Finally got the bracket made to mount my laser center finder for my Super X3 CNC machine. It is a drill press laser kit from Woodcraft. Works really good. No matter how low or high you raise the spindle, the center mark is still properly in line. Also a picture of my control box I just finished wiring. Also added a touch plate to zero the Z axis, it is really great.
Dave

Brilliant! Just freaking brilliant.

I just ordered one. Thanks for the heads up.

Nice, Could you please elaborate a bit more on the touch plate?

Thanks.

Do you have a link for the laser? I was unable to find it. Thanks.

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=5475

$34.95 on sale

Bob

Excellent, I actually bought a laser with an "X" pattern but even at the best focusing length, the lines were too "thick" to be accurate/thin enough for me. Any chance you could measure the lines with a caliper for me? I'd like to see if this would be beneficial for my application.

Very nice controller as well!

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00921920000P

Thanks, Guys. Do you think these are fairly coolant safe. I run some Kool Mist, so it's not really that bad, but it does splatter pretty well under the head.

Do you think these are fairly coolant safe
I wouldnt expect that it would be. Since the battery door is located on the bottom and the switch is not water resistant. But hey I see a modification coming!!!!!

I just got a used Rong FU RF 30 to go with my Lathemaster mill and this little diddy might be just the ticket to help with the problem of raising and lowering the millhead to install the drill chuck or whatever. If there was a way to set it off the side of the centerpoint or maybe zero on a corner of the vise it might get you pretty close especially is you can go to just the edge of the beam for alignment. thanks for the tip!! Peace...

BTW, please elaborate on your touchpad as I think there are many here who would like to see it. Pics PLEASE!!!!!

I think the lines pivot so you can adjust the alignment to the center...kinda like tracklights. but I dont have one...so just guessing from the pics. also if it does there maybe a limitation as to offset before you loose the functionality.

I was just going to post a threat about a touch plate for an X3. I tried a touch plate on mine, but anytime voltage was applied, it shorted through the steepers causing erratic movements. A properly functioning touch plate would really help.

Thanks

Are you using mach3? if so check out earnie's mod blue screen...it seems to work fantastic. http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56079

Been gone all day, lo of repsonses to my post.

The laser line is around .025" thick.

You could offset the mount, say to point at the corner of your vise but it would be very difficult to properly align the lasers. If you notice in my picture there is a white rod in the chuck, this has a vertical line on it that is used for alignment.

Seems to be a lot of interest for a touch pad, so in the next couple of days I will write up a how to with screen shots.

Dave

Thanks for the info, Dave, much appreciated - :)

Do they have a mounting attachment for sharks?

Do they have a mounting attachment for sharks?

Usually a board....at least in the restaurants I have been to. lol

Interesting! Would help me putting my endmill right on a corner! Hmmm nice idea.



-Jason

Man can't I have friekin' sharks with friekin' lasers attatched to their friekin' heads. Dr. EVIL, Austin Powers EVEL nemesis.... peace all..

P.S. love that movie, Heather Graham = humannna humanna humanna...

Actually I have thought about putting a laser pointer on my shark guards for table saws.
Finding then small and cheap enough is really the only issue so far.

I went ahead and ordered one of these. It should work out perfect for the way I run my mill.
I can either seal it up or I can mount it to the top front of the X2 head. That would be out of the coolant there as long as it's not in the way.
Thanks for the links and the heads up.
:)

The laser came in today. I don't want to hijack your thread, but I thought it might be a good place to show mine. I had to modify it some to fit an X2 head. I want to thank you, Dave. This thing works great. After some fine tuning that is. I had my doubts that it would work on the front rather than the rear or column mounted, but after playing with it, it kept getting closer and closer and bingo. Perfect at all heights.
The little secondary paralleling lens were the key.

I mounted this in some existing holes on an X2 head. These holes were for the splash guard. Then a piece of aluminum angle. Drilled and tapped a few holes. I had to saw off the column mounting portion of the housing on the laser. I also had to shift the little circuit board inside to get enough wire to twist the left laser around backwards. The other had plenty. I also sealed the battery door. The top comes off with two cap screws to easily access the battery the way I mounted it.

It sure makes quick work of locating my plates and even the corner of something in my vice. This for me is a real time saver. No more need to lean into the enclosure to zero the Y. ;)

Beautiful job, lee, and thanks for sharing. :)

May I ask what kind of tolerances you're working in?

Thanks. The machine is capable of .001" repeatability. The jobs I cut on this mag chuck will soon be done with my plasma cutter, so plasma is close enough for these.
I make some brackets and clamp parts using steel and aluminum and it is good enough @ .005" tolerance. Actually for alignment on all of the parts, .01" is plenty close to center or edge or corner, depending on what part I am cutting. My blanks are generally a hair over sized anyway.
This little machine does way better than I expected or needed, but can't complain about accuracy when theres more of it than you need. ;)

Can't argue with that! :)