Looking for guidance on spindle relay control

[easyar15dotcom]

Read up on A LOT of threads here on the boards regarding adding a relay controller and wiring directly to the "SpinDir" pins.  I think that the threads by 
Bruce
/Forum Guru are a bit complex for the simple task I'm trying to complete.

Couple questions:

1. Is SpinDir the right pins or would SpnEn be better?

2. I understand that I have to edit something to enable M3 (turn on) and M5 (turn off).  Where is this done and how exactly should it be inputted?

3. Are there any UGS settings that need to be edited?


*Specs
Running with the M3 with the Dewalt DWP611 and UGS. CAD is through Vcarve Desktop and the post processor states that its "Grbl (inch) (*.gcode)". Wiring to www.amazon.com/dp/B00WV7GMA2/ref=nav_timeline_asin?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1


4. Bonus question - If any of the above answers are to edit in my post processor, how is that accomplished?


Really dumb it down for me please - Thanks gurus!

[Bruce]

Couple questions:

1. Is SpinDir the right pins or would SpnEn be better? Things got a bit turned around on the CNC Shield ver 3.1  The PWM output that produces the 0-5vdc for the spindle speed control is output on the Z+ pins. So the Z+ limit switch input is moved to the SpnEn pins.  I used SpnDir as the start/stop signal rather than a direction signal.  You could use the speed signal itself to start and stop the spindle. Speed 0=stop and Speed greater than 0= start. But most programs will use M5 to stop rather than speed 0.   

2. I understand that I have to edit something to enable M3 (turn on) and M5 (turn off). Where is this done and how exactly should it be inputted?
Checkout the link for this thread: millrightcnc.proboards.com/thread/1485/additional-changes-grbl-facilitate-control
You will have to use the Arduino IDE to edit the GRBL config.h file. Go to YouTube and search for "how to edit grbl config.h" for more info on that task.
 
3. Are there any UGS settings that need to be edited? No, All the settings are in the GRBL firmware.


4. Bonus question - If any of the above answers are to edit in my post processor, how is that accomplished?  If you use the 0 speed for a stop you most likely will need to add an "M3 S0" to the end of the G-code to turn off the spindle. The G-Code can be edited by any text editor like Notepad.

[easyar15dotcom]

Thank you Bruce, I have indeed previous to my post, tried to read that linked post quite a few times and couldn't quite wrap my head around the process. Does it matter that I don't have a dedicated VFD as indicated all over that post?

[Bruce]

If you want to use a router and have automatic on/off control it will work the same way. You will need a heavy duty relay or motor starter/contactor to actually turn on/off the router rather than a VFD. Is that what you are looking to do?