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?
If you decide to buy instead, check out this one:
Thanks. BTW, here's an installation report with photos that Scott W. sent me (on a woodworking lathe, but same diff):
Two pickups can be switched with a DPDT toggle (diagram on last page of this manual:
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
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.
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....
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.Oops, forgot to add: that bike speedometer is currently on sale for $13.95.
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
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