Simplifying my hollowing rig

[Lou Jacobs]

Up to now I’ve been using my Trent Bosch stabilizer with an old webcam adapted for the overhead arm (where the laser pointer or Visualizer camera attaches), connected to an old laptop in a homemade holder on a tripod. I’ve been considering simplifying the setup to use an old iPad and a boroscope, and finally pulled the trigger last weekend. The boroscope arrived yesterday, and worked as hoped when connected to a no-longer-used iPad Mini.
Here’s the $19 camera I bought: JSE Endoscope Camera with Light,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFQG5YLX?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
And a couple of shots of my setup. I made a 3/4” insert for the arm to hold the 8 mm camera, and a holder for the iPad that is easily hung over the end of the lathe. Cheap and effective!

 

[bob elliott]

Looks like a nice set up. Report back after a bit because there are those who feel these cameras are NOT very durable.

 

[Lou Jacobs]

Will do Bob.

 

[john lucas]

I boughtvan endoscopy. The focal length was too short. I had to have the camera so close I couldn't use it with my steady rest in place. It looks like yours might have a longer focal length. I found a camera that works but I have not been able to find a small monitor to work with it.
The new rig by woodturnerswonders is excellent. The whole system including monitor , camera, articulating arm and another fully adjustable arm fir the monitor. $600 for all of it.

 

[Ric Taylor]

I'm using my mother's old Windows Vista laptop that sits on top of the headstock on my Powermatic. It works great!
I know some turners find inexpensive old laptops in pawn shops for their hollowing systems. It's not necessary to spend a lot of money for the video equipment.

 

[Lou Jacobs]

The focal length was too short. I had to have the camera so close I couldn't use it with my steady rest in place. It looks like yours might have a longer focal length. I found a camera that works but I have not been able to find a small monitor to work with it.

The focal length of my camera is listed as up to 10 CM (~4”), but in fact it’s pretty clear up to about 8”. While it may be blurry focused on the cutter head, once the camera is looking at the vessel, much closer, it’s pretty sharp.

 

[Darryn Achall]

Also interested to see how durable your camera is Lou. I'm still using an old usb pc camera running directly into a tablet on a tripod. It works great but the vibration kills the camera after about 6 months. Fortunately used usb cameras are easy to find. I collect them for free from people throwing old systems away. It takes 5 minutes now and then to switch the camera out. If the scope is durable, I would consider going a new route.

 

[Lou Jacobs]

I'm using my mother's old Windows Vista laptop that sits on top of the headstock on my Powermatic. It works great!
I know some turners find inexpensive old laptops in pawn shops for their hollowing systems. It's not necessary to spend a lot of money for the video equipment.

My previous setup also used an old laptop and an adapted webcam. I’ve got it in reserve if I am not satisfied with the iPad/boroscope version.View attachment 73127

Also interested to see how durable your camera is Lou.

I’ll keep you posted when/if I have difficulty with it, but full disclosure: only a small percentage of my turning is hollowing. It can sit on the shelf unused for a few weeks at a time.

 

[Tim Mortimer]

I made my own jig and use a Panacellent usb endoscope camera I purchased on Amazon 3 years ago. I plug it into my Samsung tablet and it works perfectly. It's subject to vibration but no problems todate. I'm read somewhere that cameras are more reliable than lasers which aren't that robust. I made a wooden jig first which worked exceptionally well but later made a metal version. I gave my friend the wooden one which he is still using to this day. The maximum depth I've hollowed is around 11 inches which wasn't a problem, the bar holding the cutter is 3/4 inch. Seen here on my old Union Graduate lathe.

 

[Lou Jacobs]

I made my own jig and use a Panacellent usb endoscope camera I purchased on Amazon 3 years ago. I plug it into my Samsung tablet and it works perfectly.

Looks like a great setup Tim. I’m glad to hear it’s worked so well over a good span of time.

 

[Richard Coers]

I made my own jig and use a Panacellent usb endoscope camera I purchased on Amazon 3 years ago. I plug it into my Samsung tablet and it works perfectly. It's subject to vibration but no problems todate. I'm read somewhere that cameras are more reliable than lasers which aren't that robust. I made a wooden jig first which worked exceptionally well but later made a metal version. I gave my friend the wooden one which he is still using to this day. The maximum depth I've hollowed is around 11 inches which wasn't a problem, the bar holding the cutter is 3/4 inch. Seen here on my old Union Graduate lathe.

I built mine with a cheap inspection camera over 10 years ago. No short service life here. But even that long ago other turners here didn't think I knew what I was talking about. I have a long history of hate on here. https://www.aawforum.org/community/threads/is-this-the-future.11349/#post-104851

 

[Doug Freeman]

A computer/tablet etc is NOT required to for a camera system. Any monitor can be used (I use on old 20” vga pc monitor, mounted to a desktop arm), a mini security camera, and a signal conditioner (bought on amazon) from the camera to the monitor. Been in use 6 years. Did have to replace the cable that came with the signal conditioner once.

 

[Lou Jacobs]

a signal conditioner (bought on amazon) from the camera to the monitor

Doug, I was searching for such an item, but didn’t know what it was called. I looked on Amazon and still am not sure what I’m looking at. Could I trouble you to paste a link to such an item? I’d love to use my old webcam and monitor as a reserve setup and store away the laptop out of the shop.

 

[Darryl Fective]

You can get a tiny USB corded webcam (replacement laptop camera module) for about $5 on Amazon. It's plug & play, has decent image/resolution, in a slim near weightless package.

 

[Dave Landers]

Doug, I was searching for such an item, but didn’t know what it was called. I looked on Amazon and still am not sure what I’m looking at. Could I trouble you to paste a link to such an item? I’d love to use my old webcam and monitor as a reserve setup and store away the laptop out of the shop.

To hook a webcam (USB) to a monitor you need something like a UVC (USB Video Class) to HDMI adapter. Assuming your monitor takes HDMI. Be careful, as most of what your search turns up will be the opposite (HDMI to UVC - aka "Capture Card") or will be USB-C / Thunderbolt to HDMI (for hooking a monitor to a newer computer). None of these things are bi-directional.

A quick google unearths the one I know about (but haven't used) from OBSBOT at around $170. Looks like there might be one from AliExpress for $42, if I've interpreted the bad English description correctly.
Cheaper to get another camera that will output what your monitor will accept.

 

[Lou Jacobs]

Thanks for the research Dave. I’m happy with my current setup, so won’t look further, but at one time was trying to find a way to use my webcam with an old monitor, bypassing the laptop.

 

[Doug Freeman]

Doug, I was searching for such an item, but didn’t know what it was called. I looked on Amazon and still am not sure what I’m looking at. Could I trouble you to paste a link to such an item? I’d love to use my old webcam and monitor as a reserve setup and store away the laptop out of the shop.

Signal converter probably would have been better terminology vs signal conditioner, but here is the one I'm using. It depends on the camera and the display device which type of converter you will need.

Amazon.com

 

[Lou Jacobs]

here is the one I'm using

Thanks for clarifying this Doug! I’ll keep the information in reserve if my current system proves ineffective.