to wobble or not to wobble

[compfranon]

When I worked with CNC mills many many years ago, to set the datum on X and Y we used a wobbler, basically a 0.2 dia ball mounted tip that deflected when very close to datum edge.

What is used now to set the datum on X & Y axes.

[irving2008]

same thing - a wiggler or an edge finder, unless you have some clever laser-y video-y thing...

[compfranon]

same thing - a wiggler or an edge finder, unless you have some clever laser-y video-y thing...

Ah, the old school techniques, tested and proven.

Where might I source one of these wigglers or wobblers now.

[irving2008]

eBay... or Chronos have a good range here - I have the 4mm EFZ4 only £7.95 inc p&p

[compfranon]

eBay... or Chronos have a good range here - I have the 4mm EFZ4 only £7.95 inc p&p

£7.95 .... is that a typo perhaps, only prices I found were £79+

at those sort of prices I would be looking at modding a pocket laser.

Just looked at the edge finders you mention, would you mind explaining how they work.

[irving2008]

you put them in the spindle, set it spinning, then jog to the X-axis datum edge until the edge finder 'splits', raise the Z, jog in a further 2mm (for a 4mm one) and zero the DRO or set the axis zero as appropriate. then repeat for the Y-axis... see video

[compfranon]

Thanks Irving, they operate pretty much the same as the wobblers I remember. Might look out for the led version on fleabay, looks useful if datuming a rear edge.

[bogstandard]

Forget about the light up ones, they are just a gimmick, designed to attract moths that think they will do a better job. Just try using them on a non conductive material, you will soon realise why. I actually gave one away a couple of days ago. As useful as a bowler hat with sleeves.

The ones from Arc Euro do a great job.

http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalo...t/Edge-Finders

Bogs

[compfranon]

Forget about the light up ones, they are just a gimmick, designed to attract moths that think they will do a better job. Just try using them on a non conductive material, you will soon realise why. I actually gave one away a couple of days ago. As useful as a bowler hat with sleeves.

The ones from Arc Euro do a great job.

http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalo...t/Edge-Finders

Bogs

Yep, I was just trawling fleabay as I wondered how the led version worked, then I found it's only useful on conductive materials. Standard wobbler it will be then.

Must admit I thought the led was a good idea for an awkward datum position, flap flap.:whistling:

[John S]

I have tried everything over the years, wigglers LED's, lasers, playboy [ but we won't go there ] and I have always gone back to the wiggler / edgefinder.

I recently bought a pair of the ones Bogs linked to from ARC and these are my tool of choice only because I work in metric and my old bent up wiggler is still in imperial.

I bought one of the audible and light up ones, cost me about 50 quid so for that money it has to be the best thing since sliced bread ?
Nope, because of the brightly lit workshop and running machinery on the first edge I didn't see the light or hear the beep so that was 50 quid thrown into the bent bits scrap bin.

Oh well another flat battery in the car park of life.