Hello I have my cnc router built. I'm deciding on if I should have the xyz bars turned down and use a drive belt, or should i attach them straight to the nema motor shaft's. I use mach 3 software. any help is highly appricated. thanks and Merry Christmas to all

depends on the power of the motors. Direct would be best probably but may need the reduction to get the necessary torque.

Mine are attached direct (flex coupling) to the motor shafts.

Tweakie.

I'm using nema 23 277 oz. would I need a reduction?

I'm using nema 23 277 oz. would I need a reduction?

I think that only you can decide that. If you could obtain a torque gauge to measure your required axis drive torque, then say multiply it by 2. If this figure is less than your available 277oz you should be OK without a reduction.

Perhaps others may have a better guideline than this.

Tweakie.

Hello

do you know of a good 3 axis controller that isn't very expensive to use? I was going to use cw230 controller they about $50.00 each. One of them is bad and the company I got it from is out of stock. any suggestions?   thanks for your help

Hello

do you know of a good 3 axis controller that isn't very expensive to use?

Best performance in an inexpensive drive is the Gecko G540. $299, but it's a 4 axis drive. If you want the best  bang for the least amount of money, and you don't mind soldering, look at the HobbyCNC. It's unipolar, though.

www.geckodrive.com
www.hobbycnc.com

There are a ton of chinese drives on Ebay for under $100. Documentation is supposedly very poor, and I haven't heard of any user's experience with them.