This morning Stan did a short on the touch DRO give away's that this years Christmas party. I am pumped, and see you have had one for pass 5 years too. I missed see your video until this morning. I will be looking more into getting one after the Holidays for sure. Bear.
They are ok. The problem I do not like is having to maintain the monitor device, keep it charged or plugged in and the battery goes bad. That is why I am replacing mine with a dedicated system. Check out aikrondro.com, this is the systems I am installing right now on two lathes.
I've had a touch DRO on my benchtop mill for a couple years or so now and love it. Don't think the Blue DRO was out yet and I used a Texas Instruments MSP430 with USB connectors and bluetooth board I got from amazon using Yuriy's assembly directions on his website. Might have bought the pre-assembled unit if they'd been available but I kinda like seeing the LED lights flashing in the plastic sandwich box I have it in. Only problem I've had, and it's only happened a couple times, is one of the axis has frozen and the processor has to be rebooted. So far been a rare occurrence and otherwise flawless.
Randy, I've been using TouchDRO with Al's BluDRO interface for about 9 months now. Another thing you can do when setting a dimension on the X is to use the math capabilities built into that function. So instead of going to your calculator you can simply enter your micrometer reading, press the minus key, then enter your desired diameter & press Set Dimension. The software will do the math and all you do is work the material down until the DRO reads zero.
The guy who wrote the software (yuriy) also sells a box similar to the blue-dro which can work with magnetic type scales. I'm not sure if it also works with the glass type ones, but I suspect it probably would. I've had one on my milling machine for a while and it's brilliant.
Thanks for the good word Lee! I had no intention of stepping on anyones toes. And for the sake of full disclosure I do make the boards but it is Yuriy's design....I just tried to make it a turnkey plug and play type kit for those who would rather not fool with the nuts and bolts....thanks again!
50$ now after ordering ebay dro's with less features, i processed to return the 3 axis, keeping the 4 lcd and ordered 2 of the touchdro kits, i'll add a pig tail to my 4 axis lcd dro (nice features, last one available) so i can use a 10 pin connector to swap it to the main machine for the day and have the touch dro on the machine properly tuned for when i gotta be really accurate
Nice unit.....I noticed you can zero in both inc or abs with a simple touch, my dro when in abs does not allow a simple touch but requires a long hold down on the button to assure the change....that has saved my ass many times....lol
Randy, for the tach to work, you need to have an encoder or hall effect sensor on the spindle. Right now you can score some new old stock Omron 1000ppr encoders on eBay for super cheap ($20), make an adapter for the tail end of your spindle to drive it with a belt and you're set.
Hi Randy, Nice set-up makes it easy to get a DRO at decent price, seems to function pretty good... I also read the comment where Yuriy is not too happy with someone... :( Cheers, Pierre
I think I may go this route. I have an old Mitutoyo DRO on my mill that went tango uniform quit a while ago. The existing glass scales are good (I think), making this quite a cheap solution, based on the DIY kit pricing that I'm seeing on the touchdro website. Thanks for the inspiration buddy. Fly low, take chances.
This is actually a very smart idea, do away with all that expensive tech, write software, design a receiver emitter box and you're done. Now...i wonder what the limitations on the lag are.
Btw, you can get a pouch for the tablet, the kind with a swivel back from eBay (something like 3, 4 dollars from China, with free shipping) and they have this plastic mount on the back where the swivel part of the pouch goes. If you strip that apart, essentially, you have a tablet holder right there (for a third of the price, since they price these on use, not how little and shitty plastic they sell). I think a simple piece of flashing with a hole that matches the one on the back would do as a mount. I have the same thing for my Samsung tablet and i've been kicking around the idea of making it in to a mount once the "leather" gets completely peeled off.
check out one of my older videos it may help. If not fell free to ask questions or I can show something more specific. Link: th-cam.com/video/flf2cOTqM9I/w-d-xo.html
Getting zero support from anyone I'm having to reverse engineer this thing and I'm spending hours searching the internet for any clues. My PCB is rev 2.1 and if you open the Blu-DRO case you will see 4 pads labeled tach. If you email me, when ready, I can tell you what the pins are, how they work and a link to what sensor to buy. I haven't done it myself yet either.
Randy Its been almost 2yrs since this video was posted. Are you still using Blu-Dro and the AccuRemote scales? Any usability issue? And lastly, would you still recommend, especially for the home shop? John
You take a referance cut, then measure the diameter, then enter that diameter directly into the DRO display for that axis. Or you can zero the axis. Thanks Kirk for watching.
I believe you that it works well NOW. But what will be in 15 years? In 5 or 6 years you will get messages, that updates are no longer available therefore some apps refuse to work any longer, then the latest OS cannot be installed because not enough RAM or what ever. So they force you to buy a new tablet PC every 4-6 years and who knows if the DRO app is still available then or you have to buy an upgrade for that too. Total rip off technology. I prefer a dedicated DRO mounted on a swivel arm as part of the measurement system.
Morning Randy, Mike here in Lincoln, Nebraska. Where in the heck do i get a Blu_DRO controller. I emailed Al Basset twice got NO response. Sincerely, Mike
This morning Stan did a short on the touch DRO give away's that this years Christmas party. I am pumped, and see you have had one for pass 5 years too. I missed see your video until this morning. I will be looking more into getting one after the Holidays for sure. Bear.
They are ok. The problem I do not like is having to maintain the monitor device, keep it charged or plugged in and the battery goes bad. That is why I am replacing mine with a dedicated system. Check out aikrondro.com, this is the systems I am installing right now on two lathes.
Great advise Randy, thank you! Blessed days ahead, Keep on teaching us ole newbees !
Thx have done. Boy, that's one hot looking sales lady (@@)!
I've had a touch DRO on my benchtop mill for a couple years or so now and love it. Don't think the Blue DRO was out yet and I used a Texas Instruments MSP430 with USB connectors and bluetooth board I got from amazon using Yuriy's assembly directions on his website. Might have bought the pre-assembled unit if they'd been available but I kinda like seeing the LED lights flashing in the plastic sandwich box I have it in. Only problem I've had, and it's only happened a couple times, is one of the axis has frozen and the processor has to be rebooted. So far been a rare occurrence and otherwise flawless.
No problems so far, Thanks for the input on your setup, more to learn from.
I picked up a Blu-DRO after Bar-Z and it's been sitting on my shelf since then...thanks for the nudge. Great job and looks good.
It works great.
Randy, I've been using TouchDRO with Al's BluDRO interface for about 9 months now. Another thing you can do when setting a dimension on the X is to use the math capabilities built into that function. So instead of going to your calculator you can simply enter your micrometer reading, press the minus key, then enter your desired diameter & press Set Dimension. The software will do the math and all you do is work the material down until the DRO reads zero.
I have to try that. Thanks Lee for the tip.
The guy who wrote the software (yuriy) also sells a box similar to the blue-dro which can work with magnetic type scales. I'm not sure if it also works with the glass type ones, but I suspect it probably would. I've had one on my milling machine for a while and it's brilliant.
looks like blue-dro resells yuriy's dro board with just their blue cover box )
bioname Nope - Al, who sells BluDRO, builds his own Arduino based boards.
MrPragmaticLee please read yuriy answer below
Thanks for the good word Lee! I had no intention of stepping on anyones toes. And for the sake of full disclosure I do make the boards but it is Yuriy's design....I just tried to make it a turnkey plug and play type kit for those who would rather not fool with the nuts and bolts....thanks again!
this is the first time I;m see this DRO with a tablet, I'm going to have to look a little deeper into this, thanks for sharing
Works great Brian, nice large display.
50$ now after ordering ebay dro's with less features, i processed to return the 3 axis, keeping the 4 lcd and ordered 2 of the touchdro kits, i'll add a pig tail to my 4 axis lcd dro (nice features, last one available) so i can use a 10 pin connector to swap it to the main machine for the day and have the touch dro on the machine properly tuned for when i gotta be really accurate
ok
@@RRINTHESHOP actually just go through your videos real quick have you done any more update videos on this particular DRO or are you still using it
Nice unit.....I noticed you can zero in both inc or abs with a simple touch, my dro when in abs does not allow a simple touch but requires a long hold down on the button to assure the change....that has saved my ass many times....lol
Yep, Have to watch where you put your fingers. Thanks Chuck.
Like it!! Almost makes me think that one day I just might set up the old lathe with DRO. Have heard good things about this system.
Very affordable. Thanks Chris.
Randy, for the tach to work, you need to have an encoder or hall effect sensor on the spindle. Right now you can score some new old stock Omron 1000ppr encoders on eBay for super cheap ($20), make an adapter for the tail end of your spindle to drive it with a belt and you're set.
I already have a hall effect hooked on the spindle, I should make up a cable and plug it in.
Hi Randy,
Nice set-up makes it easy to get a DRO at decent price, seems to function pretty good...
I also read the comment where Yuriy is not too happy with someone... :(
Cheers, Pierre
Works well, can't keep everyone happy.
I think I may go this route. I have an old Mitutoyo DRO on my mill that went tango uniform quit a while ago. The existing glass scales are good (I think), making this quite a cheap solution, based on the DIY kit pricing that I'm seeing on the touchdro website. Thanks for the inspiration buddy. Fly low, take chances.
I am not sure about the scales this all works with, just have to look into it. This all works quite well and I love the display. Thanks Greg.
How and what is connect or plug into the Blu-DRO or TouchDro? Or do you have another video showing how its install? Thanks for sharing.
This is actually a very smart idea, do away with all that expensive tech, write software, design a receiver emitter box and you're done. Now...i wonder what the limitations on the lag are.
Btw, you can get a pouch for the tablet, the kind with a swivel back from eBay (something like 3, 4 dollars from China, with free shipping) and they have this plastic mount on the back where the swivel part of the pouch goes. If you strip that apart, essentially, you have a tablet holder right there (for a third of the price, since they price these on use, not how little and shitty plastic they sell). I think a simple piece of flashing with a hole that matches the one on the back would do as a mount.
I have the same thing for my Samsung tablet and i've been kicking around the idea of making it in to a mount once the "leather" gets completely peeled off.
hi Randy watched with great interest as I am getting one of these can I please ask what size is the tablet thanks, great video
I was waiting for you to do the review on the blu-dro. Now I have some idea what it is like.
Works very well, Thanks Harold.
That's pretty trick Randy, Thanks for the update Jim
Thanks Jim.
Awesome setup. I installed this on my Mill, and love it
Thanks for sharing
Works great. Thanks Neil.
Looks like a nice setup.
Thanks Mike.
Very cool. Ive seen where some guys hook them up using Igaging scales is that what you did.
Mine are the Igaging accuremote scales.
Very cool Randy......always enjoy your vids.
Thanks Danny.
I would really like to see how you attached the scales to your Logan. This issue has stopped me from stepping up to a DRO on mine.
check out one of my older videos it may help. If not fell free to ask questions or I can show something more specific. Link: th-cam.com/video/flf2cOTqM9I/w-d-xo.html
Very cool DRO.
-- Cheers, Gary
Thanks Gary.
How can i get this box for my milling machine .? i have the ols school set up with the glass scales. thanks
Use this link. blu-dro.com/?ap_id=rrits
very nice piece of kit.
Curious Randy, have you added a tach to the blu-dro?
No I have not, but I should.
Getting zero support from anyone I'm having to reverse engineer this thing and I'm spending hours searching the internet for any clues. My PCB is rev 2.1 and if you open the Blu-DRO case you will see 4 pads labeled tach. If you email me, when ready, I can tell you what the pins are, how they work and a link to what sensor to buy. I haven't done it myself yet either.
Randy
Its been almost 2yrs since this video was posted. Are you still using Blu-Dro and the AccuRemote scales? Any usability issue? And lastly, would you still recommend, especially for the home shop?
John
Yes I am and it works great on the small lathe. Still works great.
How about showing the transmitter and scale installations?
I will have to make a separate video on that. It will be rather difficult. Thank you John.
Great looking app.
The app works well and is easy to understand. Thanks Greg.
Hi Randy!
I know that author has some different models/kits.
Direct link to his site - www.yuriystoys.com/p/store.html
How do you validate the DRO on a lathe? Thanks
You take a referance cut, then measure the diameter, then enter that diameter directly into the DRO display for that axis.
Or you can zero the axis. Thanks Kirk for watching.
How long will your tablet PC live? How long will your lathe live?
The lathe longer than I will. the tablet who knows, this is all I use it for. This setup works very well.
I believe you that it works well NOW. But what will be in 15 years? In 5 or 6 years you will get messages, that updates are no longer available therefore some apps refuse to work any longer, then the latest OS cannot be installed because not enough RAM or what ever. So they force you to buy a new tablet PC every 4-6 years and who knows if the DRO app is still available then or you have to buy an upgrade for that too. Total rip off technology. I prefer a dedicated DRO mounted on a swivel arm as part of the measurement system.
I can not argue about all of that. The app is free.
that looks awesome mate:)
Thanks Jason.
randy interesting video great tip.
Thanks Bob.
Morning Randy, Mike here in Lincoln, Nebraska. Where in the heck do i get a Blu_DRO controller. I emailed Al Basset twice got NO response. Sincerely, Mike
Right here. www.yuriystoys.com/2018/01/blu-dro.html
Yuri is the one who developed the software. Thanks Mike.
So you could take 0.250in off the Sweetiepie.... lol
More or less. Thanks