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MachTach kit for my SB

PostPosted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 10:24 pm
by ScrapMetal
I am planning on attaching it to my SB 11" but it could just as easily work on a mill or drill press. I bought the complete kit for the half-size unit.
Here are the pics from the MachTach http://www.machtach.com/ web site:

Image Image

The kit is fairly well made and the components are good. It took a couple of weeks to get the kit after payment, and a follow-up e-mail but the owner of MachTach isn't trying to run it as a business, it's more of a hobby for him. Really not too bad considering what it takes to get quality circuit boards made and source the components. The build instructions for the kit are downloadable off of the MachTach yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MachTach/ if you are interested in what goes into the kit.

If you are handy with a soldering iron it shouldn't take more than a few hours to put one together.

I'll post some further pics and a mini-review once I get a chance to put it together (a little pressed for time at the moment as the wife just informed me that we are leaving on vacation in a couple of days :o - don't know how I lose track of that stuff).

-Ron

Re: MachTach kit for my SB

PostPosted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:46 am
by B34VD
That's a slick little set-up.

Re: MachTach kit for my SB

PostPosted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:49 am
by B34VD
See if I can upload a pic.

Re: MachTach kit for my SB

PostPosted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 4:06 am
by ScrapMetal
Works for me! ;) Looks like a very capable machine. I like it.

-Ron

Re: MachTach kit for my SB

PostPosted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 4:13 am
by ScrapMetal
B34VD wrote:That's a slick little set-up.


Yep, and mine is just about ready to fire up. I just need to solder the plug to the sensor and put in the jumpers between the two boards.

Reading through the documentation I did learn something else about it. It is capable of (sort of) giving a readout of the actual cutting speed. Unfortunately this would only be good for the start of a cut as you input the diameter of your cut and it bases the cutting speed on the diameter and rpm. That changes as we go in toward the center (or out for that matter). Not the greatest feature but it would still be useful under certain circumstances. I'll post a couple pics when it's complete.

-Ron

Re: MachTach kit for my SB

PostPosted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:20 pm
by B34VD
Keep us updated, I think I might want one of those. I'll let you flesh out all the problems. :mrgreen:

Re: MachTach kit for my SB

PostPosted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 4:07 pm
by ScrapMetal
B34VD wrote:Keep us updated, I think I might want one of those. I'll let you flesh out all the problems. :mrgreen:


That's me! The machinist equivalent of a crash-test dummy. :mrgreen:

Hope to finish it up tonight after the wife and kids are in bed.

-Ron

Re: MachTach kit for my SB

PostPosted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 12:30 am
by ScrapMetal
Here's my completed MachTach:

Image

I still need to attach a power supply to it and test it out. I have picked up a "projects" enclosure from the local Radio Shack, a little black plastic box that's about 3"x3"x5". It should be perfect for mounting the unit in.

More when I have more done. :mrgreen:

-Ron

Re: MachTach kit for my SB

PostPosted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 9:11 pm
by Hawkeye
I just got the MachTach installation finished on my Victoria mill. The Hall sensor can be moved to work with both the horizontal and vertical operations.

P8040595a.jpg


P8040596a.jpg

Re: MachTach kit for my SB

PostPosted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 2:55 pm
by ScrapMetal
Super looking install for the MachTach. Did you make that enclosure for it out of aluminum plate or something else?

The Victoria is looking sweet.

-Ron