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DRO for my mill
- Thread starter Brento
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2019
- Messages
- 6,876
This is what I put on my mill. Specifically the YH800-3.
www.aliexpress.com
What I really like about it is the LCD display. It's menu driven so using the functions is pretty easy.
223.56US $ 8% OFF|Complete 3 Axis Dro Kit Set Big LCD Display Digital Readout Controller with 3pcs 5U Linear Scale Linear Optical Ruler 50 to 1000|Level Measuring Instruments| - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
www.aliexpress.com
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2016
- Messages
- 3,380
I recommend what Dave said.
I purchased my DRO from --->this Ali Express store<---. I had good luck with their service, even after they sent the wrong unit. The new LCD displays look really nice. Mine is the older green display and I don't really care for it. Rather hard to read in brighter light.
I purchased my DRO from --->this Ali Express store<---. I had good luck with their service, even after they sent the wrong unit. The new LCD displays look really nice. Mine is the older green display and I don't really care for it. Rather hard to read in brighter light.
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2018
- Messages
- 2,725
I have that DRO on my lathe and I'm very happy with it. Couple of things specifically about AliExpress.
1) Communicate with the seller exactly what you want. The language barrier is real so try to formulate your request in as few words as possible to avoid confusion.
2) Sellers are willing to modify this DRO package to suit your needs. You can specify length (up to 1000mm I think), slim or standard, 5um or 1um resolution. Slim scales and 1um resolution cost a little extra. For my lathe I paid for the 1um slim scale on the cross slide. (5um = 0.0002" resolution, 1um = 0.00004" resolution). If you do opt for the 1um so you can read single tenths, the DRO will show 5 decimal places and this cannot be turned off. A piece of electrical tape can be used to cover the 5th digit (see picture below). The slim DRO has a smaller cross section and might be a bit shorter on each end.
3) Shipping was fast, but the seller took 2 weeks to even deliver it to the courier. Tracking is a joke and will show your package on its way before it even leaves the factory. Just expect this. The package was very well protected with form fitting foam.
4) AliExpress protects the buyer preferentially, but using PayPal or a credit card which handles disputes well can protect you better. I trust buying from AliExpress.
5) Measure your scales before you buy. Fitting a DRO on a machine can be a non trivial task depending on your machine's size and layout. Make sure you know how much longer the scales are than the published travel distance and leave 1/2" on each end for overtravel. Making cardboard mockups can definitely help. Cable routing can also be an issue as the armored cables cannot bend sharply.
6) The description doesn't explicitly state it, but the DRO ships with a decent swing arm mount and a vinyl protective cover. You definitely should use it. I wish I had asked for a spare as well.
7) I bought mine from here. I think they are the original manufacturer. Other sellers have rebranded ones or act like distributers.
www.aliexpress.com
8) In general, there are a billion copycat AliExpress stores. They find a store that is doing well and try to copy the exact same format and products. Look for stores with the longest time on AliExpress, and the largest quantity of reviews, and largest count of store followers. Individual items also show how many times they have been sold which is handy to know, but they can get reset if the seller relists the item (even on the best stores). Do a quick check of the reviews to see if they are fake. AliExpress sells mainly to the US, Russia, and South America. It is pretty easy to find a product with fake reviews by looking at the US ones and identifying the poor English. Long reviews or reviews with pictures are a great sign of a legit store. Use your judgement and know you are protected from getting burned.
9) Inspect your item for defects, damage, and functionality before marking the item as received on AliExpress. This waives your protection I believe.
1) Communicate with the seller exactly what you want. The language barrier is real so try to formulate your request in as few words as possible to avoid confusion.
2) Sellers are willing to modify this DRO package to suit your needs. You can specify length (up to 1000mm I think), slim or standard, 5um or 1um resolution. Slim scales and 1um resolution cost a little extra. For my lathe I paid for the 1um slim scale on the cross slide. (5um = 0.0002" resolution, 1um = 0.00004" resolution). If you do opt for the 1um so you can read single tenths, the DRO will show 5 decimal places and this cannot be turned off. A piece of electrical tape can be used to cover the 5th digit (see picture below). The slim DRO has a smaller cross section and might be a bit shorter on each end.
3) Shipping was fast, but the seller took 2 weeks to even deliver it to the courier. Tracking is a joke and will show your package on its way before it even leaves the factory. Just expect this. The package was very well protected with form fitting foam.
4) AliExpress protects the buyer preferentially, but using PayPal or a credit card which handles disputes well can protect you better. I trust buying from AliExpress.
5) Measure your scales before you buy. Fitting a DRO on a machine can be a non trivial task depending on your machine's size and layout. Make sure you know how much longer the scales are than the published travel distance and leave 1/2" on each end for overtravel. Making cardboard mockups can definitely help. Cable routing can also be an issue as the armored cables cannot bend sharply.
6) The description doesn't explicitly state it, but the DRO ships with a decent swing arm mount and a vinyl protective cover. You definitely should use it. I wish I had asked for a spare as well.
7) I bought mine from here. I think they are the original manufacturer. Other sellers have rebranded ones or act like distributers.
80.46US $ 10% OFF|New 3 Axis Lcd Dro Set Digital Readout System Display And 3 Pcs 5u Linear Optical Ruler Dimension 50-1000 For Lathe Mill Machine - Level Measuring Instruments - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
www.aliexpress.com
8) In general, there are a billion copycat AliExpress stores. They find a store that is doing well and try to copy the exact same format and products. Look for stores with the longest time on AliExpress, and the largest quantity of reviews, and largest count of store followers. Individual items also show how many times they have been sold which is handy to know, but they can get reset if the seller relists the item (even on the best stores). Do a quick check of the reviews to see if they are fake. AliExpress sells mainly to the US, Russia, and South America. It is pretty easy to find a product with fake reviews by looking at the US ones and identifying the poor English. Long reviews or reviews with pictures are a great sign of a legit store. Use your judgement and know you are protected from getting burned.
9) Inspect your item for defects, damage, and functionality before marking the item as received on AliExpress. This waives your protection I believe.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2018
- Messages
- 5,922
Here's the one I put on my Heavy 10
www.aliexpress.com
157.18US $ 42% OFF|Lathe Dro 2 Axis Digital Readout Display With 2pcs 50-1000mm Linear Glass Scale Encoder Measuring Ruler Milling Machines - Level Measuring Instruments - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
www.aliexpress.com
@macardoso when you order it what happens you talk to the buyer on what you want?