Rambo or....?

[thermywood]

I’m completely new to the hobby CNC scene, I’ve had a 3d printer (anet a8) for a couple years and I ran a CNC router at work for 3 years.

I’ve decided to build the MPCNC and I’ve got it almost completely printed but I’m having trouble wrapping my head around all the different controller boards out there. I’m almost illiterate when it comes to controllers actually.

I plan on milling wood, plywood, and some aluminum. The dual endstop feature sounds nice but I’ve read most people don’t use it and therefore I’m assuming I don’t need it either.

My questions are:

1. Are my controller choices limited to Rambo and Rambo mini?

2. Are there alternatives? Are they better or cheaper?

3. If I decide on the Rambo/mini which one should I get?

4. Can I use a pc power supply? Is it simpler to use a regular dc power supply?

[barry99705 (Barry)]

@thermywood

I’m completely new to the hobby CNC scene, I’ve had a 3d printer (anet a8) for a couple years and I ran a CNC router at work for 3 years.

I’ve decided to build the MPCNC and I’ve got it almost completely printed but I’m having trouble wrapping my head around all the different controller boards out there. I’m almost illiterate when it comes to controllers actually.

I plan on milling wood, plywood, and some aluminum. The dual endstop feature sounds nice but I’ve read most people don’t use it and therefore I’m assuming I don’t need it either.

My questions are:

1. Are my controller choices limited to Rambo and Rambo mini?

Nope.

2. Are there alternatives? Are they better or cheaper?

Many. Better cheaper? Maybe? The Rambo is the current default/recommended. I’m still running an arduino/ramps stack, but I’ve had it running since we could still get reliable parts. The rambo is more fault tolerant than the ramps, and more folks around here are running it, so troubleshooting will be easier.

3. If I decide on the Rambo/mini which one should I get?

The only real difference is if you ever plan on doing dual endstops. Otherwise, the mini is cheaper.

4. Can I use a pc power supply? Is it simpler to use a regular dc power supply?
   I don’t see why not. 12v is 12v. Just make sure it’s big enough.

[coolturtle (Derek)]

I was wondering the same thing. My son and I want to build one of these and are in the planning stages. Was thinking of using the MKS Gen L board mostly because of the ability to swap Drivers as well as cost. It may not even be possible but was curious if anyone has tried a Lerdge board. I know the board has its own firmware and its not open source.