Installing a DRO on a PM1127VF-LB

[ttabbal]

So I have a DRO setup I would like to install. I was wondering if anyone else has done it and if they would be willing to post some pictures of their setup. Particularly the cross slide scale.

The long scale is easy enough, though I'll need to make some bushings to space it out a little due to the rectangular mounting area that looks like it's for a mill attachment. Maybe 1/4" would do fine. I could probably wander the fastener section at one of the big box stores and find something that would work.

The cross slide has the gib adjustment, cross slide lock, and carriage lock on the tailstock side of the cross slide. I could hang it off toward the tailstock a little and be able to access those. I would lose about 1" of travel for the tailstock, but I think it would be ok. The headstock side puts the scale in the swarf, oil, etc.. And would block the mounting bolts for the follow rest. I could work around the mount bolts, but I would prefer to avoid putting the scale right in the mess. Even with a guard.

I've seen designs that hang the scale off the back of the lathe. Mine is a bit long for that and it hits the backsplash, though I could trim it down and likely have enough travel. These are glass scales, which I know people have cut successfully, but I think I'd rather not.

 

[MSD0]

Here are a couple of pictures of my 1127. I purchased the lathe with the DRO (installed by Precision Mathews). I haven’t found a solution for the cross slide gib adjustment and have been removing the scale. I’m thinking about replacing the socket cap screws with hex head screws and using a wrench make adjustments.

 

[ttabbal]

Here are a couple of pictures of my 1127. I purchased the lathe with the DRO (installed by Precision Mathews). I haven’t found a solution for the cross slide gib adjustment and have been removing the scale. I’m thinking about replacing the socket cap screws with hex head screws and using a wrench to make adjustments.

Thanks for the pictures! That looks a lot like how I have been considering mounting the scale on that side. I suspect hex bolts would work for you. The other thing is one of the bolts on the top of the saddle is a carriage lock, and it's right under your scale. Not that it's a commonly used thing, but it would be nice to keep it available.

I'm considering hanging it off the back about half way. I would need to make some brackets and perhaps a mounting plate, but those wouldn't be too hard. And it would enable access to those, if only when the cross slide is close to the front of the machine.

 

[MSD0]

Thanks for the pictures! That looks a lot like how I have been considering mounting the scale on that side. I suspect hex bolts would work for you. The other thing is one of the bolts on the top of the saddle is a carriage lock, and it's right under your scale. Not that it's a commonly used thing, but it would be nice to keep it available.

I'm considering hanging it off the back about half way. I would need to make some brackets and perhaps a mounting plate, but those wouldn't be too hard. And it would enable access to those, if only when the cross slide is close to the front of the machine.

Other than the gib adjustment, it hasn’t been a problem. I’ve thought about adding spacers, but then there’s the risk of hitting the scale with the tail stock. The carriage lock is still accessible once the cross slide is moved back. I’m also going to try using set screws for the gibs. I think there might be enough clearance for a stubby hex wrench.

 

[xnaron]

Thanks for the pictures @MSD0. Did you ever try set screws or hex head bolts for the gibs?

@ttabbal how did your DRO mount go? Did you install it the same way?

 

[ttabbal]

I went with the scale hanging off the back of the carriage. I had to move the back splash back a little, but it's working well for me. I don't have any pictures on my phone, but this video does a similar setup.