tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post1519849141138774289..comments2024-03-28T08:06:43.198-04:00Comments on The Silicon Graybeard: Trama Lama Lama Ding Dong SiGraybeardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280583031339062059noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-85903155517485927852018-06-24T19:44:05.067-04:002018-06-24T19:44:05.067-04:00I bought a "Digital Protractor" to use t...I bought a "Digital Protractor" to use to zero my satellite antennas.<br /><br />Turns out it's an order of magnitude (or two!) "better" than I need. It's also a bit 'jumpy' when resting on an antenna boom. The $10 "angle finder" from Home Depot works just fine.<br /><br />We used one at Boeing to zero our telemetry antennas, but those mounts were so stiff that they didn't bounce around like my puny Ham Radio stuff!drjimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05647484115197408897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-65795051040039027582018-06-24T13:02:04.871-04:002018-06-24T13:02:04.871-04:00The angle gauge can be zeroed on any surface, and ...The angle gauge can be zeroed on any surface, and I zeroed it on the table to set a reference and measure the angle between them. <a href="http://igaging.com/page33.html" rel="nofollow">iGaging claims</a> accuracy to 0.2 degrees repeatable to 0.1 and displays to 0.05 degree resolution. We used to use things like this (only a little bigger) to zero the antennas on airborne weather radars. <br /><br />The laser center finder is a good idea. It would be useful for quickly verifying the setting hasn't been knocked off by vibration or other use. <br /><br />SiGraybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00280583031339062059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-81033829391778834592018-06-24T12:11:45.059-04:002018-06-24T12:11:45.059-04:00Good work! I would still be out in the shop looki...Good work! I would still be out in the shop looking for a non existent chip in the taper or something.... <br /><br /> Question- the angle gauge- that references to level or plumb? <br /><br /> So the table measured zero? (level)<br /> <br /> Or can it be pre-set to any surface as a zero reference, then used to determine angular difference?<br /><br /> This would be a useful application for a laser centerfinder- just run the table or head up and down and see if the location changes.<br /><br /> <br /> ravennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-80206712228955845462018-06-24T10:35:01.248-04:002018-06-24T10:35:01.248-04:00When the geometry was explained to me, it was easy...When the geometry was explained to me, it was easy to visualize in my head. Plus, it's especially easy to seize onto the concept of the Z-axis being off because it's something I did when I did the CNC conversion and had the column off. I'm sure it was good when it came from the factory. <br /> <br />SiGraybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00280583031339062059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-28611121383329252662018-06-24T00:07:15.518-04:002018-06-24T00:07:15.518-04:00I get such a kick out of watching you find these p...I get such a kick out of watching you find these problems, and then solve them, that it always brightens my day.<br /><br />Thanks, SiG!drjimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05647484115197408897noreply@blogger.com