BOXFORD CNC LATHE (2)
by John
This is the list of components and prices (AUD 2013) which was required to update the electronics so the Boxford 125 TCL would run on Mach3 and Windows.
Breakout board C11 $129
Index pulse board C3 $26
Gecko stepper drivers G251 $68 x2
Relays, relay bases, parallel port cable, Estop button ~$80
Power supply $30
Wireless MPG from China Ebay $129
Heat sinks and adhesive $20
Other cables, connectors, power sockets ~$100
PC (an old Dell, running XP Pro, perfectly adequate for Mach 3) free
Flat screen free, wireless keyboard and mouse free.
Support arm for Screen $60
Trolley $200
It all adds up to $AUD910. Plus the original $1500 for the lathe. That is pretty inexpensive for a quality CNC lathe. I am told that the Boxford retailed for about $30,000 in 1985!
Some before and after photos of the conversion…
The back of the lathe opened, showing the old electricals The spindle motor is top right.
The electricals after the conversion. Some of the old components were retained. The lights are on the breakout board.
johnsmachines 
Hi John,
I am rebuilding one of these lathes, There is some kind of plastic (I think) behind the lathe ways that I assume is there for vibration damping. Mine looks to be in pretty bad condition and parts are peeling off.
I am just wondering if you scraped all thisstuff or if you left it there?
Thanks,
William Hamilton
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Hi William, I did not disturb the ways on my Boxford so I do not really know. Could it be packing, to even out any irregularities in the way foundation? I did encounter something like that under the tailpost base which I assumed was to improve the tailpost alignment. I would be inclined to put it back. John.
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