Precision Matthews PM-833TV is here!!

I considered the DRO the most important feature when I bought mine, on a mill...

I'll probably wind up with one someday, however, I'm not really looking forward to installing it with the drilling right next to the ways on the Z-axis so we'll see when/if that happens.
 
I would find the mill about useless without a DRO. Being able to design my parts in CAD then precisely drill, tap and mill things is the reason I replaced the drill press with a mill. The DRO is a poor man's CNC. I know you get this because you have a 3D printer.

Regarding the Z axis scale (and X and Y) re-think with the scale mounted on aluminum flat bar, than that mounted to the mill. This lets you place the mill mounting holes where you want and avoid the uneven surface of the castings twisting/warping the scale. There's plenty of room on Z while avoiding the way areas.
 
The Priest Tools quill stop arrived and I got it installed. He has to send me a longer threaded rod though as the one he sent is 2” too short.

Until next year anyway this is how it will remain unless PM has a fantastic sale on their magnetic DRO kits as I can’t use it much over the winter as we have a small herd of cats that live in the shop now over the winter (strays that showed up and had kittens 3 years ago).

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This showed up today too and is awesome compared to a chop saw.
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The squatters I mentioned.
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That set is way overkill imo. I don't use tap collets for anything under 1/4 inch. I'm more likely to break those small taps with a mill so I hand tap the small stuff with a clutched cordless drill.

I do have ER32 tap collets for 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8 the most common holes I tap. Tap collets because they slip in regular collets. I'll only buy bigger tap collets or metric IF the need arises some day.
 
I wound up finding a new Easson ES-12B DRO w/ 3 glass scales for $445 shipped so I'm going to give it a try.
 
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