I've been pondering over making a Laser Centering Jig patterned after Dan Gelbart's concept.
For anyone not familiar with Dan's idea, here's a video, he discusses it at 2:10 and talks about it for about 3 minutes. Ignore his choice in mill, if you watch the later part of the video he shows that he has better taste in lathes. Very clever guy.![]()
I have ordered this DIY laser ponter kit, to use for mine.
DIY Red Laser Pointer-ScientificsOnline.com
I'm pondering a design that could be used for both the ER40 collet nut, as well as the vertical head spindle, which is almost exactly the same size at the top of the taper on the spindle nose.
There is a small area, that i think I can turn a thin ring that could register on that area at the top of the taper. and use magnets to secure it to the spindle.
On the ER40 chuck, it would slip over the outer diameter of the collet nut, and have a small step to register on the face of the nut itself.
Also thought about circular vs. rectangular design, and it seems the reason Dan's uses a rectangular design is to get space for the laser and batteries itself.
I'm going to replace the 2 x AAA batteries with a smaller watch battery, so will get a small holder to replace the one in the kit. I will also use a mini-toggle or similar instead of the momentary switch in the kit.
Here's Dan's patent, in case you haven't seen it.
Laser centering jig - Gelbart, Daniel
If you google you'll find others that people have made, some with mixed results, some good. I think the shape has a bit to do with it, and am planning to copy Dan's design in the video kinda sorta...there have been a number of jigs that have a shank and fit into a collet, but the problem with that style is you need to retool to use the jig. If the jig fits over the tool, you can use the same tool without having to retool for each centering.
Comments?
Cheers,
Alan
For anyone not familiar with Dan's idea, here's a video, he discusses it at 2:10 and talks about it for about 3 minutes. Ignore his choice in mill, if you watch the later part of the video he shows that he has better taste in lathes. Very clever guy.
I have ordered this DIY laser ponter kit, to use for mine.
DIY Red Laser Pointer-ScientificsOnline.com
I'm pondering a design that could be used for both the ER40 collet nut, as well as the vertical head spindle, which is almost exactly the same size at the top of the taper on the spindle nose.
There is a small area, that i think I can turn a thin ring that could register on that area at the top of the taper. and use magnets to secure it to the spindle.
On the ER40 chuck, it would slip over the outer diameter of the collet nut, and have a small step to register on the face of the nut itself.
Also thought about circular vs. rectangular design, and it seems the reason Dan's uses a rectangular design is to get space for the laser and batteries itself.
I'm going to replace the 2 x AAA batteries with a smaller watch battery, so will get a small holder to replace the one in the kit. I will also use a mini-toggle or similar instead of the momentary switch in the kit.
Here's Dan's patent, in case you haven't seen it.
Laser centering jig - Gelbart, Daniel
If you google you'll find others that people have made, some with mixed results, some good. I think the shape has a bit to do with it, and am planning to copy Dan's design in the video kinda sorta...there have been a number of jigs that have a shank and fit into a collet, but the problem with that style is you need to retool to use the jig. If the jig fits over the tool, you can use the same tool without having to retool for each centering.
Comments?
Cheers,
Alan