Video Camera and Monitor for Hollowing

[Edward Weingarden]

Anyone set up their own system for video guided hollowing? What type of camera and monitor did you use? Thanks.

[Michael Schneider]

I have been gather equipment for that. Next year is my target to start.

I am looking a different approach. I am planning on using a microsoft XBOX kinect sensor.

Microsoft has a free API that will build a 3d model on the fly. That does the bulk of the heavy lifting.

This will plug into an old computer and use a computer monitor.

This will allow me to keep track of material removed from the model and you can see what has been removed on the monitor.

You can also work in a simple mode where you create a model of the stock and tool then track the tool in the stock (same way most systems work today).

Have fun,
Michael

[Harold Wright]

I bought a backup camera & monitor on EBay. Paid $66. I put it on a Jamieson system. Works good.

[Dwight Rutherford]

Here is what I bought on Amazon;
TFT color monitor. $20.00
Swann ADS-120 CCTV camera. $65.00

Works very well.
PM me for details if you wish

[Edward Weingarden]

Dwight:
PM sent

Ed

[Larry Matchett]

I used the swann camera and a color computer monitor. I had to buy an adapter to change from analog to digital since the at is what the monitor required. Works great. I mounted on a Monster system and also use it with my McNaughton. I did make a 1/2" square bar to use with it. Works great. If you do careful setup you can easily hollow to 1/8" or maybe a little less on very large hollow forms. My whole setup was less then $100. I got the monitor at a pawn shop. Some of my club members have gotten them free from computer repair guys. They are glad to get rid of them as they are hard to dispose of. I tried a backup camera but the image was a mirror image, hard to use.

[Glenn C Roberts]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pidLwThKHSw Describes the camera system. The guy is a genius.

[Brian Tymchak]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pidLwThKHSw Describes the camera system. The guy is a genius.

I really like this setup. Thanks for sharing the link!

[Josh Bowman]

I've built and sold a few and kept one for myself. I've bought a bunch of these camera's from ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Micro-Wired-Bullet-Camera-Mini-Security-Weatherproof-Video-CCTV-Color-Cam/172119676627?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%2 6asc%3D38530%26meid%3D05143cb260374abca749c1c6501e 4f7b%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D3906 94488900), these camera's have a fixed focus, but work well at about 12" from the work piece. The only real hard part is finding monitor with a video input. Sometimes it's hard to find one cheap. But last week I bought one of these from Ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/111777696703?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT). So if you have an old computer monitor you can use it with the adapter, it took some random button pushing to get it to work, but worked well. Previously I used a piece of Mylar over the screen to keep from marking on the TV screen, but at a meeting a member said he used Frisket (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027AEFBG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). So I bought some from Amazon and intend to try it. I've used my system a lot and really like it. Yes there is a little bit of set up, but no more than for a laser system.
BTW, I liked the video, it does a good job. I only trace the desired thickness, not the cutter, my monitor is bigger, but the magnetic mount on Alan's looks nice, I may try one of the 7" Tiff displays and see if the size works ok for me.

[Edward Weingarden]

Brian - thanks for the link. That's a very descriptive video, however, there's one part of it that confounds me. When you trace the outline of the bar and cutter on the screen overlay, it's in a fixed position on the screen. When the bar and cutter are moving inside the hollow form, the trace appears to move with it, even though I know it's fixed on the screen. There's obviously something I'm missing. Can you help clear that up for me.

Josh - thanks for the eBay/Amazon links.

Ed

[Josh Bowman]

Ed, concerning how you see things, remember the camera is looking at the cutter and moves with the cutter, so when you move the cutter it looks like the work piece is moving. We're use to seeing a fixed camera looking at the lathe and the cutter and can see their movements separately. That or it's magic. Either way it works.

[Edward Weingarden]

Got it. Thanks Josh

[Mike Nathal]

Here is another option. If you have an old laptop, (Mine is some 10 year-old antique running Windows Vista) you can use an "Endoscope". It has a USB plug and plugs right into the laptop. It comes with software and worked right out of the box. Also the camera is shaped like a laser and is easily fit into the same fixture I formerly used for my laser.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5M-4LED-Endoscope-Waterproof-Borescope-Snake-Inspection-Camera-USB-Video-Camera-/172318166104?hash=item281ef68c58:g:pt0AAOSwyLlXoYM Y

[Clint Bach]

I've been eyeballing my assortment of old cell phones. The cameras still work... Cell phone plus old lap top could be a no cost option.

clint

[Grant Wilkinson]

I started by trying an endoscope similar to the one that Mike mentioned, but the focal length of the one that I bought was only about 4", so I had to get the camera within that distance of the cutter. It didn't work out for me.

[John Sincerbeaux]

Another option is call Trent Bosch and order a Visualizer.
Best $600 hollowing tool I have purchased.

[Richard Dooling]

Hi John,

I have a couple of Trent's hollowers. I'm curious as to how the Visualizer over-arm bar attaches to the Stabilizer articulated arm mechanism. It's not very clear on his site although I can see the parts provided.

Looks like it attaches directly on top of the pivot mount for the hollowing tool but I can't see how. Do you feel it is a solid mount?

Thanks,
Richard

[John Sincerbeaux]

Hi John,

I have a couple of Trent's hollowers. I'm curious as to how the Visualizer over-arm bar attaches to the Stabilizer articulated arm mechanism. It's not very clear on his site although I can see the parts provided.

Looks like it attaches directly on top of the pivot mount for the hollowing tool but I can't see how. Do you feel it is a solid mount?

Thanks,
Richard


Richard,
you are correct. There is a coupler that screws into the pivot mount of the Stabililizer. The mast of the visualizer goes into the coupler and is held in place by a set screw. Very stable and solid. All the components of the Visualizer are bomb-proof.

Hope that helps.
I really like all of Trent's tools. Super heavy duty!

John

[Richard Dooling]

John,

I'm not surprised to read that you feel Trent's setup is solid. My experience with his tools has been very positive.

I appreciate the response,

Richard

[Nathan Craver]

This concept would be great for also having a fixed camera mounted above the lathe pointing down and you could print or draw profiles on a transparency and use it for duplicating or trying new pre-planned design ideas. Probably might not work so great for long pieces like table legs, but for pepper mills, bottle stoppers, etc, this might be perfect. I think I am going to find a camera and monitor ASAP!