If you're looking for a TI LaunchXL-F280049C board to build the ELS, both Mouser and Digi-Key are expecting a few hundred in July with more shipments later in the year. The chips on these boards are used in automotive applications, so the global semiconductor shortage has been really frustrating.

@lukeamato2348

2 жыл бұрын

Having worked in composites for quite along time just make sure the fiber orientation is balanced and alternating through the layers like your 0-90 degree layers and 45 degree ones to keep strength similar in all directions ...unless you want something to flex more in one direction than another

@routercnc9517

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you James. I’m keen to get started so I will keep an eye out for them.

@SRED

2 жыл бұрын

James, I have had the TI LaunchXL -F280049C on backorder with Digi-Key since January 2020. Periodically I search the web for them, and I was shocked last week when Texas instruments showed them IN STOCK! I quickly ordered the board and it shipped from Singapore within two days. To my shock it showed up Friday 5/13/22. So, if others are waiting on the board, they should check with Texas Instruments. I programed the board per your Part 10 video, and everything appears to work as I expected except my feed rates and threading, everything is way to fine. Maybe 3 times too fine. I'm sure my issue is a simple setting in the code. I had a few questions about my setup and was wondering if there is a communication channel you prefer to receive questions. I can't thank you enough for your videos on the G0602 VFD and ELO conversion. It makes my machine enjoyable and much easier to use. Your videos are the best I have seen on how to do projects. Thank you! Oh yea, I tucked my servo in the same place you did a few months back while waiting on the TI board. It's very clean setup now.

@awomandoesnothaveapenis

2 жыл бұрын

@@SRED Can confirm TI have stock, just ordered one on June 10th 2022, how long it takes to get Down Under who can tell

@kermitfrog1897

2 жыл бұрын

@@awomandoesnothaveapenis It appears that TI has three choices, but they all look the same. Which one is correct?

I appreciate the “does it really matter? Probably not. Are we gonna do it anyway? Yes we are.“ moment of honesty.

You have incredibly clever solutions to complicated problems, a wicked sense of humor, immense fabrication skills, and an attitude that we could all learn from. Bravo!

Three years? My god, the ELS was what brought me to your channel. I would've never guessed it's been 3 years since.

@tonyurquhart8278

2 жыл бұрын

I think I too came here to see the ELS videos as they were being posted. Wow, 3 years?

@boldford

2 жыл бұрын

@@tonyurquhart8278 And mine still is miles from being finished.

Can't thank you enough for the ELS project. Along with a VFD, definitely the single biggest improvement I've made to my lathe. As a hobbyist with no machining experience, it's really helped me learn how feed adjustments can help with chip control. And as an EE, I loved all the analysis that went into the MCU selection =)

Now when you said your project is finished, you can move into next phase. Few years ago I spotted your lead-screw and decided to build one. I ended up putting a control also to the cross-feed, since I was able to fit the motor into backside and maintain manual usability. Wheel turns easy enough when controller is in disabled state. Is My first intention was just make automatic cross-feed, but features have been piling up over time. Some features are really handy and I couldn't get back to fully manual lathe. My goal was to maintain manual working process but provide useful tool features to expand what can be done without drowning into swamp if g-code debugging and broken tools. I feel I have managed to do it, while I have scrapped several features like speech control, which I thought was good idea. It's not, because it's no reliable enough. WhatI have now is threading, chamfer, tapers, rounding and free formed smoothed shape. I have a graph, which show the current shape cut from the stock. It allows me to pick corners and go back on spots. I can also make a shape in program like blender and load it into my sw. I can cut it directly tracing contour or slice horizontally any portion of it to rough with different tools. In threading, I have conventional cutting with shaped tool, but also multipass cut which can form any thread shape using any tool shape. This is handy with large threads on tough materials which I don't have a tool or rigidity of my lathe is not enough for a good result. Now I can cut basically anything with 35 degree aluminum finishing insert and get practically a mirror finish on threads. I have basic functionality running on launchpad and more advanced features on laptop. I have pulse wheels and sw controls from gui and graph, but 95% of the time I use ps4 controller. Then my moves and cuts snap into target position and I can use buttons for finemovements. I have made multipoint compensation for errors, meaning I can make a cut, measure it from several spots and feed measured values into sw. Then at the next pass, it'll compensate the error. My lathe don't have straight rails, so there's lot to deal with. Currently I'm working to map all error sources and make automatic compensation, but that's pretty hard task.

Amazing project!!!!!! Great to watch it all the way through!!!!!

Very, very cool. I'm so glad I stumbled upon this channel.

Much better late than never. Awesome finishing touch to the entire project!

Yesss I am just getting back to this project after moving! Thanks again for the excellent content and instructions!! Your shop is also getting better and better, I love the lights in the back!

I would love to do an els someday. Thanks for the update and congrats on getting it all buttoned up.

Binge watching this series. Very impressive. Yeah…subbed.

Glad you got it done ... I had totally forgotten about this project... Thanks for sharing ... Stay safe and well ...

Congrats! What a clever idea to 3D print the stand-in for the pulley! I love clever! As always, great content.

Congratulations, James, this is a great victory. Great work!!!

As always awesome work. Thank for sharing.

That had to be so satisfying getting to close up that part of the lathe! Thanks again James!

The 3D printed solution to the motor mount problem was brilliant. Always enjoy your work and learn great new stuff, James, thank you!

That looks great. I have the same lathe. As well as the boards. I can't wait to start uncrating mine and installing my ELS. I already had the lathe before you ever started the ELS project. I can't believe I've had it in the crate that long. Thanks for developing this system.

Very nice and neat indeed. I love my ELS, GREAT addition to my old G4000

Enjoyed…slick 3d print setup for location….success, done!

Great job! Thanks for sharing.

Congrats! It doesn’t matter how many projects you start, what counts are those that you complete 😉.

Excellent video, was helping my grandson with his spelling and I came across the word " procrastinate " and sure enough there was your picture right below the word ! Don't feel bad my picture is below yours. Lol !

I really liked the dummy pulley for installation. Keep on keeping on.

Thanks for the great content, and I really enjoy the way you present your information, I just finish watching the playlist on the ELS which I also have plans to use on my Toolex CQ6230A lathe.

I'm totally impressed with the carbon fiber plate! I'm glad you created it.

Hi James, Job well done. Other than the control box for the ELS, it looks original. You and the family stay safe.

I have built many things over the years that I have never used and have many more projects pending that will never get done. I still come up with ideas for things that I want to do and have purchased supplies to do them even though I can no longer do much of anything.

@Clough42

2 жыл бұрын

I'm still capable, but my planning always gets ahead of my time availability.

@tiredoldmechanic1791

2 жыл бұрын

@@Clough42 That's what happened to me at the start but eventually time runs out.

Great job!

Very satisfying.

Thanks for sharing 👍

It's never done! On to the X axis now 😜 Thanks for this series, it's inspired me to build my own.

This episode is brought to you by frustration and OCD. Well done!!

Jumping into a stagnant project from many years ago? You are my kinda guy! Lets do this!

It's a relief to know that even perfectionists like you procrastinate! :)

@Clough42

2 жыл бұрын

It's my specialty.

Thanks to your last video, my new Qidi I-fast 3D printer is on it's way. I can hardly wait, I have tried printing with ABS a few time and each time, it ended in failure. Keep up the FANTANISTIC videos, A friend and I look forward to them each week. And always have to discuss the content afterwords.

Was thinking you may want more surface area on those washers on the nylon... James pull out larger washers! 🤣

Wooo. Party lighting in the intro. Crank up the disco, break out the ecstasy, and let’s get down with James.

@Clough42

2 жыл бұрын

There's a story behind that.

You mention wanting bigger washers under the screw that hold the bracket in - what about making a small steel plate with a matching hole pattern? One "big washer" to distribute the clamping force over a much bigger area of the printed part.

Thanks

James, you are super awesome! I remember the Part 1 of the Lead screw project! Hilarious !

Very tidy, I recently managed to finish upgrading my CNC, a long outstanding project is adding 3 phase close loop stepper to my laser, planning on adding reduction pulleys and redoing the rails so it’s a long overdue.

Before I finished watching the install I wrote, 3 years later - "The washers I had put onto my mount where a tad to small and managed to mess up my motor mount, So today we are gonna be replacing it!" I'm really glad you got the bigger ones LOL

I was half way writing "BIGGER WASHERS" when you corrected one common error usually made from people used to work with metals. Small washers that drown into plastic. Another useful thing is to make enough perimeters around holes and slots so the volume under bolt and washer is 100% filled. Good work as usual.

@ChazzC

2 жыл бұрын

I'm a fan of larger washers, both in OD and thickness, at times using metric washers for imperial hardware and vice-versa if necessary.

Just ordered your complete kit through eBay. Ordered the main board trough TI directly. Got the servo lined up :)

I first subscribed to your channel years ago when you showed off the ELS. I learned about ELS from your channel! Your content is really excellent but I felt you got distracted by numerous other projects. I eventually did my own ELS implementation based on a commercial product (rocketronics). I could not be happier as it automates both Z and X axes allowing me near complete automation of the lathe - not just thread cutting.

@Clough42

2 жыл бұрын

I accomplished my goals with the ELS. Lots of people really want a conversational CNC lathe.

Well, that seemed quick and easy! (heh, heh) Congrats, looks good. I'm one of the many happy C42 ELS users, btw, so thanks again for that.

I close on my first home in 2 weeks. I will finally have a garage big enough for a shop! Im so excited for all the projects! Less excited about all the money I'll have to spend.

7 years ago I built a prototype ergonomic gaming keyboard out of plywood, plastic, screws, chop sticks, kebab skewers and hot glue. The plan was to rebuild it using aluminum profiles and sheet metal, but I never did. It worked just fine in it's Macgyver ghetto style state, so why bother. Now that I've gotten myself an MSLA resin 3D printer, I've finally gotten around to start making a final version of the keyboard. I'm deep into the 3D CAD (Fusion 360) part of the project and have started doing test prints of some of the parts. Heh, turning the crank the wrong way ...yeah, I've got that t-shirt as well. x) I really enjoy your content! I've watched the whole ELS series plus many of your other videos (first time I've posted), and I don't even have a lathe of my own nor any other stationary machine tool. x) Also, I love that dry humor of yours! :D

Many years ago I had a dream of automating as much of my house as possible. Living in rented appartments and porting back old solutions quickly got old, so I bought a house. Now all my half-working projects got set back by months and years, since a newly built house is already full of 'projects'. One per day, at least the progress can be tracked.

@Clough42

2 жыл бұрын

Ha! I have half of my lights automated, and a case of switches sitting on the floor for two years, waiting to be installed.

Nice setup james I am speech less 😊

Nice work, James 😊. That little Y-axis hiccup gave me nightmares though, they're reoccurring 🤣. Given my work with cnc machines these days, your videos have been helpful with my hobby as well as my day job 😁. Our manual mill at work, which I believe actually has a servo motor on the spindle, has a momentary switch to reverse the spindle when tapping. It's super slick 😎. Seems like something you might be interested in. Cheers!

Machinists are odd creatures. Even though no-one would ever know about or see the purely cosmetic accidental notch in the mounting plate, *you would have known,* it would still bother you, and it needed to be fixed. I totally get you.

@debonh3828

2 жыл бұрын

the notched washers would bother me. I'd most likely make a small plate and drill four holes in it, instead of using washers.

My much needed project is the actual shop. I've been away from home, for work, for 4 years. I'm done here and headed home in a week

Damn, have I really been working on my els conversation on my atlas that long? Time flys when you’re having fun

About time slacko. Hoping to be able to close my cover one day too 😉. Loving my Clough42 ELS.

Finally Complete - for now :D Missed opportunities to Plasma cut an Aluminium mount and custom washers too. Nice thing about having so many Hammers as a solution.

Remove the cut washers, and create a thin square aluminum sandwich (top bun for the previously open-faced sandwich) plate with 4 holes in it to spread the clamping load. You probably still have the setup in the DRO. As a plus you will have more support for the Nylon bracket, and eliminate risk of pulling the fasteners through the relatively soft nylon ( which is why you wanted the washers ) Awesome video as always

The answer to BOTH of your questions is this: I'm probably 80% done with a hall effect sensor to stop the carriage for the ELS, but I just can't get through the last feature I want it to have (resync). I'm humbled by how difficult real time systems are to properly program and debug.

@Clough42

2 жыл бұрын

Nice! People tell me all the time how simple it would be, and I point out that it's open source and invite them to have at it. :)

@somebodyelse6673

2 жыл бұрын

@@Clough42 Heh, simple idea and simple implementation are so very not the same thing :)

Nicely done. I’ve got unfinished projects older than that!

@gangleweed

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah....try 40 years.....I bought a small jig borer with me when I emigrated to OZ from UK in 1980 and due to difficulties in getting it converted to a mill it laid in the corner of the garage covered over.........6 months ago I badly NEEDED the mill so with new thinking it got reworked quick time and is now running complete with 100mm column riser, VFD and a DRO.....wonders never cease but miracles take a bit longer.

Great series James. I've just watched the whole series over the past few days. This also has me thinking. I recently saw some information on polygonal turning on the lathe with a multi head cuting head running at various spindle ratios to cut squares, hexagons etc. These were mrchanical arrangements with drive belts or gears. Your ELS with (probably) a larger motor driving a cuting head perferctly synced the spindle and being able to dial in a speed ratio. Hmmm

The reason I build my first 3D printer was so I could print some mounts for some switches... That was back around 2010... Haven't printed those yet. And somehow I ended up with 4 printers....

For me the big projects that haven't got done in years are the shop lighting - been relying on a 'mobile' telescoping worklight stand I knocked together from scraps years ago that was meant for putting up in the garden for those jobs to big for the shop or when decorating etc (though that project should be done tomorrow!! It only took 8 years or so to get round to putting up lights that should be properly adequate and not occlude much of the natural light), the tool and material storage trays and shelves have been a WIP with no progress for most the time since it became my workshop, and I started work on a office computer/gaming sim chair frame I have no idea how many years ago now, and nothing managed to get done to that for many years now, but cursing when I stub my toe on the box section bits that are welded up and tucked under the workbench...

It was worth the wait…

Well, since you asked... I've been working on a sine plate for my Sherline mill for the past 10 years! Some day I'll get to use it! I'm close. Need to dial it in to see how accurate I can get it. May not be perfect since I don't have access to a surface grinder. But, it is for a Sherline after all. : ) Very satisfying to see this project wrapped up. Thanks for sharing!

@Clough42

2 жыл бұрын

I have projects that old, but they'll probably never get finished. I bought the parts to build a large camera gimbal, but much better commercial offerings are now available for a lot less than it would cost to finish it now.

@gangleweed

2 жыл бұрын

A sine plate?.....try using one of those digital inclinometers....they' re accurate to ..02 of a degree.....or so they say, and on testing one a strip of paper under the one end is enough to make it indicate the difference, more than accurate for most jobs.........I have a sine table and it shows a difference with the slip of paper.....who needs gauge blocks.

Good job James, I knew it would bother you enough eventually !

I was a little surprised that you did not make a backing plate with 4 holes rather than using washers.

Look good mate.. One thing I did notice is the long ramp down time of your spindle-VFD. If your VFD has the ability to take a braking resistor it can really speed up the ramp down time without having an over volt fault..

@Clough42

2 жыл бұрын

It doesn't, and this is as fast as I can ramp it down with my largest chuck. It's almost worth replacing the VFD.

"Nobody is going to see that..." Video has already got 11.5k views! Hahahaha! I love your optimism James. :)

James, seeing you make this progress with the ELS installation makes me want to get around to designing/building/programming/etc. a "CNC" control for my old 1911 South Bend ~10-inch lathe (originally a treadle lathe, but previous owners discarded the treadle) and get one of my PDP-8s working reliably enough to act as the controller for the lathe. So, a 1911 lathe and a ~1968-1972 computer + an ASR-33 Teletype connected together as a CNC lathe system. Magnetic tapes too (DECtapes)! ;)

@Shabbymannen

2 жыл бұрын

If you do get that setup running, it would be awesome if you documented it and made a video!

@Clough42

2 жыл бұрын

I would love to see a PDP-8-based CNC controller.

Very nice fox😆

I’d love to learn tips and tricks for power tapping. Not sure if you’ve posted a KZread “Short” before, but that could be a good format, plus it could be interesting just to try out that new medium. Less editing, maybe more content and engagement. Thanks! P.S. I’ve binged watched at least half of your videos in the last two months. Love your work!

@Clough42

2 жыл бұрын

That's not a bad idea.

We did see much, in installation process.

Great job refining this ELS James! How has the adoption of the ISV57T, with the built in controller, changed the ELS panel layout and wire routing? Now that your system is “finished“, a video overview of the installation would be enjoyable and useful as I’ve adopted the same servo.

@clough42 I just found your channel. I have a Grizzly G0752 and ordered your board. I am in awe of your talent and ability to transfer knowledge. Perhaps this has been asked before. I have not read all comments in the 27 part series. What about adding a limit switch that can be adjusted to touch the carriage at end of travel? Then just stop the servo when the end is reached. That would be handy for threading and working close to the chuck.

Might have a record for longest pending project...i inherited my dad's tenon saw maybe 30 or 35 years ago, and its one missing handle clamp screw annoyed me all that time. But i never was able to find them to buy a replacement. Well I have in recent years acquired a lathe and a mill..... so when it annoyed me again the other day i finally made six identical solid brass snake eye head corby nuts and with some s/s thread in the middle i now have an heirloom that looks like should always have looked. Better late than never.

@Clough42

2 жыл бұрын

That's awesome! I love projects like that.

James, have you heard of brass threaded inserts in 3D printed parts? I think you would really like them. Cheers!

Aren't you supposed to say "Taaappy tap tap..." when tapping in that plate? Thank you for all the work that you put into the ELS project. My build of your kit has been working great on my PM-1030 lathe for over a year now. Great project, super well documented and some key parts available from you. Thanks again!

Man, that drill chuck grabs the tap tight. Today I had problems with an M4 tap into brass, slipping in the chuck. I had to change to a Jacobs chuck (and tightened really hard with the key).

@Clough42

2 жыл бұрын

This one holds pretty well. It came with a hook spanner, but I just tightened it by hand. To be fair, I deadlift 450lbs without straps, so my grip strength is probably a little above average.

For longer than I'll admit to, I've been meaning to make some collet blocks for a load of surplus type N, carbide lined collets I bought for a price so low I shouldn't be able to sleep at night. Someday...

Congrats, James! BT Dubs, do you have a video on use of brass threaded inserts in 3D printed parts and your extreme appreciation for these parts? Please link. Otherwise, perhaps we can look forward to a Clough42 short about it?

A nut plate with 4 holes would negate the need to use altered washers. it would look better too. Nice job James.

@Clough42

2 жыл бұрын

And it would take longer.

@joemcgarry1106

2 жыл бұрын

@@Clough42 Longer than your trip to the hardware store? I was a little surprised at you clipping the washers as you are such a craftsman.

@Clough42

2 жыл бұрын

@@joemcgarry1106 Yup. Had dinner right next door.

Excellent, any chance there will be a kit with the encoder and servo mounts and setup pully?

Hi James, thanks again for taking the time to produce great content that is worth waiting for and to watch. Quick question, I am sure it will be straight forward to implement but because I don't have any experience with the TI boards, I would rather gather some info first. Will it be possible to use your code for the ELS to sync a second spindle on my lathe as with large sub spindle cnc machines. I would like to ad a small sub spindle to my machine to finish up the machining on the rear of plastic components I machine. Sure we can do it by hand but doing thousands by hand is not the answer. Regards

Bought the kit from you on release day… still have it… still haven’t installed it… still mean to… someday

@larrycollar1322

2 жыл бұрын

I also purchased the kit and still have all the stuff sitting in a box somewhere. One of these days I will need to cut a metric thread and will be kicking myself for losing momentum on this project.

Dragged-out projects? Post grinder, 400lb deadlift. Oh, but you got those, I think.

Glad to see you are human and make mistakes occasionally, just like us mere mortals 😁

Hey, I'm wondering if there's a place for folks to post their "completion photos" and any pertinent build information? This past weekend, I got my ELS install almost completed (just awaiting 10T-to-60T reduction pulleys and belt from China, which should arrive end of week) on an MX-210V mini-lathe. It was tricky to find a place for the encoder in such a small machine, but I'm quite happy with my solution -- using four 3D printed parts and a bit of sheet metal work. Thank you James for this truly excellent series/playlist. I learned a great deal from you ... and it's knowledge that I can hopefully use in building more stuff to come.

One thing many people don't think of trying when 3d printing is the fact that you can interrupt the G-code mid print to allow you to add captive parts - In cases like this where you mention the rigidity of the part you could design the part to have some small hollow cylinders inside to add 1/8th steel rod, then finish the print making it permanently captive You can also do similar for the threaded inserts by leaving a hex chamber and simply pushing a normal nut in place then finishing the print

@Clough42

2 жыл бұрын

I've heard of this working, and heard of other attempts that were spectacular failures.

@bengrogan9710

2 жыл бұрын

@@Clough42 from my past experience the failures come from allowing too much space for the inserted part in designs and allowing them to be too thin walled around the inserts (usually top and bottom rathe than side wall)

I put the servo on the right side of the lathe and I'm using linuxcnc with it ... very comfortable.

that idler on the g4000 has a small clutch , which is a nuisance over time.. Not sure if the larger models have it also? bypassing it is nice

Just a suggestion, if possible, it's always a good habit to keep the quill as short as possible, especially when milling. It makes the quill more rigid and you get better finish. It also minimizes stress on your machine.

@Clough42

2 жыл бұрын

Of course. I kept it a little longer for this quick project to make it easier to put in the drill chuck without cranking the knee and changing the camera setup.

Nice, consider making a chamfer on a hole before threadding tho.

I think we share the same level of OCD. The washer thing was very relatable.

@zyeborm

2 жыл бұрын

I'm the other way, I couldn't handle the missing screws, would rather have the 4 screws than the bigger washers.

@CL-gq3no

2 жыл бұрын

@@zyeborm, he ended up with 4 screws and the bigger washers though.

I haven’t really seen much of the cnc mill since you did the spindle upgrade. An update would be nice.

@Clough42

2 жыл бұрын

I've used it in a few projects. That spindle is now over on the Avid router at the moment

Also, I just got the same printer you got based on your recommendations, thank you very much. I'm also getting a role of Essentium HTN CF-25 . Carbon fiber nylon to try in the printer. I think with the extra carbon fiber you wouldn't need to anneal the part. It is a pricey product but for those specific things that require that kind of stiffness I'm wondering if that might work.

@Clough42

2 жыл бұрын

Interesting. You're right; that is pretty expensive.

@tgirard123

2 жыл бұрын

@@Clough42 yeah I have a specific use for it. I also have the same lathe as you only the factory VFD model. That's how I found you, I was looking at the electronic lead screw which I also got from you. Truth be told, You have been kind of a mentor for me (You and Blondie hacks actually) and everything you've recommended has just worked great in my world as well. I know, a little mushy but it's true. Anyways thanks for everything and I look forward to everything else you do.

Hey! Let's see it cutting some weird-pitch thread with everything in place!

@Clough42

2 жыл бұрын

What constitutes weird?

@ke9tv

2 жыл бұрын

@@Clough42 take your pick. Dog knows there have been all sorts of oddball screw sizes and pitches! Just wanted to see the new installation cut some chips before you tear it apart again.

And now the lathe is too small! Time to upgrade :)

ELS was one of those upgrades that had surprising benefits, My main purpose for it was eliminating gear changes (Yea! and Yea! again for that) but being able to change feed rates on the fly is an everyday (don't want to live without it again) benefit that just keeps on giving Thanks again for all your hard work on that, Also glad to see you went with Centroid Acorn on your Avid build, I have been using the All-in-One-DC on my Bridgeport Boss for years now, and chose the Acorn for my 4 x 4 wood router build and could not be happier Great work James