Looking for a handheld MPG pendant that works with PathPilot

[Richard_Bering]

Does Tormach sell one or perhaps there are generic handheld pendants sold online somewhere?

I don’t want to use the Tormach shuttle (just sits on a table like a mouse? seems weird to me.) I’m a complete CNC noobie so this seems very odd to me that Tormach doesn’t sell a handheld version… maybe I’m missing something.

[Ashraf_Farrag]

VistaCNC Pendant Issues - PP MD5 Checksum blocking HAL file modification?

Hi Folks, I am trying to set up a VistaCNC P1A-S Pendant on my PCNC 440 running Pathpilot V2.10.1 and running into what appears to be a failed md5sum checksum issue that prevents Pathpilot from starting. I can’t seem to find anything about this error online, either for Pathpilot or LinuxCNC, and I reached out to VistaCNC but their suggested ini file modifications didn’t work (still waiting on hearing back about next steps). Here’s the background: first I successfully flashed the pendant to Lin…

[Ashraf_Farrag]

To answer the first question, Tormach bundles a pendant with the operator console which isn’t listed compatible with the 440. I went with a touchscreen monitor and use that, the keyboard and the shuttle.

I should be looking at getting a pendant to have it in my hand and closer to the machine when jogging as I can count at least two pieces of broken carbide due to being a distracted CNC driver…

[David_Trader]

the thing I dislike about the shuttle is not having a positive selector for the axis. It’s too easy to switch. Other than that no issue with it.

Dave

[Roy]

I have a learned habit to click the appropriate axis button on the shuttle several times to be sure it switched.

Other than that I like that I can stick my face in and watch the machine closely while turning the shuttle with my free hand without needing to look at or hold it.

That said, if you’re a total CNC noob, a shuttle is not something you need right off the bat, so you could hold off and see what you prefer.

[Mike_Henry]

The pendant made and sold by MadeWithCNC.com works well the 1100/S3 mill, 15L lathe and another machine that I use. They hold up well, have a quality MPG dial, and I like the button and switch options on it.

[Ashraf_Farrag]

Thanks for the testimonial. I’m waiting for my tracking number on that one. I was waiting to suggest it until after I actually used it. The PP modifications for the Vista seemed like more work than necessary. I would understand that is necessary for the versions that can display XYZ coordinates on the pendant.

I tried to order the one floating around on eBay for a few bucks less earlier this year. I asked a question with my paid order if it was compatible with the 440 on PathPilot v2.10. They confused v2.10 for v2.1, where it requires v2.5 minimum and canceled my order. I figure the grip/guard is worth the few extra bucks.

[Mike_Henry]

You will probably like it, certainly a lot more than the Shuttle. So far I’ve had no incompatibilities between it and the various versions of PathPilot thatI’ve used.