So, having used my 5 Pro for only a few days I can already see the advantage of a Bluetooth controller. I do not see a conversation about this recently in the community.
Is this possible to use one? Do you have one and successfully use it? If so what are you using?
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1466965513/jog-control-for-shapeoko-carbide-motion
I have used this one for a few years now and can say it is simple and works great. I know some of the other members have this one as well.
@TonyMurray Very interesting! Looks pretty straightforward. Thanks for the suggestion.
@SirGariff absolutely no problem I use it like i said often simply plug in go to motion,connect to machine, run initialization, then open jog screen and pendent can do anything.
It works well for some folks:
for my part, I just use a custom keyboard:
I have the same wired jog controller as TonyMurray. I did not want another wireless device in the house and I never have to charge batteries. The cord is super long which is handy for moving around the table easy.
It’s all about your preference.
Great points sir! Leaning this way already pretty heavily.
The software will ramp up the jog speed at whatever increment you have selected for jog speed by just holding down the applicable jog button for all three axis’s.
I tried a virtual remote keyboard bluetooth on my phone & the lag was just enough to be annoying.
I went with a cheap 12 key wired USB & love it. Made a bracket to hang it on the inside of the enclosure & for most jogging I just leave it there.
@Tod1d great input. Lag is something I do NOT want to deal with. Thanks!
Damn $70 for 9 keys.
and an aluminum housing, and good quality mechanical key switches, and a PCB which comes pre-programmed.
I’ve been considering switching to some sort of programmable keyboard w/ customizable keys — the Stream Deck has been used by some folks successfully (notably back when CM had a two-part architecture and it was possible to tie into the back-end)
The normal size has enough keys:
but would have a bunch of dead keys for any reasonable layout I can envision… which set to black wouldn’t be that bad…
I’ve tried a lot of options. Personally I like the Rii Mini Keyboard the best. The right top direction pad jogs X and Y, while PgUp/PgDn jogs the Z. 1,2,3, and 4 change the jog increment.
I got one like this. Was like $15 at the time. Fully programable. 4 arrows, pg up, pg down, 1 2 3 4 for speeds.
A numpad would work too. Use 0, 1, 5, 7 for speeds. 2 4 6 8 3 9 for jog
While the Stream Deck IS expensive, it’s a GREAT tool in general. I know that you would figure out ways to use those “black” buttons for other functions if you have it connected to your computer. I will most likely head that direction in the future once I get rolling along making money with the pro 5.
Great suggestion that I didn’t even know was an option. Been looking for an excuse to purchase it. Thanks. You ALWAYS give great advice!!
Great suggestions both! So many options now!!
You you might have had a typo, but just in case @WillAdams said Stream Deck not Steam Deck. Big difference in price on those.
This did get me thinking though. It is not hard to make your own “keyboard” with an arduino. Would be interesting to make a DIY pendent using one.
Good point.
If one removes the r one arrives at:
which if one installed Windows, might make an interesting device to run Carbide Motion on:
(and which brings us back, full-circle to gaming devices)
I’m using an Xbox controller connected via Bluetooth to my laptop running Carbide Motion. Works great!
There is a Windows utility that allows you to map the various buttons on the Xbox controller to user defined keyboard macros, so I have full control over jogging, etc.
The other solutions in this thread are also great, but I had an Xbox controller laying around, and I like being able to walk around the machine while jogging it into position.
Relevant YouTube video:
I DID have a typo! Thanks for the catch. I corrected it.