Digital Tachometer on old lathe
- Thread starter caretakereg
- Start date
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Farmer Giles
The biggest tool in the box
Costs about 12 quid plus an enclosure and DC power supply, an old wall wart or laptop PSU will do.
It's a doddle to do, usually.
The only advantage is you can tell the speed of the spindle. Mainly used if you have VFD, not much use for fixed belt speed changes.
It's a doddle to do, usually.
The only advantage is you can tell the speed of the spindle. Mainly used if you have VFD, not much use for fixed belt speed changes.
I would say spend your money on a hand held tachometer about 10-15£ and use it to calibrate your lathe on various pulleys if its single speed or on the knob if its variable speed.
With wood turning theres no such thing as exact speeds just common sense not to spin large diameters too fast
Your hand held tool is very usefull for many other processes whereas the fitted tachometer you will use for 2 minutes then never again
Ian
With wood turning theres no such thing as exact speeds just common sense not to spin large diameters too fast
Your hand held tool is very usefull for many other processes whereas the fitted tachometer you will use for 2 minutes then never again
Ian
Lazurus
Established Member
Must say I have never had the need for one myself, I just dial up to the speed suitable for the job in hand, the actual rpm is irrelevant in my opinion as long as it is suitable and safe.
Farmer Giles
The biggest tool in the box
I would agree with that, definitely not essential, a nice to have at best.
For about 20 quid all in it doesn't cost much and I'm a bit of a geek so I did it. Here's the post explaining what I did in case do you fancy installing one. post1228741.html#p1228741
For about 20 quid all in it doesn't cost much and I'm a bit of a geek so I did it. Here's the post explaining what I did in case do you fancy installing one. post1228741.html#p1228741
CHJ
Established Member
Just print yourself some Strobing Discs and mount them on a bit of mdf and a bolt in the chuck to calibrate speed adjustment knob/lever etc.
Personally find a digital readout counter intuitive, I waste time trying to hit pre-conceived speed rather than just adjusting knob somewhere near by visual impression and noise and getting on with it.
Personally find a digital readout counter intuitive, I waste time trying to hit pre-conceived speed rather than just adjusting knob somewhere near by visual impression and noise and getting on with it.
