DRO questions

[bill stupak]

One solution to the missing compound swivel scale problem on a T-slot cross slide that I think would work on a 12" would be to acquire the original cross slide and compound swivel and slide from a 10". Machine off most of the dovetail from the bottom of the cross slide, leaving some at the zero and 180 degree areas to drop down into the mounting T-slot and prevent rotation of the scale and pintle. The 10" compound slide is an inch lower than the 12".

Stu

 

[wa5cab]

Yes, that's sorta what I had in mind. Although this version doesn't seem to have a bar for the T-slot left underneath. Looks like it has 6 holes of an 8-hole pattern for mounting.

 

[bill stupak]

Yes, that's sorta what I had in mind. Although this version doesn't seem to have a bar for the T-slot left underneath. Looks like it has 6 holes of an 8-hole pattern for mounting.

Yes, I have the cross slide tapped for the piece, I wanted to spread the clamping force and not have just one bolt and because of that I didn't think I would need the bar in the slot. I generally have a solid block installed instead of the compound to increase rigidity and only rarely use the compound.

Stu

 

[wa5cab]

Bill,

I'm not certain whose lathe is whose in all of the photos up the thread. What lathe do you have? When you do have the compound mounted on the T-slot cross slide, what is the height of the top of the compound above the ways? I have one of the Atlas double tool cross slides which without the two tool posts is a variety of T-slot cross slide. Bit it is taller than the standard cross slide.

 

[bill stupak]

Bill,

I'm not certain whose lathe is whose in all of the photos up the thread. What lathe do you have? When you do have the compound mounted on the T-slot cross slide, what is the height of the top of the compound above the ways? I have one of the Atlas double tool cross slides which without the two tool posts is a variety of T-slot cross slide. Bit it is taller than the standard cross slide.

My lathe is a 12" model and the standard compound sits 2-5/8" above the cross slide. I use a Tripan tool post with the solid block which sits 2-3/16" above. In order to keep the heights relatively the same I made a new top slide for the compound which is 2-1/4" above. The solid block is bolted to the cross slide with 4 tapped holes. I sometimes use the compound for single point threading.

 

[bbutcher]

My eyes are really feeling the strain of reading the tiny dials, so being the electronic gadget guy I am I thought I would add a DRO to the cross slide. Mounting it looks challenging. I haven't seen any pics using the A11 milling cross slide either. So questions:
1) Does the backside of the DRO bar have to be mounted? I would have to really build a bracket way out to support it and still have full length use of the slide.
2) Any suggestions on brackets to attach to the saddle? The rounded curves may look nice but FLAT is easy to attach...
3) Is attaching the bar to the slide and the sensor to the saddle preferred?

Fully advanced

Attached are my concept sketches for mounting full size glass scales to the Atlas lathe. I am cutting parts right now and should have it operational in a few days. The X-axis slide (15 CM travel) is mounted protruding behind the lathe on a "T" shaped bar bolted to the existing 3/8-16 holes on the carriage to get it out of the way. I incorporated a dovetail slide to ensure parallel travel, and include a push bar to move the readout head. I am concerned about the power feed on the X-axis forcing the glass slide past safe limits, so I will likely incorporate physical stops in the dovetail slide and use some sort of shear pin to prevent damage. The Z-axis is easier.

Fully retracted