BBC Micro on 5 1/4" Floppy drive wanted

kadman

Hi, I know its a long shot but here goes.

I have a Boxford CNC lathe that was originally operated using a BBC micro, and 5 1/4" floppy drive, none of which came with the lathe.

The only computer link to the lathe is a 34 pin ribbon for the floppy drive. I am unable to find an adaptor to suit a 34 pin arrangement to connect it to my laptop, hence this request.

If you know of a solution, or a floppy drive or bbc micro available can you give me the heads up. Thanks

kadman

GreenWolfe

I remember around the time I started LC Engineering (that's a while ago now!) that our secondary school got a letter offering a retrofit to Boxford lathes that were originally distributed to schools in the 1980's. I don't recall the price but I'm sure it was expensive. The one in our school was hooked up to an IBM-compatible 80286 PC, without the 80287 co-processor though.

A quick web search leads to people retrofitting their own CNC lathes to work with updated software and interfaces, that may be the best place to start if you're handy with electronics.

kadman

EarthlyPangaea wrote: »

I remember around the time I started LC Engineering (that's a while ago now!) that our secondary school got a letter offering a retrofit to Boxford lathes that were originally distributed to schools in the 1980's. I don't recall the price but I'm sure it was expensive. The one in our school was hooked up to an IBM-compatible 80286 PC, without the 80287 co-processor though.

A quick web search leads to people retrofitting their own CNC lathes to work with updated software and interfaces, that may be the best place to start if you're handy with electronics.

Hi,

I have done the research on the Boxford, and I know exactly where you are coming from, about retrofitting with new interfaces ect.

My electrical experience is virtually zero, so thats not an option for me. I,ve had some crazy quotes for refurbing, 6k from boxford. Although the necessary refurb parts are about 150 euro.

If I could get someone to do it for me at a reasonable price, I,d jump at it. I,ve been reliably informed its less than a days work, as its only controller boards ect to be changed..

kadman

ScumLord

I know people that have made their own CNC machines from scratch. I think there's a hobby scene out there for it. I think EarthlyPangaea suggestion of seeing if you can just replace the control unit for something newer rather than trying to find an original control unit would be much cheaper and open much more opportunities with downloading g-code for the machine.

It may be as simple as rewiring the connectors to something more modern.

kadman

ScumLord wrote: »

I know people that have made their own CNC machines from scratch. I think there's a hobby scene out there for it. I think EarthlyPangaea suggestion of seeing if you can just replace the control unit for something newer rather than trying to find an original control unit would be much cheaper and open much more opportunities with downloading g-code for the machine.

It may be as simple as rewiring the connectors to something more modern.

You may well be right. But there is a significant amount of electronics knowledge required to test, and wire in the new driver boards, and the speed control board ect. And unfortunately thats where I would be let down to be honest, I dont have that skill.

kadman

kadman

Had a recent quote from Boxfords agent in Ireland, 1500 minimum. So at the moment, I,d be inclined to source the 5 1/4" flopp disc drive at least.

kadman

Khannie

ebay would probably be your best bet. If you still have the floppy, there's a good chance that the data on it has degraded in the 20+ years that it's been around though so even if you get it, it's a gamble.

Khannie

Wow. They're tough to source. I eventually found this which might be worth a punt. Only thing I'd say is to get clarification that the ribbon cable is included in the sale as it says "THIS SALE IS FOR THE DRIVE ONLY NOTHING ELSE IS INCLUDED IN THIS SALE".