What kind of hand controller for a router?

[Azalin]

There are many types of hand controllers. Wired or wireless, pulse generators or button type, mach3 controller or direct control card connected. Which one do you prefer and suggest? I like the wired hand wheel pulse generators but want to ask for your opinions before I get one.

Thanks,
Suat

[MikeSherman]

I don't currently have a pendant controller, but have heard good things about this one:

http://www.vistacnc.com/b07_pendant_...dant_p1A-S.htm

Website has a few to choose from based on your budget and necessary features.

-Mike

[Azalin]

Originally Posted by MikeSherman

I don't currently have a pendant controller, but have heard good things about this one:

http://www.vistacnc.com/b07_pendant_...dant_p1A-S.htm

Website has a few to choose from based on your budget and necessary features.

-Mike

Looks like a nice controller. Thanks.

[Azalin]

My main concern is the connection type. The one you posted is connected to the computer. On the other hand there are controllers which you can connect to the control box.

My concern with the mach 3 type controllers is that the windows can crash, or mach 3 itself can crash. Then the hand controller will become non functional and this may cause a damage to the machine. I'm building my first machine right now so I'm just thinking. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[MikeSherman]

I'm still finalizing the CNC conversion to my benchtop G0704 mill. I have all the electronics complete and tested. I just have the last bits of the mechanical updates to wrap up. I've added rolled ball screws to replace the acme threaded rod so I've spent a lot of time doing the lathe work to turn down the ends for my bearing blocks. I can use a manual Bridgeport at work and a benchtop lathe at my buddies house to make parts.

It's been a lot of work, but I've learned a bunch along the way. When I started my conversion, there weren't any bolt-on kits available yet. I now see there are a couple that are priced quite nicely - but hey, the point was to design and build my own conversion....so I did.

Now to your question - I don't have an answer for you. My setup has an eStop within reach of standing next to the mill....so IF something went wrong I could either use the hard mounted eStop or the pendant eStop if I had one. Limit switches should also kick in if the machine gets that far.

Mach should be able to handle a crash - what it does with the pendant control I'm unsure of. Perhaps search the Mach3 forums for some clues. Mach has been around a while and used on many DIY and production machine tools so I'm confident that it would work as you intend it or it wouldn't be as popular as it is today.

Regards,

Mike

[stmpngrnd]

I have the vista MI and it is great! I was a little short on $$$ and hesitant to go for one of the more feature filled Vista pendants. If I had to do it over again would not hesitate to go for any of the P2-P5 models based on the success I've had with the MI.