laser dot to help with project setup?

Questions/answers/discussion about initial setup of your CNC Shark

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NL7U
Posts: 27
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2016 7:22 am

laser dot to help with project setup?

Post by NL7U »

I was told that, instead of using a router bit to set up the x and y axis's, a laser mounted on an appropriate sized shaft (1/4" in my case) would do the job without the danger of the bit accidentally hitting the project's surface and leaving a mark, or scar. The recommended item could be a laser bore sight for a gun. I cannot find anything even remotely comparable. Help?

Rando
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Location: Boise, ID
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Re: laser dot to help with project setup?

Post by Rando »

NL7U:

Just going on your question, it sounds like what we're talking about for-reals is something like this:

https://www.titantoolsupply.com/Centeri ... itan-Tools

That will definitely get the accuracy, but I suspect that costs more than our machines ;-).

Two FAR more-practical solutions come to mind:

There are "laser edge finders" that you can insert into the spindle, and use the dot to set your X0Y0.

For example, on amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywo ... dge+finder

It looks like some of those are available in either "dot" or "cross-hairs" configurations.

In some situations, it's also possible to rig one of those laser-crosshair attachments for a drill press to fit onto a spindle and maybe a router motor body.

Here's a link to a post showing how I did that: http://www.cncsharktalk.com/viewtopic.p ... lit=+laser

Hope that helps.

Regards,

Thom
=====================================================
ThomR.com Creative tools and photographic art
A proud member of the Pacific Northwest CNC Club (now on Facebook)

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