DRO -- Educate Me Please

Bob Korves said:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2-a...lgo_pvid=37739215-47e4-490b-84e0-7e5e2715c9e2
$235.60 including shipping.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Eas...lgo_pvid=dbcd31e2-d839-4a32-8509-cbaf221e3878 $435.12 including shipping

Just a few examples of three axis mill DRO kits...
Click to expand...

I've looked at both Ebay and Aliexpress and I must admit its mind boggling. Prices seem to be all over the place - but the three I have focused on are Bob's recommendations above for $235 and $435 and Holescreek suggestion linked here http://www.ebay.com/itm/182295304583?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I don't see a lot of difference so I'm wondering if anyone has experience with the specific Aliexpress models and how they might compare to Holescreek suggestion.

Thanks
Rick
 
I think the quality of the manual on the Eason unit has to be better since so many home guys swear by them and the US companies sell them for greatly marked up prices. I believe I mentioned that the chinglish of the manuals I got was the worst I'd seen.

I looked at the links above too and the scales appear to be coming from the same factory, or at least the parts are coming from the same suppliers. The only difference being the color of the wiper seal (yellow vs. black) The readouts themselves are all different, the $235 unit has a layout similar to my Meister Top10 unit.
 
I have no idea how those units actually compare as delivered. And, with how quickly that market has been changing, I don't think anyone really knows the current marketplace and how the different units truly compare, especially thinking down the road 5 or 10 years. And if the sellers do know, they are only telling their own version of the story. You pay your money and take your chances. When I am guessing, I guess with the low cost version. Just me... Others want someone to hold their hand, and that is understandable. It is an expensive hand hold, though... My current mode is to just wait. Prices have been tanking on DROs, and it doesn't look like that will end anytime soon. I get by pretty well with just using the dials.
 
As I continue to flip the should I/Shouldn't coin I got to thinking about some of the old school versus DRO advantages and some comments (maybe here maybe somewhere else) relating to horse and buggy versus car. I was thinking about this as I was doing some yard work - hauling stones, debris around - I thought I really don't need a lawn tractor and cart - I could do the work with a wheelbarrow. It would be slower and more tiring but the job would get done. It sure is esier and ,more enjoyble to use the tractor and cart. I decided to stop flipping the coin and just get the DRO.

It's going to be a 3 axis unit and an import. I haven't decided which one yet but am leaning towards the lower cost unit - given no obvious difference. One open question is how you size the scales. Is it table length, width or table travel. I saw somewhere that it was table travel plus 140 mm (I think).

Any advice on scale sizing?
 
It depends on the seller's interpretation from the manufacturer. It took me a while to get it through my sellers head that I didn't care about OAL, just travel length. He kept wanting to add the 140mm on top of what I asked for. He finally gave up and gave me what I asked for.
 
Here's another fairly recently added option:
http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=5515&category= (scale specs can be seen here)
This system was designed to work with Yuriy's Toys Touch DRO system.
I believe Yuriy's controller will work better with these scales and as such, have ordered his quadrature controller (http://www.yuriystoys.com/p/store.html).
I didn't order the complete kit, just the scales and readheads (sold separately):
Here http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=5499&category= and here http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=5498&category=
The cost saving on the components more than pay for the pre-built controller from Yuriy's site or you can make your own for additional savings.
Touch DRO is an App based DRO display, for those who don't know, that requires an Android tablet.
As an 'Open Source' system, it is continually being updated, refined, and added to by an entire community of people that are available online for help/assistance if needed.
The advantages to this type DRO as I see them are:
1. Flexibility, can have 2 or 3 axes. A forth axis (labeled "W") on the system can be used (usually, for a tachometer, but has other uses).
2.Memory, only limited by the amount on your tablet, expandable via micro SD cards. This also allows for having back-up copies.
3.Instant updates via the internet.
4.Versatility. Since the controllers connect to your tablet via Blue Tooth, you can connect multiple machines.
I plan on doing a pictorial post of the install an operation once the components get here and I have time to install them.
 
JPigg55 said:
Here's another fairly recently added option:
http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=5515&category= (scale specs can be seen here)
This system was designed to work with Yuriy's Toys Touch DRO system.
I believe Yuriy's controller will work better with these scales and as such, have ordered his quadrature controller (http://www.yuriystoys.com/p/store.html).
I didn't order the complete kit, just the scales and readheads (sold separately):
Here http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=5499&category= and here http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=5498&category=
The cost saving on the components more than pay for the pre-built controller from Yuriy's site or you can make your own for additional savings.
Touch DRO is an App based DRO display, for those who don't know, that requires an Android tablet.
As an 'Open Source' system, it is continually being updated, refined, and added to by an entire community of people that are available online for help/assistance if needed.
The advantages to this type DRO as I see them are:
1. Flexibility, can have 2 or 3 axes. A forth axis (labeled "W") on the system can be used (usually, for a tachometer, but has other uses).
2.Memory, only limited by the amount on your tablet, expandable via micro SD cards. This also allows for having back-up copies.
3.Instant updates via the internet.
4.Versatility. Since the controllers connect to your tablet via Blue Tooth, you can connect multiple machines.
I plan on doing a pictorial post of the install an operation once the components get here and I have time to install them.
Click to expand...
That is great JPigg55, but it still costs double what an Aliexpress kit with glass scales costs, and only advertises .002" accuracy, though it may actually be better. It also still takes some user effort to get it all working with the Android tablet. I am a big supporter of Yuriy and his work, and of the universality of his designs. The issues are still pricing totals, expected accuracy, and plug and play in my mind...
 
Bob Korves said:
That is great JPigg55, but it still costs double what an Aliexpress kit with glass scales costs, and only advertises .002" accuracy, though it may actually be better. It also still takes some user effort to get it all working with the Android tablet. I am a big supporter of Yuriy and his work, and of the universality of his designs. The issues are still pricing totals, expected accuracy, and plug and play in my mind...
Click to expand...
I totally agree with you Bob.
For me, however, this was a better option as scale size and length are issues for me. Magnetic scales are much smaller and way easier to cut to length.
Had I been able to find glass scales that were the correct length for my machines, I may have gone that way as it is much cheaper with an increase in accuracy.
I just wanted to post another option for those like me where glass scales may not be an option.
I also like the fact that I can easily replace any component that may go bad instead of having to buy a whole new system a year from now because one thing broke and replacement parts are no longer available.
 
I've been pondering this while takingadvantage of good weather to get some yard projects done. I've decided I am getting a DRO and likely one of the lower cost models we have been discussing. I'm still struggling with scale sizing. According to the Bridgeport manual my mchine, with a power feed, has 16-1/2" of X axis travel, 12" of Y axis and 16" ofZ axis. I need to verify those numbers but assuming they are correct what would the scale lengths be. It seems most suppliers use a formula relating to travel + 140 mm. So do I just measure the travel, add 140 mm and order that scale overall length?

Thanks
Rick
 
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