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Jon, you're such a Ballbreaker

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why wouldn't you use a stepper  motor for the telescope instead of an AC or DC one?

Here is what I used Mike.

mike_mccue


Thanks Spacey.

I had reviewed your photos but I never knew exactly where you got the motor. I figured you found a scrap one.

That seems simple.


I thought I recalled that you wanted to increase your rpm at the actual coil? Did you get to where you want to be?


Do you find that the AC foot controller provides smooth operation?

Do you find that you use the speed control very much? Is it mianly for getting started and stopping?

Do you have an opinon about the tension? Does the motor need to be very powerful?



Thanks.


best regards,
mike

All good questions.
My answers are what they are because that's what I wanted. Many other designs would
sure do it and some even better, maybe.
 
Something to consider is a lathe. One with speed control can be had for @$150.00. The plus
is the ability to center a bobbin much better.
 
No matter what method to spin there is the counting issue. It is something one figures out how
to do with their machine just as they chose how to spin.
 
The only issues I had with mine were getting an accurate count with my preferred speed range.
0-@2,800 rpms. Which I did.
 
I did not want a foot speed controller. I went with a dial w/ switch on/off or switch on with variable speed for hand control.
I designed it to be compact. Easy and fast to set-up and put away.
 
Tension in hand winding is key...along with count. Consistancy + accuracy and one can replicate and
fine tune.
I wouldn't want anything less of the motor I'm using.
Speed and the adjustment of is part of ones technique I imagine. I can only say I use the speed
controller and don't think I'd like going from stop to start.
 
There are not many consumer type winders offered for those just wanting to give it a shot. Most
options are expensive.
Most are faced with having to build one at their own risk.
Having done that, it is not something that I would recommend to somebody...it would be like- I did
it this way, you do it this way too.
I say dive in and hope you can swim, good luck. 
I know you're gathering info....I recoommend consideration of a few main issues;
 
Cost- do you mind if you piss off @4-500 dollars if it doesn't pan out? (that is a conservative cost estimate)
Gather all the info....tricky part- you gonna listen to one person? If yes....not a good idea.
Do you know how to mount the bobbins so they'll spin true?
Do you know how to build bobbins? Where to get parts/magnets and the cost?
Do you know what kind of wires and the cost?
Do you know how you will charge magnets and costs?
Do you know all the materials it takes to build pickups, where to get them and the costs?
Do you have everything in place for potting?
These are just a few questions...I believe you get my point.
 
To spin a bobbin at variable speeds......well that is the easy part.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Here's the controller I went with. One could probably do the same with a light dimmer.

Mike there are many folks out there showing all kinds of ways to build pups.
I don't care to evaluate them or critique them. Like I think a reed switch and calculator is
a losing bet....but I don't care to debate that.

I'm really hesitant to say much because I really believe that every part of building
the equipment and the pickups should be designed by the builder based on their own ideas.

The real problem is that if one doesn't have thousands of dollars to roll the dice they are left with
only a few cheaper choices that most aren't happy with from what I gathered....that's why I built
what would work for me.
What's kind of funny is that I could build winders and sell the hell out of them! The reason I don't
is because I know how people are....and that's exactly why you should ignore what people are doing
and build the winder as you believe it should work.

If you do your homework you'll know why I chose an AC motor with power....for instance.
If you know about the issues of winding you'll know how to design the way to mount bobbins. How to keep from
warping them and the other issues.

The design should be a result of how you understand the process. That is the best advice I can give you.
Buying the parts that somebody else went with....I just don't see it getting you to the finish line.
It you don't agree.....I'll answer all your questions and give you a parts list but remember...I can't see that getting you
where you want to be.

The real trick is to design it as you want to work. Just one more example of why....pickups are wound clockwise and counter-clockwise...
Should yours be a single mount or dual? A single that can reverse? And that's just one little question. You want to hassle with two
bobbin mounts or one?  The answer changes everything and there are lots of questions.

craigb


Maybe it's an AC/DC Motorhead?

Metaled!!!

I'm confused.  Are you trying to motorise your telescope or build a pickup winder?

mike_mccue


Thanks for the link to the controller Spacey,

It's funny... when I was younger I was very much in to customizing stuff. Now a days, I like good stuff but I am very much tolerant of "stock" or normal... as long as it's normal good stuff.

I think I could easily be happy with a pre made unit... but of course that statement is made in ignorance of knowing what they do not do well.

I think the hardest part about learning stuff is that so much stuff is spoken of casually without regard to the pertinent details. It seems like once details are provided that stuff gets easier to figure out.


all the best,
mike

A few problems I found;
The one unit, that I believe is overpriced, has bad reviews- the one Stu offers. So what other
unit is offered?  Well now, that's the problem isn't it? Ones interested enough know what I'm talking
about.
 
There was one that use to be offered that people really liked that one may find on Ebay called
"The Sidewinder". Which for all I know is much like what I built.
 
"Pertinent details"....I agree. Most that have built a unit seem to keep the details to themself.
I don't know why nor care as I was going to do what I wanted anyway.
 
Mike I remember telling somebody, "I sure wouldn't have done that"...and they said, "you don't
know what you would have done in that situation"......I replied, " you're right, but I do know what
I would not have done".
 

 

Yeah..the ones I've seen are DC. I've read others
talking about torque/or lack of.

Price and what ya get?...each has to decide that.
I wasn't going to pay them to do what I decided I could do better and for less.

Fortunately we're not talking rocket science here LOL.

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This is not fair..  You're making me think about all the problems and think of solutions and my own design for a winder..


... and I don't even want one...   but I see I'm going to end up making one just because I've got all these ideas..!! 

Counters is easy 

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