around, so I should be set for an OS.
Now off to see if THAT is a viable option.
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Post by cyberbillp on Jan 5, 2015 20:27:54 GMT -5
More hours of reading and even two refurb PCs in shopping carts, and I'm back to using the UC100 USB device. *sigh*
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Jim
New Member
Posts: 36
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Post by Jim on Jan 6, 2015 23:18:40 GMT -5
Are you having problems with the UC100? I just purchased one to use with a new computer'
Jim
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Post by cyberbillp on Jan 7, 2015 9:01:57 GMT -5
I just purchased one last night. I'm starting to gather up the stuff I need to get going. I'm waiting on my money to arrive (loan) to do the actual Hs1 purchase. In the meantime I've been figuring out how to drive it.
At first, I read bad things about usb adapters, but after reading about the uc100, I feel better. Apparently it's a full on computer in its own right, dedicated to driving the router. So any lame pc that can shove out a few text commands will work. Timing be d**ned, It's not relevant. I found some guy on YouTube driving his with a tablet. So that's the route I went. I ordered a tw801 Win 8 tablet last night and the uc100. The same company makes UCCNC, their own Mach 3. So I figured I would stick with the same company and use that. Mach 3 should work if end up there. But I have to save $100 by using UCCNC if possible. The tablet was $150.
I'll report back how it works. I understand the hs1 takes a month to build, and I'm still a week away from my money. So it'll be February before I know if it works.
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Post by cyberbillp on Jan 12, 2015 23:01:46 GMT -5
HS1 On order as of last night.
Can't wait!
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Post by georgemyers on Feb 1, 2015 21:50:47 GMT -5
cyberbillp
I first ran Mach3 on a old Dell machine running windows 95. did not have much horsepower but more than enough for Mach3. I tried a USB interface once but that did not work. This was back around 2008 so maybe new ones are better. I did have success using USB via the smoothstepper board. In the end I went back to the pc parallel interface. Can't remember why I took out the smoothstepper too many years have passed I may have been troubleshooting a pc problem and just left it out when everything started working.
You will like the HS1. I have had no problems with mine that were the fault of the machine. My first suggestion would be to get some kind of vac syste
Just noticed your last post was on the 12, do you have your HS1 running yet, let us know what you are doing, pics are always nice of projects people are doing.
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Post by cyberbillp on Feb 2, 2015 8:17:46 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. I'm still waiting on the machine, it's a long time to remain patient for sure.
It seems this new uc100 is actually a motion controller, so it should work ok. Or so I hope. We'll know soon presumably.
I did order the vac attachment. :-)
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Post by georgemyers on Feb 2, 2015 17:12:26 GMT -5
Should not be too long, I know the feeling, when I ordered mine I never thought the Fedex guy would ever get to my area. Following are a few thing I learned along the way. Not sure what type spindle you will be running but if it is a router I highly can highly recommend the Precision Collets, (if they make them for your router)holds the bits much better then the normal router collets with much less force. www.precisebits.com/gateways/ColletsNutsHome.htmBits...I bought some very expensive bits and some very cheap ones. Too be honest I never saw much difference in my work. Get the spiral cutters they cut much better then the straight with much less noise. Work hold down......depending on the size of your project holding it down sometimes can be interesting. I tried many different ways but the quickest and easiest way was just to put a sacrificial piece of MDF on the table top and use a brad nail gun to hold down the work. I tried many different types of two sided tape and it works but you have to be careful as the constant side movement of the router will sometimes push your work and all it take is a very very slight movement of the work to completely ruin it. When I did use two sided tape I learned quick to take shallow cuts to keep from the router moving on the tape. I tried the type of hold downs that you see on larger mills but never liked them. Too big and with a vac shoe on you had to be very careful setting up your work so they would not come in contact with each other. Some people on this forum have came up with really good ways to hold down the work. I use VcarvePro for my cad/cam program and can't say enough about it. Very easy to learn. Support very good on par with support you will get from Ron. I tried other cad/cam demo's and the learning curve was too much for me. After a long pause in using my HS1 I am just now in a position to set it back up and start making things again. If you have any questions this forum has been very good at answering your question or giving suggestions. And if that fails Ron is on top of things really quick. Enough rambling, hope you get your HS1 soon you WILL enjoy it. |
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Post by cyberbillp on Feb 2, 2015 23:30:24 GMT -5
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Post by georgemyers on Feb 3, 2015 19:04:04 GMT -5
About the Z gauge, I made one by using a piece of scrap aluminum wired to the port I set up for it. Worked great and cost nothing, I used it all the time. Quick and easy to use. On the Vectric software. If you buy VCarve Pro you will not need Cut2D as the Pro has all it's features. Aspire has all the Pro features plus the 3D stuff. I never upgraded to Aspire as I never had much of a reason to do my own 3D art. I am really bad at playing with the 3D Cad programs anyway much less try anything that would be considered art. Plus the price was high for the few times I do 3D art work. I did buy some pre-done stuff from www.vectorart3d.com/ and used the free 3D-Machinist software to create the tool path and import it to Vcarve Pro. On the Romaxx site in the gallery Ron has a few pieces I did from Vectorart, one is the Marine plaque. That took the rope art and the Marine emblem from Vectorart, created the toolpath for each and then imported each to Pro and did the 2D text and cutout. Also a Mermaid I did from Vectorart. The UC100 looks to be a nice interface, wish they had it back when I first bought my equipment. I looked at the emachineshop cad program if you like it you will like VcarvePro, about as easy as emachineshop with some added options to make drawing very easy and time saver. |
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Post by cyberbillp on Feb 4, 2015 8:11:35 GMT -5
I love the Marines plaque! I can't wait for the HS1 to get here.
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Post by cyberbillp on Mar 17, 2015 12:17:09 GMT -5
Had the HS1 for awhile now.
TW801 Windows Tablet drives it perfectly.
I've already made $100's in parts, but I've never got the table level so I can reliably do things like countersinking and stuff.
I'm going to put down a layer of plywood, then level it by routering a mm off the top.
In retrospec I would not get this monster router (Dewalt 618). Everything else is perfect.
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Post by georgemyers on Mar 19, 2015 0:15:43 GMT -5
Nice to hear you can use a windows tablet, I have wondered about that. A larger router does seem to make things go a little better. I ran a trim router on mine for a few months and when I changed over to the larger PC router I was surprised that difference it makes. Was able to take deeper cuts and run a little faster depending on what I was using for hold downs.
I put mdf on top of my aluminum top, takes a bit of Z axis space away but worth in IMO, I still managed to really make some ugly cuts and scrapes in the aluminum base, really ruined my day when I did a 2 inch gash using a 1 in surfacing bit. Was playing around and forgot to change the depth of cut after I had already made a cut.
Did you get VcarvePro, I just was reading about the new version 8 and it has some really nice 3D options. I guess I will have to break down and upgrade as I am still running v5.5. If I had the v8 when I did the Marine Plague it would have made it a VERY easy job.
Congrage on your new machine. You will enjoy it.
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Post by cyberbillp on Mar 19, 2015 9:05:53 GMT -5
Yup, Vectric sent me upgrade info just out of the blue. They upgraded me for free. I'm generally cutting 2d flat parts out of lexan, so haven't gotten into the new 3d features yet.
I still need a suitable vacuum. Hand vac is overwhelmed.
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