I finally did it, I forgot to unhook my alligator clip

[wespor]

It's shredded, still works I guess but I don't like the shame of looking at it every day. Is there somewhere I can order another without bothering Dianne?

[MogulTx]

You can do a "build your own" but I have found that the springy tension from the cable on a ShopBot-provided clip is "just right". My guys have now shredded 3. YES. THREE! So they have rigged up a non-coiled line to make the connection. It is a shame, but it is apparently necessary for them to be able to do such spot repairs!

I don't know what ShopBot charges, but it is worth paying, most of the time!

[Brady Watson]

If you have a spindle, you probably don't need it. I clip mine to the DT's front left leg and leave it there...

-B

[wespor]

If you have a spindle, you probably don't need it. I clip mine to the DT's front left leg and leave it there...

-B

Whoa, I didn't know that... hmm... now which bit to test that with.

[scottp55]

Weston,
We do the same as Brady with our two. Neither has ever been clipped onto collet nut ever.
The way TJ talks, It's a Very common part request, and you've already done the hardest part...admitting it:)
(Now if they'll just put a .wav file attached the the "is tool zeroed" prompt(something like "Cry of the Valkyries"? ) most of My brain farts would disappear)
Don't forget to still do a continuity check EVERY time. Wires/connectors/dirty or coated bits can still cause problems.

[coryatjohn]

>> I clip mine to the DT's front left leg and leave it there...

What in tarnation is the "DT's front left leg?"

I rarely use the dang thing anyway. I find it's just as easy to do it by eye.

[scottp55]

:)
Here you go John.
Smallest bit I use it on is the .006" tip on a .125" 30 degree, and no problems at all if I get a green input 1 light first.
Oh, green ribbon is because even though I wrote "GREEN?" onto the plate with a sharpie....I STILL forgot continuity check when tired.
D(esk)T(op)

[Brady Watson]

Whoa, I didn't know that... hmm... now which bit to test that with.

Early PRTs were sometimes flaky when it came time to Zzero...I have the die hard habit of always touching the plate to the tip of the tool before zeroing. It seems a bit OCD, but it works. If Input 1 lights up, then C2. If not...touch it to the nut, if it lights up the bit is insulated (some coatings are insulative) if it doesn't, time to check wiring.

-B

[tri4sale]

Early PRTs were sometimes flaky when it came time to Zzero...I have the die hard habit of always touching the plate to the tip of the tool before zeroing. It seems a bit OCD, but it works. If Input 1 lights up, then C2. If not...touch it to the nut, if it lights up the bit is insulated (some coatings are insulative) if it doesn't, time to check wiring.

-B

Glad I'm not the only one with this OCD trait :)

When I first got my 'Bot learned the hard way to test the plate to tip before C2 to make sure it lights up. Plate is a bit scratched up from the learning process...

[Simops]

In my case with the Buddy I have my alligator clip on my Dust Collector clamp as per pic attached. It's all grounded of course. Works a treat.....permanently attached never have to worry about it.....never let me down.
Cheers26017

[barrowj]

My full size PRT Alpha has a spindle and it works great without the alligator clip. It's only been a problem once in the past year.

Joe

[Brady Watson]

Many tools with spindles can pull the clip wire out of the Wago altogether. This makes Zzeroing less of a cluster with tangled wires etc. Leave the green wire in there...

Unfortunately router guys need to keep it because brush wear breaks continuity and the plate will stop working.

If you take the wire out of the Wago and it doesn't work, a jumper wire from the ground bus bar to any blue Gnd terminal in the control box will fix it.

-B

[phil_o]

Never used mine, never had a problem. I have a spindle.

Phil

[stump]

I have a PRT Alpha with a PC Router. The previous owner had installed a socket head cap screw to clip to rather then the bit. I don't leave it installed when running, however I have forgotten to take it off once or twice and it has not been a problem. I can't take credit or blame, but it has worked well for me over the years.

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=26019&stc=1

[curtiss]

Been there, done that... with my clip a long time ago. Fixed it with a clip from Radio Shack and a coil cord off of a phone charger. The key is to ....always remove the clip first.... before moving the plate out of the way...


This week I fixed up my ShopBot dust skirt with a few pieces of plastic off of a small Frisbee.... no comment how I messed that up.

[James M]

Mea culpa,

I fried my clip the other day.

I made the mistake of removing the plate first.

[feinddj]

I managed to run mine over with the y car. The embarrassing part is how long it took to realize my problem was a cut wire with occasional continuity. I have it attached to the bolt on the spindle and check it (most of the time)