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Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Drilling machines

From: Jim <n6otq@...>
Date: 2013-06-11

Well, it uses a parallel port for connectivity.  That may pose a problem in a few years when PC makers have utterly abandoned that interface -- the machine should outlast a computer.

It takes G code, so as long as you can find software on W1nd0ze (or maybe Linux??) to support that AND a parallel interface on a replacement PC, you should be good to go. 

Since I've recently had some really bad experiences with Communist Chinese-supplied USB cables, I cannot blindly recommend using a parallel-to USB interface box/cable.

I know that if I were in the market for something like this (and I kind of AM looking), I'd start with the software on my OS of choice first, and then go with a USB interface.  Finally the product differentiator would be the actual hardware.

Basically if it won't support some flavor of ∗nix (I prefer a certain bundled BSD Unix) and USB, I won't use it.

73
Jim N6OTQ



>________________________________
> From: Dave <dave.g4ugm@...>
>To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
>Sent: Monday, June 10, 2013 5:29 PM
>Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Drilling machines, cheap Ebay routers
>
>   
>How do you compare these. I was looking at one of these:-
>
>http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-3020-CNC-UPDATE-ROUTER-ENGRAVER-ENGRAVING-DRILLING-AND-MILLING-MACHINE-c1-/290928956948
>
>any idea what the difference is?

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