Where to buy scales?

D

DaveInConesus

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I picked up a "used" Enco gear head mill a couple hours ago. It has never been off the shipping pallet so it is essentially new. Bought by a company and never put into service. Model number is 405-0593 and MSC still sells them. I want to put a DRO on it when I set it up instead of messing around with it in the future. I am a retired software guy that started out in component level hardware repair so soldering is not a big deal and setting up software is usually not a challenge either so Touch DRO looks like a great option.

The mill has a 800mmx240mm table with 560x190 travel. Quill travel is 120mm. I don't think I need a DRO on the actual head travel but am open to suggestions. I have never owned a vertical mill.

Looking at scales on Amazon and Ebay it almost seems cheaper to buy a complete DRO kit including scales and then throw the DRO part away.

Suggestions on where and what to purchase that will work with TouchDRO? This is home hobby use so 1 micron is not a requirement.

Dave
 
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You could try AliExpress. Many times (but not always!) they are cheaper to get stuff from. Of course, everything is from China, but most of what we buy these days is made there. I bought some 1um glass scales from AE. They work fine.
The link above ought to get you in the ball park. Be careful before you buy, whether you are getting 5um or 1um scales. The 5um scales are cheaper. And, of course you are accepting some risk with AliExpress, since it is tough to do returns. When the cost risk ratio is worth it, I do buy from them. Shipping can take a while, between a week on the quick end and a month on the long end. Overall, I have done well by them.

If you want someone local - then it is likely that their prices will be marked up a lot.
 
That is what I found as well. I ended up getting glass scale DRO setups from ebay. I just went with the import DRO display, but that's not the fault of TouchDRO. I figured if I hated the imports, I'd just get an adapter board from TouchDRO and rummage around for an older Android tablet. So far, I don't mind the import setups. If they break or something, I'll probably try switching as I do like the look of the program.
 
Since I embedded the display into my lathe's electronic lead screw (ELS) display, I had no need for another display unit. So I just bought the scales only. As soon as I received my scales, I tested them using my ELS controller. They all worked so I did save some cash buying from AliExpress. eBay is pretty good at times, but with all of these kinds of places, it is worth shopping around.
 
WobblyHand said:
You could try AliExpress. Many times (but not always!) they are cheaper to get stuff from. Of course, everything is from China, but most of what we buy these days is made there. I bought some 1um glass scales from AE. They work fine.
The link above ought to get you in the ball park. Be careful before you buy, whether you are getting 5um or 1um scales. The 5um scales are cheaper. And, of course you are accepting some risk with AliExpress, since it is tough to do returns. When the cost risk ratio is worth it, I do buy from them. Shipping can take a while, between a week on the quick end and a month on the long end. Overall, I have done well by them.

If you want someone local - then it is likely that their prices will be marked up a lot.
Click to expand...
I have never bought from Aliexpress although I guess it works for a lot of people. I may take the risk this time.
 
DaveInConesus said:
I have never bought from Aliexpress although I guess it works for a lot of people. I may take the risk this time.
Click to expand...
If you don't feel comfortable buying from there, don't do it. If you are feeling lucky, or at least a little adventurous, and willing to risk a try, then go for it. Can't say everything has been perfect every time, but I have saved quite a bit by doing this.

That said, the most I have ever spent at any one AliExpress vendor is around $160 and that was for the scales. I do not have a direct account with them. I log in via google, so I don't directly give AliExpress payment information.
 
ttabbal said:
That is what I found as well. I ended up getting glass scale DRO setups from ebay. I just went with the import DRO display, but that's not the fault of TouchDRO. I figured if I hated the imports, I'd just get an adapter board from TouchDRO and rummage around for an older Android tablet. So far, I don't mind the import setups. If they break or something, I'll probably try switching as I do like the look of the program.
Click to expand...
DRO Pros sells scales as well as systems and are US based & veteran owned. While I haven’t dealt with them myself, from everything I’ve read and seen they are good to work with.
 
I purchased magnetic scales, tape and glass scales from Ditron on Aliexpress three separate times. Delivered within a week each time. Great communication with them. Will provide custom length cables on the read heads at minimal or no charge. I have been using the scales with TouchDRO for over three years now. No issues at all.
 
ChazzC said:
DRO Pros sells scales as well as systems and are US based & veteran owned. While I haven’t dealt with them myself, from everything I’ve read and seen they are good to work with.
Click to expand...
I tried to shop there a couple weeks ago to figure out what I would need if I found a mill. Their website is horrible. It explains everything about magnetic scales and lists all of the ones that they carry but I can't find anywhere on the site to get pricing or order just scales. I did find pricing on full kits but again no way to order.

Dave
 
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