Now that I have the PM 835 I realize I really should have gotten the DRO pre installed. But since I did not, Looking to add now. Does anyone have suggestions for the DRO? All feedback welcomed, but I Would prefer to hear from someone that has already done this to discuss what I will need to make for brackets and what length of the sensors you ordered.
would look at DRO Pros. They have a variety of glass and magnetic scale DRO's at reasonable prices. Also a lot of good infromation.
If you want to go with a less expensive DRO, some of the ones shipped from China will provide glass scales systems at a discount but the customer service won't be as good.
On the cheap are the capacitive scale units but they don't have the resolution of the glass scales. Capacitive scales typically have 10 micron (.0004") resolution . Glass scales are available with 5 micron (.0002") or 1 micron (.00004") scales as are magnetic scales. The 5 micron scale should be sufficient for most mill work.
Readout features are another consideration. Most of the glass and magnetic scale readouts have features like subdatum points which act like the ABS/INC button on a digital caliper but permit up to 200 different settings. They also will have features like bolt circle location, linear hole location, and cutting arcs, The capacitive scale readouts are generally simpler in function although some like Yuriy's Touch Scale offer advanced features.
Going upscale, there are systems like Mitutoyo, Anilam, and AcuRite, Fagor, & Newall.
I have installed two Grizzly systems which are essentially the same as the Easson system sold by DRO Pros and a Touch DRO sysytem. All three perform to expectations with the oldest having been in service for 14 years. I did custom installs for all of mine, making my own brackets to optimize te location of the scales and minimiize any impact on machine function.
Were I to do it again, I would go with the Easson system, probably with 5 micron scales for the mill and 1 micron scales for the lathe..