Well, it’s been a while since I posted anything new. Since my spindle fried, I have had some challenges getting things back up and running. If anyone has followed my previous posts, you would know that I purchased a small trim router from harbor freight to replace the fried one. The actual router itself is not too terribly bad, but the collet is complete garbage. So after ruining a few a few pieces from the bit slipping in the collet, I decided on the Dewalt DWP-611 router. I ordered a mount from OB’s because I really had no way of making my own without breaking something else on my machine. One mount did not seem sufficient to me so I found a 3d printer file for almost the same mount that I bought, and was able to use it to cut a second mount from 3/4 plywood.
I also had to get a second collet for 1/8" bits from Elaire. Of course I ordered the one for the full sized router, and not the palm sized router. The shipping time is not very speedy, and I had to wait a couple of weeks to finally get that mess out of the way. I should say that the quality of their product is worthy of the long wait time!
Working beautiful with the 2 mount setup! Only thing I don’t like is the inability to control the power on/ off of the router itself with g-code commands. Not all that concerned about the spindle speed functionality. I ordered something I hope I can use to resolve that issue. It’s called a PowerSwitch Tail II from http://www.powerswitchtail dot com.
I am not positive that this will work, but I am hopeful. I am not educated enough about the difference between PWM control signals, and straight dc voltage output triggers, in conjunction with the outputs from the Arduino or the MKS control boards. If I understand correctly, I need only 3vdc to trigger the powerswitch tails’ relay @ 3mA. I believe I should be able to get this to work with the outputs for the laser??? Hopefully I won’t need to sacrifice the laser function though in order to do this. Maybe a second output header on the board???
Anyone that has any experience with this, feel free to share your knowledge.
With that said here are a couple of pics of my latest works. One redone, larger scale “The Last Supper” 10x19ish, and “Grandpa” 10.5x ? I forget now, lol. Happy carving all!
