Mill DRO: Digital Caliper Type or ???

[Phil3]

What are people's experiences and suggestions regarding mill DROs, that use digital calipers? These setups can be less than half the price of the $750+ glass rod setups available at places like Little Machine Shop. Accuracy to +/- .001" may be fine and if the caliper set up can do that, what I am losing? I understand the calipers can be vulnerable to chips, but what else? Repeatability? ??

- Phil

 

[Phil3]

Ed,

I am pretty sure it is 12" X axis and 5" Y axis. Looking to get DRO capability on quill as well, but not imperative.

- Phil

 

[Phil3]

I would only need the 6" and 12", the 24" being far too big for my mill. I have no idea how these things hook up, hardware needed, etc., but would be interested if this kind of setup works well (my original question), and could get the 6" and 12". Understandable if you wish to sell all three at once.

- Phil

 

[Phil3]

The mill is a Rotex. I expect most people reading this may be thinking, "What is a Rotex"? It is a horizontal knee mill, but mine has the optional vertical head w/own motor (2 motors).

Mine has a riser to provide additional spindle to table clearance.

More on the machine is here.

http://www.lathes.co.uk/rotex/

I don't know what kind of accuracy is a reasonable expectation for the mill. It has some wear, but ALL flaking is plainly visible. I don't anticipate doing super precision work (but who knows), but if it was +/- .001" I would be happy.

- Phil

What kind of mill, and what are you expecting from it for accuracy?

 

[Phil3]

Ed, I am not yet decided on what I want for a DRO at this time, so do not wait on me to sell what you have. Also, I have more to learn on this new mill before I make the leap to a DRO.

Thanks.

- Phil

Phil,

I'm not looking to sell all three at the same time (although it would be nice). If you want one, I'll sell/barter you one.

Ed

 

[lens42]

I just did a DRO install on my lathe. I seriously considered Chinese scales, but after spending a lot of time figuring how I would mount them to be visible but out of the path of chips and various machine parts, I decided I wanted something a bit better if I was going to devote a lot of installation time. I got a DRO from these guys: thedrostore.com (2 axis for $400). It's clearly some Chinese import, but it seems to be well put together. The only reason you might still opt for Chinese caliper-type scales over the larger ones is that they probably will take up less space if you have tight clearance. Attached are some shots of my install. Had to make a LOT of brackets. Thedrostore kits come with brackets. They just didn't work for my small lathe.

 

[Jack]

If you're just needing a Cheap DRO setup, the calipers from H.F. will do nicely. A couple of tapped holes for brackets in the machine could be placed correctly for the permanent setup wth a little research. The manufacturers web sites should provide you with mounting info. If not on the site, contact them. I can't say for sure, but for good buisness they should help out. A couple of holes in the calipers shouldn't hurt them. As for brackets, check out some of the mini-lathe sites. The Taig tools one, Nick Carters, JR Bentley, and Jose Rodrigues have a wealth of info for the smaller machines that don't come with all the frills. Good luck, and many chips!uch:

 

[denny98501]

If you're just needing a Cheap DRO setup, the calipers from H.F. will do nicely. A couple of tapped holes for brackets in the machine could be placed correctly for the permanent setup wth a little research. The manufacturers web sites should provide you with mounting info. If not on the site, contact them. I can't say for sure, but for good buisness they should help out. A couple of holes in the calipers shouldn't hurt them. As for brackets, check out some of the mini-lathe sites. The Taig tools one, Nick Carters, JR Bentley, and Jose Rodrigues have a wealth of info for the smaller machines that don't come with all the frills. Good luck, and many chips!uch:

Attached are pictures of the I-gage readouts from Grizzly.
The cost for all three was about $100 and it took about an hour to make the brackets, drill and tap the holes and install the units.
I mostly use this old mill for drilling and tapping and the the I-gage readouts are really nice to have for layout.
The readouts have a magnetic back and often, I pull the readout off the mill and hold it in my hand when doing fussy work.
The Z axis readout aids tapping blind holes with a Procunier reversing tapping attachment very simple.
I also have a laser pointer that goes in the chuck and finding centers and hole layout is really fast.
The I-gage DROs keeps with my philosophy that the DRO should not be worth more than the mill.

 

[scleaf]

Nice work, I saw this done on other machines when looking at a mill to purchase. It is a great way to get economical scales on the mill.

Thanks for sharing,
-Vince