Hi All,
  I plan to put a 15" LCD monitor in the existing control panel.
This will leave about a 2-1/2" space along the bottom for buttons.
I can leave the E-Stop and add whatever would be handy.
There is also room for several buttons/switches at the quill drive enclosure.
I was thinking of an E-Stop there as well.
I would like to have 1 MPG and axis selector. Would they go on the head or in the control panel ?

Question is: What external buttons/functions are typically used by you guys and where would you put them ?

The head went together very well. One of the sheave halves had been broken at some point and was poorly repaired. Other than that, it's almost as quiet as my 60 hour Bridgeport.

Thank you all,
RC

Here are the spaces I will have available.

btw...I ran out of gray, found some charcoal  and a can of blue so that's what she got.
I KNEW i saved them partial cans for something. 

Thanks again,
RC

Russ.

I would put e-stop , mpg , and axis selection switchs on console below monitor,
An external mpg on a cord is handy such as Peter homann has, but is always out of stock. But there are others.
Really handy for setup when your nose is in the spindle.    Need a mod i/o board for switches.

Ed

Good idea Ed.
 If I go with the pendant type, I may not put an MPG in the console.
Might just put the holster in a convienient place instead.
Thanks,
Russ

Russ ,

 Also , a must , for your console is a feedrate over ride.
I would keep the  panel on the head blank , polished Aluminum .   
Your console is plenty close, eliminate the extra wiring.

Ed

OK...
FRO, MPG w/Axis selector, ...... any others ?
Do you typically have a Cycle Start ?
That plate on the head is SS btw, but I suppose it WILL polish up. 

Thanks Ed,
RC

Russ,

The list is endless, but you don't have that much room. you could add a small section alongside your console for more buttons. cycle start, feed hold  , stop., the buttons off your head. Have to make a new cover plate for the head. Yours will have holes in it .New alum plate polished. LOL.     Don't forget a small start button for the pc, along with reset, and hd led.

But , if you go with a good pendant , you'll have mpg , and axis switches right there. you wont need those on the console.

Ed

Russ,

 Just thought I would bump this thread. 
Updates needed here.    BUMP , BUMP.

Ed

zzzzzZZZZZzzzzzzzZZZZZzzzzz oh   uhummm   yes ..  YES
Hi Ed,
   Had to put er' on the back burner for just a couple more weeks.
Got the PC, PS, HDD, Servo drives and 24VDC I/O PS for the drives in the panel.
Also started making up the cables for the motors and drive I/O breakouts.
Z will be OK for a while but mounting for the new motor is a beech.
I'll get some pics when I get back to it.
RC

Making a little headway.
Made adapter plates for the servo motors. They allow mounting the bigger AC servos to the original bolt patterns.....no modifications to the machine.
Also used the original belts and pulleys. 1.5:1 reduction...not ideal but I can live with it for now.
Got a lot of stuff mounted in the cabinet. I've been called many things, but ELECTRICIAN is not on the list. 
Bit by bit, it's coming together.
Wanting twin BoB's for the SS. Haven't decided which ones yet.
Back soon w/more pics.
RC