Z Axis DRO on Bolton BT-800

[aPpYe]

Hello, I am curious to see some pictures or hear some advice on how to mount an igaging DRO to the Z axis on my Bolton BT-800 3 in 1 machine. This machine is identical to the Grizzly G9729, among others. I am guessing I am going to have to drill into the spindle or something? There is this plastic cover for the lower bearing, and I can mount to that I guess. I am not excited about the options I have thought about so far. I figured I would check with you all here before diving in. Thanks for your time!

EDIT: Added some pictures. I am thinking of bolting down the sensor block on the machine itself and one end of the bar to a metal (brass or steel?) version of that black plastic dust cover with the grub screw in it. I would leave the other end of the bar free to move. I figure I can make the OD of the metal dust cover oversized and then mill a flat ...

 

[bill70j]

Hello, I am curious to see some pictures or hear some advice on how to mount an igaging DRO to the Z axis on my Bolton BT-800 3 in 1 machine. This machine is identical to the Grizzly G9729, among others. I am guessing I am going to have to drill into the spindle or something? There is this plastic cover for the lower bearing, and I can mount to that I guess. I am not excited about the options I have thought about so far. I figured I would check with you all here before diving in. Thanks for your time!

EDIT: Added some pictures. I am thinking of bolting down the sensor block on the machine itself and one end of the bar to a metal (brass or steel?) version of that black plastic dust cover with the grub screw in it. I would leave the other end of the bar free to move. I figure I can make the OD of the metal dust cover oversized and then mill a flat ...

Just saw your post. If you are still looking for ideas, I am including a photo of the Igaging DRO on my Smithy 3-in-1 mill. Maybe you could fashion a collar that could fit over your plastic bearing cover.

In this set-up the DRO scale is attached to a bracket affixed to the collar on the quill -- and the read head is mounted to a plate with standoff's off the mill head. There is also a quill stop attached to the front of the mill head.

 

[wa5cab]

Minor point, but it's all a part of the learning curve. Generally, the rotating part that turns either the work or the cutter is called a spindle on a lathe but is usually called a quill on a vertical mill or drill press. The non-rotating part which is extendable on some vertical mills and the somewhat similar part in a lathe tailstock is usually called s ram.