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26th Nov 2022, 08:59 PM #1
Cheap tachometer for Sieg mini mill and lathe
Most mini mills and lathes do not come with any built in tachometer and the variable speed dial has an indication from 0 to 2000 rpm without any intermediate graduations and so running the cutters is just guess work.
Several versions of tachometers have been developed by the user community that involve simple to complicated methods using magnetic or optical sensors that require some modification and additional power sources. A hand held tachometer is another cheap alternative (I have one of those and they get the job done).
Sieg does sell an external tachometer that cost over $150 that plugs into a 7 pin din port on the back of the variable speed control box . Frankly this is a lot of money for something so simple.
I made an Arduino based tachometer about 5 years ago that I shared with my SX2P mill and my SC2 lathe which I gave away to the new owner of the SC2 lathe (let us just say he asked nicely). Anyways, I needed to make another one and although prices of components are double of what they were 5 years ago the cost was still under $20 for the components. All we need is an Arduino Nano, a display with a TM1637 interface and a 7 pin din connector (aka aircraft style connector). Another plus point is that it does not require an external power source and gets powered directly from the 7 pin DIN port.
Now this is not my idea and all the files and details can be found for this project here: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?eve...&v=OngH7MblQL4
The wiring diagram is fairly easy to follow:
SiegTachoWiring.png
There is also a nice video describing the process here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OngH7MblQL4
There are a few versions of the Arduino sketch since Sieg apparently altered the protocol slightly. You may need to test one of the last couple of versions to see which one works for your machine.
I simply designed my own 3d printed case, soldered up the connections, glued in some magnets, sticky taped the boards and flashed the Arduino sketch:
IMG_6208.jpg
IMG_6209.jpg
Works like a charm.
IMG_6211.jpg
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I never figured out how to rotate photos on this forum
Not much of a metal working project but a fun project combining various skills to make something for the Sieg mill.
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28th Nov 2022, 05:52 PM #2Senior Member
- Join Date
- Feb 2012
- Location
- Tamworth, NSW
- Posts
- 202
Great little project, thanks for posting.
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