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2014 POTD Thread Archive
- Thread starter Smudgemo
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2012
- Messages
- 958
Finally took the leap and bought a DRO for my lathe. Went with the DRO Pros "EL-400" 8x40 mag scale unit. Until it arrives next week I been working on preliminary brackets and plotting various install methods. Although the mag scales are extremely low profile, they will just barely fit mounting the traditional way vertically on the side of the cross slide as shown in all their videos. My colchester top slide lock bolts are not exposed on top like most lathes but rather recessed in pockets. Mounting vertical will cover the lock bolts so that is a no go. My current workaround is a 16 ga 304 SS mounting plate that covers the entire top of the slide and extends rearward and a scale width+ toward the tailstock. With the 5/8" bent down flanges the plate is very rigid. Plan is to mount the read head behind the carriage rather than in the middle between the ways. Seems goofy but i kinda prefer it back there out of harms way.
With the slide cranked all the way back (run off the lead nut ) the plate clears the back guard by 1/2"
Couple more custom doo dads are going to be required to mount the readers but ill wait till i have them in hand before proceeding.
Aspects I like with this mounting -
Maintains access to lock screw and gib strip screws.
Less holes to drill and tap on the machine itself. Remove the plate and at least on cross slide, the dro was never there. The last owner added the 5/16" tapped holes used for mounting so i used those to affix the plate. Plate covers a bunch of shcs and various swiss cheese holes the po added. I like my stuff clean and they were crud catchers.
Mounting scale inverted eliminates oil/chips/crud build up on the ledge of the extrusion although thats probably no huge issue.
Downside i loose .060 center height clearance due to plate thickness. Also lose about 1.25" tailstock travel towards the head.
With the slide cranked all the way back (run off the lead nut ) the plate clears the back guard by 1/2"
Couple more custom doo dads are going to be required to mount the readers but ill wait till i have them in hand before proceeding.
Aspects I like with this mounting -
Maintains access to lock screw and gib strip screws.
Less holes to drill and tap on the machine itself. Remove the plate and at least on cross slide, the dro was never there. The last owner added the 5/16" tapped holes used for mounting so i used those to affix the plate. Plate covers a bunch of shcs and various swiss cheese holes the po added. I like my stuff clean and they were crud catchers.
Mounting scale inverted eliminates oil/chips/crud build up on the ledge of the extrusion although thats probably no huge issue.
Downside i loose .060 center height clearance due to plate thickness. Also lose about 1.25" tailstock travel towards the head.
I'm in the process of completely moving my gunsmith shop. My current shop is 600 s.f and the new one is 900, plus it's going to be insulated so I can actually work in it year round. I'm still in the process of moving and cleaning, but here's a half-axxed pic.
http://i494.photobucket.com/albums/...14-12/IMG_20141204_190020_359_zps95axtasw.jpg
http://i494.photobucket.com/albums/...14-12/IMG_20141204_190020_359_zps95axtasw.jpg
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2013
- Messages
- 218
VERY nice sir !
Well, thank you! I used to spend a lot of time up in your part of the world and hope to be back before long.
If you ever make it down this way, give me a shout and I'll buy you a cup of coffee or a shot of something a bit stronger.:thumbzup3:
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2012
- Messages
- 958
Look at at that floor space! Im envyous
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2010
- Messages
- 306
Finally got the chance to get back into the shop and finish the DRO setup on the lathe. I had already gotten 2 axis done and just needed to finish the Tailstock. Didnt turn out too bad by my standards 
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2013
- Messages
- 43
Easy holiday lathe project
Easy holiday lathe project kindy cheesey but she loved it
no precision tool needed just a few BB's and a piece of stock
Easy holiday lathe project kindy cheesey but she loved it
no precision tool needed just a few BB's and a piece of stock
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2010
- Messages
- 306
My son is building a trailer for his Grandma for a welding/ag project. I am having him use some 1 5/8" galvanized pipe for the uprights and needed to fishmouth the top edge for a clean, strong build. I grabbed a tubing notcher (I had bought from a neighbor several years ago and hadnt ever used) and was going to change the hole saw to the correct size. I proceeded to twist off the adapter the company had made with my hands! So, I made a new shaft to fit the larger hole saws that I use. Even got the chance to do some threading with the lathe, hadnt done that yet, and still need some practice! Here is the rebuild of the tubing notcher so he can continue on the trailer.
