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Laser for Jamieson Hollowing System

R

Roger Domina

Joined
Apr 12, 2018
Messages
46
Likes
43
Location
Newburgh, IN
The laser with my Jamieson Hollowing System went bad. Before I order a new one from Lyle (who has been very good to work with), was wondering if anyone else has found a replacement laser that you would recommend over the one from Lyle?

Thanks
 
This may be a good time to change to a CCTV camera system. I used Lyles laser system for 6 years, changed to camera 4 years ago. I find it to be superior. Can do the camera for about $50.00 - $70.00.
 
Check your Staples or other office supplies store. They may have one that will fit either directly or with a bit of tinkering.
 
Depends on how old it is. I tried to order one not long after I bought the whole rig because the switch was acting up, and Lyle sent me a free one. Maybe I was just lucky.
 
Dwight R Rutherford said:
This may be a good time to change to a CCTV camera system. I used Lyles laser system for 6 years, changed to camera 4 years ago. I find it to be superior. Can do the camera for about $50.00 - $70.00.
Click to expand...
Well...I wish that it did but that was just not the case in my experience. I bought a camera system and had a fun time tinkering with it. However, I did not find that it provided any improvement (both in terms of time and accuracy) to Lyle's laser system for the hollowing process.
 
Thanks for the input guys. I'll give some thought to a camera, however it does appear I may be able to get another laser pen locally. As I've had the system 10 plus years, would not feel right about asking Lyle to replace it at no charge. Appreciate the feedback.
 
Donovan Bailey said:
Well...I wish that it did but that was just not the case in my experience. I bought a camera system and had a fun time tinkering with it. However, I did not find that it provided any improvement (both in terms of time and accuracy) to Lyle's laser system for the hollowing process.
Click to expand...

I have read where several folks have tried cameras and returned to lasers. For myself I find the camera less finicky, faster, and more accurate. I recently did a small piece using a laser , which reinforced my preference of a camera. It just shows how people can have different preferences for a variety of reasons. Its one of the challenges of learning turning - many ways to achieve the same end.
 
I have a shop made system that can operate in either a laser mode or a camera mode. I often use the laser mode if I don't require very thin or accurate wall thickness, primarily because the initial setup is much faster. Otherwise, I usually use the camera mode. After initial setup, I can switch between modes and re-calibrate in about a minute or less.

In my opinion, the main advantage of the camera system is that if it is set up right, you do not have to account for cutting tool size and shape and its orientation to the surface of the wood being cut. All you need is an accurate stick-on or drawn-on outline of the cutter on the monitor screen. With the laser system, any change in the orientation of the cutter from that assumed during calibration will result in some error in wall thickness. For example, suppose that the boring bar is oriented so that the cutter is pointing directly at the surface of the turning and at near center height. Further assume that the laser is positioned so that the laser beam falls off of the outside edge of the turning when the wall thickness is 0.25 inches. Now suppose that the boring bar is re-oriented so that the cutter is at a 45 degree angle to the surface at that same point. In this case, the laser beam will fall off the edge when the wall thickness is about 0.18 inches.
 
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The laser on my Jamieson system went bad too. Fortunately we had a laser cat toy -- the kind that a cat chases the red dot all over the room. The laser cat toy (for just a few dollars) fit in the bracket just fine and works like the original.
 
William J Smith said:
The laser on my Jamieson system went bad too. Fortunately we had a laser cat toy -- the kind that a cat chases the red dot all over the room. The laser cat toy (for just a few dollars) fit in the bracket just fine and works like the original.
Click to expand...
Would be good if you could train the cat to meow loudly when the dot is getting close to the edge!:cool:
 
Unfortunately, the cat is like my wife. Both of them refuse to be in the workshop when I'm turning!
 
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