Anyone in here good with electronics? I would like to build a digital
spindle tach with multiple input selection on strobe signal. I would like to
mount to the wall above my bench, then run sensor wires to both my lathe and
my mill.

why strobe? you are doing this the hard way. use a prox sensor (keyance
makes them, for example) and a programmable tach - red lion, minarik, even
the one that Spehro Pefhany sells - what is your purpose with these
measurments, spindle speed or something else?


"Grady" wrote in message
news:2dIFd.18073$c%.10745@okepread05...
Anyone in here good with electronics? I would like to build a digital
spindle tach with multiple input selection on strobe signal. I would like
to
mount to the wall above my bench, then run sensor wires to both my lathe
and
my mill.

Grady wrote:

Anyone in here good with electronics? I would like to build a digital
spindle tach with multiple input selection on strobe signal. I would like to
mount to the wall above my bench, then run sensor wires to both my lathe and
my mill.



If you decide to buy instead, check out this one:
http://www.mkctools.com/tachulator.htm

GWE

On Thu, 13 Jan 2005 23:31:28 -0800, the renowned "william_b_noble"
wrote:

why strobe? you are doing this the hard way. use a prox sensor (keyance
makes them, for example) and a programmable tach - red lion, minarik, even
the one that Spehro Pefhany sells - what is your purpose with these
measurments, spindle speed or something else?

Thanks. BTW, here's an installation report with photos that Scott W.
sent me (on a woodworking lathe, but same diff):

http://home.comcast.net/~scottgrp/tachulator.htm

Skip's tacho (mentioned in another post) uses my module inside as
well, BTW.

Two pickups can be switched with a DPDT toggle (diagram on last page
of this manual: http://www.trexon.com/pdfs/tachulator_module_revB.pdf)

Either is about 100.00.

I've also got some laser handheld tachs if you'd prefer that, for less
money. And an automotive multimeter coming up for that kind of RPM
(inductive pickup off the sparkplug).

Does anyone use stroboscopes these days? I've made a prototype
digitally controlled strobe that might be good for looking closely at
the operation of machinery with linkages and that sort of thing, but
no real plans to produce it at this point.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

Strictly spindle speed. I figured strobe would be cheaper than prox. I am
not against anything that will work well under vibration and not cost an arm
and a leg, and that I can assemble myself.


"william_b_noble" wrote in message
news:1105687447.bb718ef0ee76f23e8f5dc62d2cd5932e@t eranews...
why strobe? you are doing this the hard way. use a prox sensor (keyance
makes them, for example) and a programmable tach - red lion, minarik, even
the one that Spehro Pefhany sells - what is your purpose with these
measurments, spindle speed or something else?


"Grady" wrote in message
news:2dIFd.18073$c%.10745@okepread05...
Anyone in here good with electronics? I would like to build a digital
spindle tach with multiple input selection on strobe signal. I would like
to
mount to the wall above my bench, then run sensor wires to both my lathe
and
my mill.

Spehro Pefhany wrote:

On Thu, 13 Jan 2005 23:31:28 -0800, the renowned "william_b_noble"
wrote:


why strobe? you are doing this the hard way. use a prox sensor (keyance
makes them, for example) and a programmable tach - red lion, minarik, even
the one that Spehro Pefhany sells - what is your purpose with these
measurments, spindle speed or something else?


Thanks. BTW, here's an installation report with photos that Scott W.
sent me (on a woodworking lathe, but same diff):

http://home.comcast.net/~scottgrp/tachulator.htm

Skip's tacho (mentioned in another post) uses my module inside as
well, BTW.

Two pickups can be switched with a DPDT toggle (diagram on last page
of this manual: http://www.trexon.com/pdfs/tachulator_module_revB.pdf)

Either is about 100.00.

I've also got some laser handheld tachs if you'd prefer that, for less
money. And an automotive multimeter coming up for that kind of RPM
(inductive pickup off the sparkplug).

Does anyone use stroboscopes these days? I've made a prototype
digitally controlled strobe that might be good for looking closely at
the operation of machinery with linkages and that sort of thing, but
no real plans to produce it at this point.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
Yes I have a Stroboscope - black box type not the newer gray models.
I have to re-new the power supply - electrolytic have gone. It is ~ 50 years old.
But Paid for!

Martin

--
Martin Eastburn, Barbara Eastburn
@ home at Lion's Lair with our computer
NRA LOH, NRA Life
NRA Second Amendment Task Force Charter Founder

"Martin H. Eastburn" wrote in message
m...
Spehro Pefhany wrote:
Does anyone use stroboscopes these days? I've made a prototype
digitally controlled strobe that might be good for looking closely at
the operation of machinery with linkages and that sort of thing, but
no real plans to produce it at this point.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

Yes I have a Stroboscope - black box type not the newer gray models.
I have to re-new the power supply - electrolytic have gone. It is ~ 50
years old.
But Paid for!

Martin


I hear ya! I have an old General Radio strobe at work and it's still the
best one I've ever used....

Grady wrote:
Strictly spindle speed. ... not cost an arm
and a leg, and that I can assemble myself.

At the bottom for cost would be a bicycle speedometer. I use a Sigma
Sport on my drill press. By using the kph mode and setting the
circumference to 1666mm (IIRC), the speedometer reads in 10's of RPM.
E.g., 30 kph at 300 rpm. It uses a magnet and pickup. Works to about
3300 rpm, IIRC.

http://www.cccyclery.com/sigmasp.html

Bob

Oops, forgot to add: that bike speedometer is currently on sale for $13.95.

On Fri, 14 Jan 2005 15:30:32 -0500, Spehro Pefhany
wrote:


I've also got some laser handheld tachs if you'd prefer that, for less
money.

I use one of Spehros laser tachs and its DAMNED NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I use it at least 2-3 times a week and its dead nuts accurate out to
surprisingly long distances.

Thanks again!

Gunner

"At the core of liberalism is the spoiled child -
miserable, as all spoiled children are, unsatisfied,
demanding, ill-disciplined, despotic and useless.
Liberalism is a philosphy of sniveling brats." -- P.J. O'Rourke

Excellent idea. But it looks like it only has 2 digits. If you are using a
multiplier of 10, how can you read out anything past 99 or 990 rpm?


"Bob Engelhardt" wrote in message
...
Grady wrote:
Strictly spindle speed. ... not cost an arm and a leg, and that I can
assemble myself.

At the bottom for cost would be a bicycle speedometer. I use a Sigma
Sport on my drill press. By using the kph mode and setting the
circumference to 1666mm (IIRC), the speedometer reads in 10's of RPM.
E.g., 30 kph at 300 rpm. It uses a magnet and pickup. Works to about
3300 rpm, IIRC.

http://www.cccyclery.com/sigmasp.html

Bob

Grady wrote:

Excellent idea. But it looks like it only has 2 digits. ...

Mine is definitely 3 digits. Bob

I didn't see the original post but if you're looking for an easy
spindle tach check this out:

http://www.seanet.com/~dmauch/

Scroll down, its towards the bottom of this rather long page.



On Sat, 15 Jan 2005 16:01:35 -0600, "Grady" wrote:

Excellent idea. But it looks like it only has 2 digits. If you are using a
multiplier of 10, how can you read out anything past 99 or 990 rpm?


"Bob Engelhardt" wrote in message
...
Grady wrote:
Strictly spindle speed. ... not cost an arm and a leg, and that I can
assemble myself.

At the bottom for cost would be a bicycle speedometer. I use a Sigma
Sport on my drill press. By using the kph mode and setting the
circumference to 1666mm (IIRC), the speedometer reads in 10's of RPM.
E.g., 30 kph at 300 rpm. It uses a magnet and pickup. Works to about
3300 rpm, IIRC.

http://www.cccyclery.com/sigmasp.html

Bob

Yes, I already have this one bookmarked. It looks like a quality unit, and I
like the fact that it is already setup to accept 2 sensors on imput and
switch between the two. Could do both the lathe and the mill relatively
cheap this way.


"LP" wrote in message
...
I didn't see the original post but if you're looking for an easy
spindle tach check this out:

http://www.seanet.com/~dmauch/

Scroll down, its towards the bottom of this rather long page.



On Sat, 15 Jan 2005 16:01:35 -0600, "Grady" wrote:

Excellent idea. But it looks like it only has 2 digits. If you are using a
multiplier of 10, how can you read out anything past 99 or 990 rpm?


"Bob Engelhardt" wrote in message
...
Grady wrote:
Strictly spindle speed. ... not cost an arm and a leg, and that I can
assemble myself.

At the bottom for cost would be a bicycle speedometer. I use a Sigma
Sport on my drill press. By using the kph mode and setting the
circumference to 1666mm (IIRC), the speedometer reads in 10's of RPM.
E.g., 30 kph at 300 rpm. It uses a magnet and pickup. Works to about
3300 rpm, IIRC.

http://www.cccyclery.com/sigmasp.html

Bob

I use on of these on my lathe along with a mag. pickup sensing the gear on
the back end of the spindle.
http://www.redlion.net/Products/Digi...ation/DT8.html
Battery powered and easy to use.

Randy


"Grady" wrote in message
news:SHtGd.18805$c%.34@okepread05...
Yes, I already have this one bookmarked. It looks like a quality unit, and
I
like the fact that it is already setup to accept 2 sensors on imput and
switch between the two. Could do both the lathe and the mill relatively
cheap this way.


"LP" wrote in message
...
I didn't see the original post but if you're looking for an easy
spindle tach check this out:

http://www.seanet.com/~dmauch/

Scroll down, its towards the bottom of this rather long page.



On Sat, 15 Jan 2005 16:01:35 -0600, "Grady" wrote:

Excellent idea. But it looks like it only has 2 digits. If you are using
a
multiplier of 10, how can you read out anything past 99 or 990 rpm?


"Bob Engelhardt" wrote in message
...
Grady wrote:
Strictly spindle speed. ... not cost an arm and a leg, and that I can
assemble myself.

At the bottom for cost would be a bicycle speedometer. I use a Sigma
Sport on my drill press. By using the kph mode and setting the
circumference to 1666mm (IIRC), the speedometer reads in 10's of RPM.
E.g., 30 kph at 300 rpm. It uses a magnet and pickup. Works to about
3300 rpm, IIRC.

http://www.cccyclery.com/sigmasp.html

Bob

What mag pickup are you using? Is it sensing a metal gear, or a plastic
gear with something metal you have secured to it?


"R. O'Brian" wrote in message
newsSyGd.37360$Wo.14125@lakeread08...
I use on of these on my lathe along with a mag. pickup sensing the gear on
the back end of the spindle.
http://www.redlion.net/Products/Digi...ation/DT8.html
Battery powered and easy to use.

Randy


"Grady" wrote in message
news:SHtGd.18805$c%.34@okepread05...
Yes, I already have this one bookmarked. It looks like a quality unit,
and
I
like the fact that it is already setup to accept 2 sensors on imput and
switch between the two. Could do both the lathe and the mill relatively
cheap this way.


"LP" wrote in message
...
I didn't see the original post but if you're looking for an easy
spindle tach check this out:

http://www.seanet.com/~dmauch/

Scroll down, its towards the bottom of this rather long page.



On Sat, 15 Jan 2005 16:01:35 -0600, "Grady" wrote:

Excellent idea. But it looks like it only has 2 digits. If you are
using
a
multiplier of 10, how can you read out anything past 99 or 990 rpm?


"Bob Engelhardt" wrote in message
...
Grady wrote:
Strictly spindle speed. ... not cost an arm and a leg, and that I
can
assemble myself.

At the bottom for cost would be a bicycle speedometer. I use a Sigma
Sport on my drill press. By using the kph mode and setting the
circumference to 1666mm (IIRC), the speedometer reads in 10's of RPM.
E.g., 30 kph at 300 rpm. It uses a magnet and pickup. Works to
about
3300 rpm, IIRC.

http://www.cccyclery.com/sigmasp.html

Bob

You might also want to check out WWW.shumatech.com Really a 3 axis
DRO but can also be used as a tach. So you could have a two axis dro
and a tach for a bit over $100.
Dan

On 16 Jan 2005 20:44:10 -0800, wrote:

You might also want to check out WWW.shumatech.com Really a 3 axis
DRO but can also be used as a tach. So you could have a two axis dro
and a tach for a bit over $100.
Dan


Just a little follow-on info. That $100 is for the display only. You
still have to get/mount scales, or modify/mount digital calipers. This
is what provides the display with it's input.

The tach requires that you buy parts and build an IR pickup. Parts
for that are about $5 as I recall.

I'm using the 3-axis DRO on my Smithy and total cost was somewhere in
the neighborhood of $300.

If all 3-axis' on the dro are being used, a tach can still be mounted.
There is a separate input on the back of the case for it, and
push-button switching to make the z-axis read either the mill quill
position or RPM. Whether it reads lathe or mill RPM depends on where
you mount the IR pickup.

I'm using the MP-62TA , I think. It is sensing a steel gear.
See
http://www.redlion.net/Products/Grou...Docs/11005.pdf

Randy


"Grady" wrote in message
news:HVCGd.18847$c%.5225@okepread05...
What mag pickup are you using? Is it sensing a metal gear, or a plastic
gear with something metal you have secured to it?


"R. O'Brian" wrote in message
newsSyGd.37360$Wo.14125@lakeread08...
I use on of these on my lathe along with a mag. pickup sensing the gear
on
the back end of the spindle.

http://www.redlion.net/Products/Digi...ation/DT8.html
Battery powered and easy to use.

Randy


"Grady" wrote in message
news:SHtGd.18805$c%.34@okepread05...
Yes, I already have this one bookmarked. It looks like a quality unit,
and
I
like the fact that it is already setup to accept 2 sensors on imput and
switch between the two. Could do both the lathe and the mill relatively
cheap this way.


"LP" wrote in message
...
I didn't see the original post but if you're looking for an easy
spindle tach check this out:

http://www.seanet.com/~dmauch/

Scroll down, its towards the bottom of this rather long page.



On Sat, 15 Jan 2005 16:01:35 -0600, "Grady" wrote:

Excellent idea. But it looks like it only has 2 digits. If you are
using
a
multiplier of 10, how can you read out anything past 99 or 990 rpm?


"Bob Engelhardt" wrote in message
...
Grady wrote:
Strictly spindle speed. ... not cost an arm and a leg, and that I
can
assemble myself.

At the bottom for cost would be a bicycle speedometer. I use a
Sigma
Sport on my drill press. By using the kph mode and setting the
circumference to 1666mm (IIRC), the speedometer reads in 10's of
RPM.
E.g., 30 kph at 300 rpm. It uses a magnet and pickup. Works to
about
3300 rpm, IIRC.

http://www.cccyclery.com/sigmasp.html

Bob

Sorry I meant for a little over $100 you can have a tach and a two axis
DRO display.

You would still need to buy the the scales. But worth checking out.

Dan

LP wrote:
On 16 Jan 2005 20:44:10 -0800, wrote:

You might also want to check out WWW.shumatech.com Really a 3
axis
DRO but can also be used as a tach. So you could have a two axis
dro
and a tach for a bit over $100.
Dan