[MichaelHenry]

Centering the probe involves using on indicator and slowly turning the spindle by hand. You have three adjustment screws to get it as close as possible to zero. If it is off of center your location will not be where you think it is.

Once it is centered, I don't think you would have to recenter it very often unless you crash it like(nuts) I did.(nuts)

I was able to do a probing routine using the digitize wizard included in Mach3.
It worked flawlessly. Arnie's probe is also tough. I was testing a specialized function and drove the probe into my vise at 30 ipm. Good thing my hand was on the e-stop. I bent the end of the probe but nothing broke. I will have to whip up a spare tip or 2. So far so good on Arnie's probe.

As far as accuracy, a quick and dirty test using the DRO on Mach3 and approaching the vise from the same direction to take backlash out of the equation, it repeats to within a few tenths IIRC, definitely well under a thou.

Mike

Thanks for the user report. I have an early version of Arnie's probes and am not sure if he changed the design or manufacturing or not, though it sounds identical. I was having trouble wiring mine and damaged the internals while "dissecting" it. It seems to be working pretty well now but I've yet to verify calibration or accuracy. A few tenths or even a thou would be great.

BTW, I replaced the three cup set screws on mine with self-locking flat nose set screws like these:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#94495a210/=525vfc

I figured the flat nose may minimize gouging and the self-lock feature should help keep the screws from backing out and make it easier to feel how much you are turning the screws in or out. I also use a small Chapman socket wrench with Allen wrench attachment. The wrench has 20 "clicks" so it is fairly easy to adjust in 18° increments.

Mike

[turmite]

Thanks for the user report. I have an early version of Arnie's probes and am not sure if he changed the design or manufacturing or not, though it sounds identical. I was having trouble wiring mine and damaged the internals while "dissecting" it. It seems to be working pretty well now but I've yet to verify calibration or accuracy. A few tenths or even a thou would be great.

BTW, I replaced the three cup set screws on mine with self-locking flat nose set screws like these:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#94495a210/=525vfc

I figured the flat nose may minimize gouging and the self-lock feature should help keep the screws from backing out and make it easier to feel how much you are turning the screws in or out. I also use a small Chapman socket wrench with Allen wrench attachment. The wrench has 20 "clicks" so it is fairly easy to adjust in 18° increments.

Mike

Guys, I think you are talking about two different probes. Arie and Arnie are real close and the $100 probe I am 99.9% sure is by Arnie from up in Montana or Wyoming, or Idaho, or.....well you get the idea!

Mike

[TOTALLYRC]

Here is where I made contact to buy mine.

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/ind...ic,5004.0.html

And since Michael Henry has also posted in the same place recently I will assume we have the same probe.

Merry Christmas

Mike

[turmite]

zarzul on the Mach forum is Arnie Minear from Wyoming. I thought it was but wasn't sure.

He is a super nice person both to email with and talk with.

Mike

[arie kabaalstra]

zarzul on the Mach forum is Arnie Minear from Wyoming. I thought it was but wasn't sure.

He is a super nice person both to email with and talk with.

Mike

hey!.. i'm nice too, but i'm not from anywhere near Wyoming..

My probe design is way smaller, and the adjustscrews don't tilt the PCB inside, but the entire probe-body, which pivots on a ball-bearing.
furthermore, instead of steel ballbearings, i use gold-plated contacts.
instead of a steel stylus, my probe comes with a ruby-tipped stylus as standard

[turmite]

hey!.. i'm nice too, but i'm not from anywhere near Wyoming..

My probe design is way smaller, and the adjustscrews don't tilt the PCB inside, but the entire probe-body, which pivots on a ball-bearing.
furthermore, instead of steel ballbearings, i use gold-plated contacts.
instead of a steel stylus, my probe comes with a ruby-tipped stylus as standard

arie....my most humble apologies! No wait, the little green face did not look humble.....sorry about that! I also apologize for what appears to be an endorsement of one probe over another. That was not the case. It is that Wyoming is a lot closer to me than the Netherlands, and I had the chance to call him. If you have skype, I will be glad to call you and then report back as to how nice you are!

I would love to have one of your probes, but I already have one from IM something or other along with the controller board for encoder feedback that is supposed to make this thing probe at something like 50,000 points per hr.

I am thinking of selling the whole package and getting someting less $$.

Mike