Comparison of cheap touch probes

[rk9268vc]

Hello!

Im pretty new to CNC and have an acorn converted import mill.

I am looking for some guidance choosing an affordable touch probe for locating features with my mill.
My problem is that I dont really know what specs im looking for and what specs I actually "need"

for example:
Centroid has a probe listed for $699 plus tips https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... probe.html
Tormach has a probe listed for $369 plus tips https://tormach.com/passive-probe-probe-only-50355.html

Obviously the Centroid one is better, and has ruby tips etc, but is it twice as better? What kind of resolution do I realistically need for a hobby mill? Do you guys have a better option?

Thanks for the help!

[cnckeith]

[tblough]

What kind of resolution do I realistically need for a hobby mill?

What kind of accuracy do you want in your parts? You need 10X that accuracy in your measurement tools.

[tblough]

yugo f150.PNG

Too bad you didn't compare it to one of Ford's trucks

[rk9268vc]

What kind of resolution do I realistically need for a hobby mill?

What kind of accuracy do you want in your parts? You need 10X that accuracy in your measurement tools.

Im hoping to get within 1 thou. Realistically machining within +/- 3thou

[rk9268vc]

yugo f150.PNG

jokes on you, id rather have the yugo

[rk9268vc]

my other question is that both probes say they have the same repeatability, so whats the difference?
thanks

[martyscncgarage]

What kind of resolution do I realistically need for a hobby mill?

What kind of accuracy do you want in your parts? You need 10X that accuracy in your measurement tools.

Im hoping to get within 1 thou. Realistically machining within +/- 3thou

It's your money. Spend it once or spend it twice.
Spend it twice and the probe costs 3x as much. You could sell the cheaper probe too to offset the cost of the better probe if it doesn't work out for you.
Get a ring gage of AROUND 1" bore. You will need it to calibrate your probe. (Ebay)
Probes also need to be adjusted for concentricity, make sure any probe you are looking at can be adjusted.

Marty

[cnckeith]

The KP-3 internal kinematic seat design and construction is based on 30 years of probe R&D and production, there are lots of details to get right to make a probe reliable. anyone can make a probe repeat well or be accurate but for how long?

[rk9268vc]

The KP-3

I notice that the KP-3 uses 3 conductors, and the tormach one only uses 2.
What does the probe detect feature do? Will it work without it?
Thanks for the help