Need a better counter

[DarkPenguin]

This is the start of my pickup winder.  (I don't know why I'm making one either.)  The counter is only good for about 100rpm.  Any suggestions for a better counter?  Has to be cheap.  Needs a better belt.  That rubber band won't last through a full pickup...

 

[Prometheus]

Maybe try a vacuum cleaner belt? They're short, rubber, stretchy, round (sometimes), and cheap.
For the counter, I can only think of optical or reduction-gear schemes. Or maybe some odometer-based Rube Goldberg

 

[bagman67]

Over on TDPRI, there's a coterie of pickup winder enthusiasts who have lots and lots of how-to's, demonstrations, and build threads for the winders they have built. 


I did a top level search on "building a pickup winder" and got loads of info right away.

 

[DarkPenguin]

Getting it very close and adding a strong magnet pushes it over 300 rpm.  Not awesome but more than fast enough for my needs.

 

[sixstringsamurai]

I think the best build it yourself design I have perused are the Jason Lollar plans....

The book is 60 bucks( :icon_scratch from him, and you have to sign a release saying you wont call his shop for tech support.

(this I understand he was getting inundated with calls, sometimes 50+ a day...)

but I found it online in a PDF format. :icon_thumright:

 

[DarkPenguin]

This is coming in under $50 so far.  $25 for the motor was the biggest expense.  The other stuff  came from axeman or scrap around the house.  I guess the sensors came from china for $5 and the calculator was $1 from target.

My pickup parts arrive by monday. 

 

[sixstringsamurai]

:icon_thumright:
Awesome!

I got a Dremel 4000 for my birthday this year, I was thinking about building a PU winder and powering it with that.

 

[DarkPenguin]

:icon_thumright:
Awesome!

I got a Dremel 4000 for my birthday this year, I was thinking about building a PU winder and powering it with that.

That would work.  And if you bought the workstation/drill press thing you could do it really easily.

 

[sixstringsamurai]

yup that and the plunge router base are next on my wishlist.

 

[DarkPenguin]

42 awg wire is really really thin.  What a pita to deal with.  Oh, and my counter does a nice job of snagging said wire.