Got there in the end Mike, much easier than I expected with some existing tapped holes you could use. Don't forget to add a Bump stop to your carriage to stop the tailstock crashing into the scale. Fit it either the carriage or tailstock whichever is easier or has a spare hole. Perhaps just a neoprene rubber sheet or aluminium sheet, siliconed to the top of your cross slide and overhanging the scale may keep out the dirt. If you also bolt / rivet on a bit of say 1 inch aluminium angle to the edge of the sheet that overhangs the scale it will hang down enough to stop swarf from drifting in. I think your main swarf ingress could come from when you are drilling holes, and mainly brass or cast iron or even Phenolic. Looking forward to the conclusion and you actually using it to make parts. I am so please with my DRO, so easy to use and switch between Imperial and Metric and Diameter or Radius.
I'm close to getting a DRO for my lathe also. haven't really looked at mounting yet but your video got me thinking. So now I need to give it a look and see how it will mount on my lathe.
I would think the newer lathes would be more compatible with the scales. Seems like the carriages could be designed to cradle the scales without too much trouble. I don't think DROs existed when my lathe was made. Good luck on yours. Maybe we'll get to see a video? Tc, Mike
That's a good solution to a tricky problem. I wrestled where to mount that scale for a week! I had locks in the way on my machine. I mounted the display to the left behind the headstock. When I'm watching the digits, my eyes are never far from where the action is and I can watch both. The only thing I wish this thing would do is halve the amount shown on the y axis. If you dial in 10 thou, you are actually removing 20thou. Not a big thing, just took a bit for me to get used to. Maybe all lathe dro's are like this, but it seemed counter intuitive to this new guy.
Check your handbook for settings. most DRO should be able to set Diameter or Radius. Good luck. Thought just occurred to me, if there is no D or R setting and you have a 5 micron scale, set the unit to say that it is a 10 micron scale.
@@jagboy69 Just watched you circular saw the 1 inch ally and your video of the lathe running on a VFD. Could not see the DRO install, will go back and check. If you want to contact me direct use dave90@adam.com.au Regards from Australia.
I thought about mounting the display on the headstock as well. Closer to your sight line. I mounted it on the splash pan because the holes were already there. Lazy I guess. I'll look up the video of your installation. I saw Dave's comment regarding changing display from indirect to direct reading. That's my understanding as well. I haven't gotten into mine that far. I'll actually read the book. 😁 I'll be very disappointed I'd I don't have a direct read option. The X should be set to 1:1 move and the Y set to 0.5:1 in my mind. I appreciate your comments. Tc Mike
I liked the way you talked the process through in real time. Lookin good Mike!
Thanks Fred. Looking forward to using it now! Tc, Mike
Got there in the end Mike, much easier than I expected with some existing tapped holes you could use. Don't forget to add a Bump stop to your carriage to stop the tailstock crashing into the scale. Fit it either the carriage or tailstock whichever is easier or has a spare hole. Perhaps just a neoprene rubber sheet or aluminium sheet, siliconed to the top of your cross slide and overhanging the scale may keep out the dirt. If you also bolt / rivet on a bit of say 1 inch aluminium angle to the edge of the sheet that overhangs the scale it will hang down enough to stop swarf from drifting in. I think your main swarf ingress could come from when you are drilling holes, and mainly brass or cast iron or even Phenolic. Looking forward to the conclusion and you actually using it to make parts. I am so please with my DRO, so easy to use and switch between Imperial and Metric and Diameter or Radius.
Ill come up with some kind of stop for sure. I think I have a plan for the guard. I wish I had access to a press brake. 🤔 Tc Mike
I'm close to getting a DRO for my lathe also. haven't really looked at mounting yet but your video got me thinking. So now I need to give it a look and see how it will mount on my lathe.
I would think the newer lathes would be more compatible with the scales. Seems like the carriages could be designed to cradle the scales without too much trouble. I don't think DROs existed when my lathe was made. Good luck on yours. Maybe we'll get to see a video? Tc, Mike
Mounting the lathe DRO was a lot more trouble for me than mounting the DRO on the small mill. God bless Stay safe
I agree. The x was easy but the y was a pain to figure out. Not perfect but it should be ok. Tc, Mike
That's a good solution to a tricky problem. I wrestled where to mount that scale for a week! I had locks in the way on my machine. I mounted the display to the left behind the headstock. When I'm watching the digits, my eyes are never far from where the action is and I can watch both. The only thing I wish this thing would do is halve the amount shown on the y axis. If you dial in 10 thou, you are actually removing 20thou. Not a big thing, just took a bit for me to get used to. Maybe all lathe dro's are like this, but it seemed counter intuitive to this new guy.
Check your handbook for settings. most DRO should be able to set Diameter or Radius. Good luck. Thought just occurred to me, if there is no D or R setting and you have a 5 micron scale, set the unit to say that it is a 10 micron scale.
@@daveticehurst4191 That's an idea. Remember I have the exact DRO you have. Thanks. Did you go sign up and look at my install?
@@jagboy69 Just watched you circular saw the 1 inch ally and your video of the lathe running on a VFD. Could not see the DRO install, will go back and check. If you want to contact me direct use dave90@adam.com.au Regards from Australia.
I thought about mounting the display on the headstock as well. Closer to your sight line. I mounted it on the splash pan because the holes were already there. Lazy I guess. I'll look up the video of your installation. I saw Dave's comment regarding changing display from indirect to direct reading. That's my understanding as well. I haven't gotten into mine that far. I'll actually read the book. 😁 I'll be very disappointed I'd I don't have a direct read option. The X should be set to 1:1 move and the Y set to 0.5:1 in my mind. I appreciate your comments. Tc Mike
You may find this video interesting.
th-cam.com/video/NoQ9RhGFpxI/w-d-xo.html