Wixey Laser being sold by Shopsmith

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BuckeyeDennis
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Re: Wixey Laser being sold by Shopsmith

Post by BuckeyeDennis »

I'm contemplating adding a drill-press laser to my Christmas wish list. I'd use it on a 10ER dedicated drill press, so I assume that I should just get a Wixey from Amazon, and make my own mounting bracket.

But first, I have a question for you guys that already use one: How well do they work with large Forstner bits? Those are a pain to align by eye, but I suspect that the head of the bit may occlude the laser crosshairs as well.
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reible
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Re: Wixey Laser being sold by Shopsmith

Post by reible »

I have the new one from shopsmith on order. Have to see how it works out as it appears to extend closer to the quill then my home made one.

Now as to how my home made one works with larger bits. Here is a picture with the laser on and a 2-1/8" bit installed.
laser sight.jpg
laser sight.jpg (129.74 KiB) Viewed 17530 times
As you can see the laser is pointed at the imaginary mark with the bit in the retracted state. As you lower the bit somewhere along the way it will shadow the laser but by then you have already located the drill point so it doesn't matter.

Where I have the laser located the "X" is gone when the bit is about a 1/2" above the work piece but the laser can also be moved up and down so that will vary with its position as well.

Ed
{Knight of the Shopsmith} [Hero's don't wear capes, they wear dog tags]
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BuckeyeDennis
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Re: Wixey Laser being sold by Shopsmith

Post by BuckeyeDennis »

Terrific -- thanks Ed!
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Re: Wixey Laser being sold by Shopsmith

Post by JPG »

So laser close to same elevation as table is desirable(and feasible)?
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reible
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Re: Wixey Laser being sold by Shopsmith

Post by reible »

On mine when the bottom of the lasers are about 2" from the height of the work piece they stop giving you a cross point. They are pretty linear in that regard but I have never attempted to stretch the vertical more then my normal working range.

On my home made unit I have a clamping knob so it is easy to adjust the height.

Ed
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kenbu
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Re: Wixey Laser being sold by Shopsmith

Post by kenbu »

Just FYI, a company called tigersupplies has the stock Wixey (WL133) on special at $28.50.

Ken
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Re: Wixey Laser being sold by Shopsmith

Post by RFGuy »

Shopsmith has put the laser on sale right now for anyone interested (valid through Dec 14th, 2019):
laser_sale.jpg
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reible
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Re: Wixey Laser being sold by Shopsmith

Post by reible »

Has anyone who order one received it yet?

Ed
{Knight of the Shopsmith} [Hero's don't wear capes, they wear dog tags]
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jsburger
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Re: Wixey Laser being sold by Shopsmith

Post by jsburger »

reible wrote:Has anyone who order one received it yet?

Ed
I have not gotten mine. It was ordered 26 Nov. I just checked and it still shows "Open item not shipped".
John & Mary Burger
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jsburger
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Re: Wixey Laser being sold by Shopsmith

Post by jsburger »

reible wrote:Has anyone who order one received it yet?

Ed
I got home from Sacramento today and had an email from SS that said it has shipped. The Fedex tracking number says it will be here Sat the 21st.
John & Mary Burger
Eagle's Lair Woodshop
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