Egyptian wheat. Not Shattercane!

For the past several years I have planted Egyptian wheat around edges of a few fields also in some 'thrown together' mixtures with other wildlife friendly plants. The plant was originally suggested to me by kitchen seed in Pittsfield, IL. I enjoy visiting here as they are knowledgeable, take the time to offer good insight by listening to your needs and are willing to sell a wide variety of seed in my small quantities.  I had inquired about quail food plot ideas and this was one of the suggested plants. I was fairly hesitant because I knew it was similar to ShatterCane (actually is the same genus and specie?).  I did not want to infest my farm or my neighbors farms with that invasive hard to control problem. I was assured the seed was infertile since planting I have not had any volunteer plants. The wheat has preformed very well for its intended purpose of feeding birds, particularly quail and turkey. I have seen all types of animal tracks in plots during winter. The plant seems to grow well in tough conditions: no-till and little to no 'weed control'. You can see from the photos it grows with significant grass competition. It grows very tall (>10') and produces a large seed head at the top. I estimate about the production per plant at about two cups. The seed is mature very late (late October/early November in midwest?) and seems to provide decent winter food. I try to mow around the edges of some plantings to foster good quail habitat (strips). Although I am still disappointed with the overall quail population, I feel I have seen more quail since I began planting. I do wonder, after seeing the minute size of a baby quail brood(?) last year if the seeds are small enough for the young?

One seed head. Spray paint lid.

Seed head. Most seed did not want to be removed yet.. still green in plants 

Single plant that seed head came from. About 8'

Random mixture planting

Couple rows no-till on field edge

4 rows next to field road. Mowed the adjacent sunflowers.  

CNC Rebuild Wiring Diagram Version 1

Below is a first shot at my CNC machine rebuild wiring diagram.  It contains a C11S parrallel port breakout board from CNC4PC.  3 KL-9082 Stepper Motor Drives from Keling. An Allen Bradely VFD drive to provide variable speed to the spindle driver.  I am controlling incoming power to the VFD with a relay.  The coil will power from the system 'master power'.  The enable input on all drives and the breakout board will be de-energized using an E-Stop.  Not sure about this configuration yet.  Diagram does not show any limits yet.

VFD Spindle Drive

My new mill has a 3 phase spindle motor.  I cannot get 3 phase where I live (without significant expense).  I looked into using a 7.5HP 3 phase motor I already have to create a rotory phase converter.  They sell pre-assembled 'control panels' which include capacitors and relays required to produce 3 phase power when wired to a motor.  While looking at these panels I came across an Allen Bradley VFD which can use single phase source to drive a 3 phase motor.  In addition to this conversion it will allow the ability to control spindle speed electronically.  After some research and shopping I purchased a Allen-Bradley 22F-A011N103 VFD for $125.  This unit should allow easy connection to my new PC Based CNC System (Software: Mach 3).  Many of the 'breakout boards' for PC CNC controls have a 0-10VDC speed control output and a dual relay configuration that can automatically activate using only two pins.. See preliminary wiring diagram.

Tri-onics Handyman CNC Knee Mill

Purchased an older 'CNC' mill.  The unit functions manually (if I had 3 phase power) and the CNC portion was considered non-functional.  Plan is to re-enable the cnc through pc control.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Table Size 10" x 50"
Table Load - Maximum 200 Lbs.
Table Travel - X-Axis 30"
Table Travel - Y-Axis 14"
Table Travel - Z-Axis 4-1/2"
Knee Travel 16"
Overarm Travel 24"
Rapid Traverse 35 IPM
Contouring Speed 9 IPM
Table Positioning Accuracy +-.001" inch/foot
Spindle Motor 3 HP
Spindle Speed Infinitely Variable 60-4,200 RPM
Spindle Taper NST30
Quill Diameter 3-3/8"
Approximate Dimensions 72" x 72" x 84"
Approximate Weight 2,800 Lbs.

EQUIPPED WITH:Power Draw Bar
One Shot Lubrication

EasyEDA - Circuit Diagram for Makers/Hobbyists

Using a new program to design wiring diagrams.  EasyEDA allows easy circuit diagraming (simple enough to use that it is quick).  It is also very sophisticated and will do SPICE analysis and circuit board designs.  So far I really like it.  I am learning to create components and hope this will simplify my designing process. I only use this for circuit diagrams.