Cutting digital readout scales

This topic has 10 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 23 November 2012 at 16:56 by Sub Mandrel.

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21 November 2012 at 21:14 #104323
Terryd
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@terryd72465
H Folks,

I need to shorten a vertical digital scale – i.e. digital readout bar, Can anyone suggest the best way of cutting it and what must I avoid doing to prevent damage.

Thanks in advance

Terry
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21 November 2012 at 21:14 #22336
Terryd
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@terryd72465
21 November 2012 at 21:51 #104326
John Stevenson 1
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@johnstevenson1
Wrap it with masking tape and slice it with a slitting wheel on the dremel or one of those thin 1mm cutting wheels.
21 November 2012 at 22:59 #104329
Les Jones 1
Participant
@lesjones1
Hi Terry,
Have a look at the thread "Digital Read Out" Do not allow the bar to get too hot as it will damage the printed circuit which is fixed to the bar. I have not seen the 1 mm thick disks that John suggests but this is a source of some quite thin ones if you have a way to mount them. (They are designed to fit an air powered cut off tool.)

Les.
21 November 2012 at 23:48 #104332
I.M. OUTAHERE
Participant
@i-m-outahere
I cut two of mine with a hacksaw and had 0 problems .

I would probably be worried about static build up using a grinder .

Ian

Edited By SLOTDRILLER on 21/11/2012 23:52:10
21 November 2012 at 23:59 #104333
_Paul_
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@_paul_
Posted by John Stevenson on 21/11/2012 21:51:33:

Wrap it with masking tape and slice it with a slitting wheel on the dremel or one of those thin 1mm cutting wheels.

+1

These things are rather hard IMHO the Dremel makes a clean job of it.
22 November 2012 at 07:47 #104340
mark mc
Participant
@markmc72333
When i had them i cut mine with a 6x4bandsaw, did a fine job. Not sure about the dremel tho, those disks can build up a far bit of heat the speeds they run at.
22 November 2012 at 08:56 #104344
Les Jones 1
Participant
@lesjones1
Static would not be a problem as there are no electronic components on the PCB attached to the bar. Heat would be less of a problem using a Dremel than an angle grinder but care would still be required. I think the Dremel would give the cleanest cut. Using a saw could possibly tear the tracks on the end of the PCB causing them to short but this could easily be fixed with a sharp knife.

Les.
22 November 2012 at 21:31 #104393
Sub Mandrel
Participant
@submandrel
I feel embarrased to admit I cut mine with a hacksaw.

Neil
23 November 2012 at 01:56 #104403
I.M. OUTAHERE
Participant
@i-m-outahere
Why Neil ?

Isn't that what Hacksaws are for ?

Never been one for re – inventing the wheel as those i have seen always seem round enough for me !

Hacksaw did the job and the reader head is no where near the cut anyhow .

Give it a clean up with a fine file and fit it .

The static build up will not hurt the bar as stated there is no electronic components on it but could it jump to the reader head which has CMOS components ?

Probably a long shot but if you have luck like mine it will happen sooner or later !

More important than cutting is getting the mounting set up right and you will find the pressed metal brackets supplied to be lacking .

Make some from square alluminium bar stock on the mill and it will help .

Once you have Digitized you will never go back !

Ian .
23 November 2012 at 16:56 #104435
Sub Mandrel
Participant
@submandrel
Not mentioned so far are drive brackets for the head! I used 20 gauge brass, flexible enough to take minor misalignment but the plate shape stops any twist that could give a false reading.

Neil
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