Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: LCD monitor for CNC controller

> Hi guys,
>
> I have a dos-based control running under win98 using a PCI VGA
> color
> monitor. The entire box weighs a ton and most of the weight is in
> the
> 15" monitor.
>
> I am sure a 10" - 12" LCD composite mono monitor would be fine as
> the
> colors on the current VGA screen don't do anything that matters if
> they were all B&W.
>
> Anyone now where I can get an ISA or PCI LCD for something less
> than
> the national debt? I have seen some flat panel displays for around
> $200, but seem to think there must be some older ex-laptop
> displays
> out there somewhere in the under-100-buck range.
>
> Any and all suggestions greatly appreciated.
>

I have done this before, although it depends on how much of a scrounge you
are and your level of comfort kludgeing stuff together.

Buy an old LCD projection panel, the kind that you hook up to your computer,
and put on an overhead projector. There is no backlight on these so you will
need to find one of those. Open it up and see what kind of LCD screen is in
there, probably Sharp, or one of the other major electronics companies. Find
an old lcd screen or laptop that is broken with the same screen. Now you
have 2 options here. Transplant the screen and backlight from the laptop to
the lcd projection panel if the connectors are the same and it is the same
manufacturer. Or rip the backlight part from the laptop and scab it onto the
back of the projection panel lcd. You will also need the backlight power
supply, I have seen them in the past from surplus sources for about $2.00
each.

Perhaps a better solution, since you are running a DOS controller would be
to get an old Pentium laptop in working condition, and remove the screen.
Take the cables that goes from the screen to the motherboard and splice in a
3 foot extension, build a case for the screen and your done. I've done that
before also. Not that pretty, but it does work.

The above mods are only worthwhile if you can pick up the stuff really
really cheap, or have it allready in a box somewhere in the garage. I'm
afraid I have just shown everybody just how cheap I really am.

Bill