Here is a link to a coupla pix of my just-completed LMS5500 mill and DRO install.
http://www.avrdev.net/newmill/
This was quite an adventure! First I'd like to give a shout-out to the DRO vendor in the UK:
http://www.machine-dro.co.uk/ and a link to the actual package I got: http://bit.ly/2s7QrBh
It turns out I mis-cut my X-Axis scale by 2" (ARRGH!) - but Machine-DRO was very helpful and I was able to purchase a new AL mounting extrusion, mag scale and seal for only $20 with shipping. With the rather large table of the 5500 that missing 2" from one end wasn't really that big of a deal - but how could leave that blemish in place???
The DRO kit arrived in an amazingly short amount of time (coupla days!) Previously I had less-expensive glass scales on the LMS 3960. The magnetic's are a tad more expensive - but this company has a great low-is price. With such a nice mill - wanted step up a bit.
I think most DRO kits come with rather large brackets - AL castings - and they seem to be "Bridgeport/Big Mill" oriented. For the X2 and SX2.7 (and probably SX3) they are a bit large and I've come up with a very rigide and compact mounting system that doesn't take up much space. There are some pix of the install on the 5500 and a similar scheme I used on the 3960. There are a series of views of that install that gives a pretty good example of the idea: http://www.avrdev.net/mounting-scales-2/
This time I used 1/4" AL plates and 1/2" AL rod to make the stand-offs. I think this may be a tad overkill - but they sure are rock-solid!
For anybody considering to add a DRO to the 5500 - take note that removing the saddle is difficult as the Y-Nut is pinned to it! I had to drill mine out to get it off - and didn't bother putting any back - It seems pretty solid without them - but I know where to look if anything funky starts on the Y-axis... LOL!
http://www.avrdev.net/newmill/
This was quite an adventure! First I'd like to give a shout-out to the DRO vendor in the UK:
http://www.machine-dro.co.uk/ and a link to the actual package I got: http://bit.ly/2s7QrBh
It turns out I mis-cut my X-Axis scale by 2" (ARRGH!) - but Machine-DRO was very helpful and I was able to purchase a new AL mounting extrusion, mag scale and seal for only $20 with shipping. With the rather large table of the 5500 that missing 2" from one end wasn't really that big of a deal - but how could leave that blemish in place???
The DRO kit arrived in an amazingly short amount of time (coupla days!) Previously I had less-expensive glass scales on the LMS 3960. The magnetic's are a tad more expensive - but this company has a great low-is price. With such a nice mill - wanted step up a bit.
I think most DRO kits come with rather large brackets - AL castings - and they seem to be "Bridgeport/Big Mill" oriented. For the X2 and SX2.7 (and probably SX3) they are a bit large and I've come up with a very rigide and compact mounting system that doesn't take up much space. There are some pix of the install on the 5500 and a similar scheme I used on the 3960. There are a series of views of that install that gives a pretty good example of the idea: http://www.avrdev.net/mounting-scales-2/
This time I used 1/4" AL plates and 1/2" AL rod to make the stand-offs. I think this may be a tad overkill - but they sure are rock-solid!
For anybody considering to add a DRO to the 5500 - take note that removing the saddle is difficult as the Y-Nut is pinned to it! I had to drill mine out to get it off - and didn't bother putting any back - It seems pretty solid without them - but I know where to look if anything funky starts on the Y-axis... LOL!
