Aftermarket digital tachometer...anyone done it?

[Mike Cruz]

Well, now that I've got my "almost dream lathe", I'm thinking of all the things I can do to it to pimp it up to make it my dream lathe. I ordered a FVD phase converter for it. Also ordered a manual knob to control the speed. Someday, I would love to turn it into a PM 91 by putting a "lift kit" on it and give it a 16" swing over the bed.

But for now, I'm thinking Digital Tachometer. Has anyone put an aftermarket one on their's? Ok, yeah I'm sure SOMEONE has. As a matter of fact, I read on another forum (through a search) that some folks have done it, but I didn't get a very clear answer as to what they did, or where they got their tach from.

So, if you've done it, please, if you wouldn't mind, let me know what, where, how... all the details.

Thanks!

[Don Nicholas]

Mike,
Not sure if these would work for you or not, but Harbor Freight has 2 units as follows: Digital Photo Sensor Tachometer # 66632 $39.99
Digital Contact Tachometer #66400 $29.00
www.harborfreight.com (http://www.harborfreight.com)
just punch in the part numbers in the search window
Hope this helps.

[Mike Cruz]

Thanks, Don. While certainly easy on the budget, I am looking for somethign that would mount to my lathe, that would plug in to ac outlet, not batteries.

[Dan Hintz]

Which VFD did you get, Mike? That $150 one had a display on it...

[Mike Cruz]

Yeah, I got that $150 one. Yes, it has a display, but that display shows the hz output. So, my understanding is that it will show a percentage of 60, depending on how much I turn the knob. Does that make sense?

I considered an upgrade one, for $240 because it had a speed readout. But, upon further review, it shows the motor speed, not the spindle speed. So, I would still have to do calculations based on the motor speed/manual speed that the lathe was set to.

That's why I'm looking for something that I could mount to the lathe that would read the spindle speed. It doesn't have to be super accurate, just so that I don't have to do calculations each time I turn the knob.

[Dan Hintz]

Make a little conversion chart and tape it to the machine... eventually you won't even need it.

[Josh Bowman]

+1 on the HF tach. It works very well and is easy to use. Timed every thing in my shop, but my dog chasing his tail. But with the lathe, I have found I go by sound and of course the lathe starting to vibrate.:D

[Mike Cruz]

I found this: http://mkctools.com/tachoptions.htm

Looks like it would work. Thoughts?

[Dan Hintz]

Wow, that place is expensive, especially for through-hole style component design.

[Mike Cruz]

Yeah, but I would hope that the stuff is good...

I also just got off the phone with Grizzly. It seems that the spindle speed indicator on their $500 (G0462) lathe may work for me. It isn't the "best" out there, but at least it is made for lathes (or at least has been employed that way by a manufacturer...whatever that is worth). Seems as though I could get it for about $80. I think that might be my best bet.

Any Grizzly G0462 owners out there that care to share how they feel about the speed indicator on their lathes? If I don't get an answer to this questoin, I may have to create another thread...

[Mike Cruz]

Here is a pic of the Grizzly indicator:

[Tony De Masi]

Ok Mike, I'll jump in here. As you know my lathe does have the digital readout right? But to tell you the truth I don't use it except for when power sanding. In reality I turn at the fastest speed that the setup will allow for and still be safe. I never look to see what speed that actually is because it really doesn't matter to me. So, why the need for the tach? I know, I know. You just want to pimp it out some more.

[Mike Cruz]

I won't say no, no, no I really do need it, because you are right, I don't need it. It would just be handy to have. Of course, I could do without it for now and add it later, or do without it completely. I'm just a visual person that learns and understands with visual aids. Also, it is nice to know, when someone talks about slowing down your lathe to X rmp (or thereabouts), knowing that you did just that. Not just thinking you are at X rpm.

Bottom line, no I don't need it and I know that. I was just wondering who, if anyone here, has done it and wanted to know about their experience. And other than the use of a handheld device, it looks like a big....no.

Thanks for the input, though, everyone. It is appreciated.

[Dan Hintz]

It's great for us newbies... we don't have the experience ot know what the lathe sounds like at 'X' RPM...

[Stephen Cherry]

Here is a nice one from someplace else:

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/transformers-phase-converters-vfd/vfd-setup-remote-12-x-40-lathe-195492/

This seems like a very robust setup.

[David Warkentin]

I have the 0462 and the speedometer:Dworks great! Anything in particular you want to know about it? David

[Mike Cruz]

Well, I'm not sure if you've looked at the set up or not. If you have, what does it use to sense the rpm's? My understanding is that there are 4 wires that come out of the unit. Two are power to it, and two monitor the rpm's. Of the ones that go into the headstock, where do they attach? I think there is some sort of sensor that goes in there. Does it read off a bolt that is spinning on the shaft?

Thanks for replying. Glad to hear someone likes it. I've seen it in action and wasn't sure if the one I saw was just acting funny or if that is how they all are. The one I saw was on a returned lathe to Grizzly...don't know why it was returned...maybe the tach, maybe something else.

Anyway, anything you can tell me would be appreciated.

[Mike Cruz]

Stephen, a little robust, huh? Ya think! Wow, now THAT is a set up. I only have two issues with his tach setup. Okay, I have more than two, but two major ones: First, making the 60 tooth pickup; and second, I can't mount anything on the outside end of the headstock because it is threaded for use. Not to mention, I think his setup is out of budget...

Thanks for the link, though. It was very informative. Also, thanks a million with all the help you've been giving me with the VFD and stuff. You've been very kind.

[Nigel Tracy]

Not sure what VFD you got, but if it has a digital display, check the manual--you may be able to get it to show rpm on the display.

On my VFD, which was a cheapie btw, I just had to program in what the motor was rated for at what Hz, i.e. 1750rpm at 60Hz, and it does the math for me. Of course you have to take pulley sizes into consideration too. A little more math tho and you can have the correct rpm on the readout.

That is, if yours will do that.

And I know, it's not what you want to hear, but as others have said, I never look at the readout anymore anyways.

[Gordon Seto]

We are turning wood here. They don't have uniform density. Moisture distrubution would affect the balance of the blank. The best tachometer is your gut feeling. If the lathe shakes, or you feel that it is spinning too fast, dial it down. Start slow, increase speed till I think it is too fast, then back off a little. After the blank gets more balanced, I will try to gradually increase the speed. I think that is how I can maximize the benefit of the variable speed feature of the lathe. Only the confience can tell me when I can increase the speed, not the rpm read out.

[David E Keller]

Not sure about the lathe mod, but I don't find the speed indicator on my PM useful for most things. About the only time I use it is when hand chasing threads, and it's not essential there. I'd definitely recommend setting it up sans tachometer first... You may find another place to spend that money.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Ditto what Gordon and David said. I have a speed indicator and I don't think I have ever even looked at it. I know I don't use it for turning. I think turning by feel is a lot safer and I can spend money elsewhere.

[Mike Cruz]

Since none of you guys are using yours, maybe you could just detatch yours and send it to me! :D