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Lathe DRO retrofit - single axis vs dual?

Did some more looking and it turns out there is a perfect channel cast into the underside of the taper tang for the milling of a slot into which I can mount a magnetic tape. Only needs to be a little over 3/8" and I've got 5/8" to work with. Just enough room inside the taper attachment itself to install a miniature read head too. Neat, rigid, discreet. I like it.

It's actually looking like the 'Z' might pose a bigger challenge having discovered how simply the 'X' can be done. The back side of the bed is a rough casting so I'm probably going to want to figure out some sort of rigid fixture for drilling, tapping and counter-boring the bed so some bushings can sit nice and square. Don't want any twist in the scale...
Or just compound some adjustable brackets to get it located.
 
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Kretz, I definitely agree on the crossfeed math capabilities! Unfortunately I am still running the earlier Mitutoyos on both Lodge and Shipley's and who knows when I'll ever gets those updated! Haa
I believe there are still (2) new Mitutoyo systems still left in inventory as a result of a major Industrial park power surge issue several years back; maybe I'll give the big L/S an early Christmas this fall!! :cheers:
 
Did some more looking and it turns out there is a perfect channel cast into the underside of the taper tang for the milling of a slot into which I can mount a magnetic tape. Only needs to be a little over 3/8" and I've got 5/8" to work with. Just enough room inside the taper attachment itself to install a miniature read head too. Neat, rigid, discreet. I like it.

It's actually looking like the 'Z' might pose a bigger challenge having discovered how simply the 'X' can be done. The back side of the bed is a rough casting so I'm probably going to want to figure out some sort of rigid fixture for drilling, tapping and counter-boring the bed so some bushings can sit nice and square. Don't want any twist in the scale...
Or just compound some adjustable brackets to get it located.
Using a counter-bore cutter to put a flat for a stand-off would be a good solution. The Acu-rite scales I've used also come with a couple set screws straddling the mounting holes so you can level them to an irregular surface.
 
Yeah I set actual diameter too. And I set the cross feed dial to actual diameter, so for .250/rev dial 3/4" diameter is 0.

I guess I communicated poorly. It seems much easier for me to quickly hit a number on the dial than on the dro. It's boom on the dial but slow on the dro. Probably just me.

Hey, use whatever works for you. I learned the lesson long ago in supervision that some guys aren't good at or comfortable with changing the way they've learned/adapted to do things over a long period of time. If they can still work at a reasonable pace I don't have any problem with that. What's faster for one guy may not be for another.

I've been using readouts so long now they are like an extension of my mind, heh. I usually start out taking a cut that's an easy even number when roughing, so, say .250" per pass on the DRO (⅛" per side). I set that up so the first cut or two if necessary take(s) a little extra to get me to an even ¼ of an inch. From there mental calculations for successive cuts while roughing are easy. On a larger lathe that number might be an even 1.000" on the readouts, on a smaller one or a particularly flimsy part or setup it might be .125" or even less - I just adapt it to the situation.
 
eKretz, in post 11 your photo shows 5 decimal places on the readout. Wow, 0.00001 res.

Yes, it's a very nice readout and scale setup. Sony is probably my favorite DRO. However, not quite that nice... :D Resolution on the X scale is .00005" (.0001" on diameter) - Z scale is .00002". I got the scales for a good price from a guy I know that installs readouts. He replaces older Sony stuff with updated systems periodically, and keeps, checks and resells the Sony stuff that's still in good shape.
 
I was really glad to see this thread, I have a Victor 16x40 and have been debatiing for a long time about a DRO. Thanks too all the coments they where really helpful. My last question is what brand and type of scale. Most of the work I do is making 1 off parts, repairs and just farting around with my own projects. I don't need a Ferrari but in the same vein no Etzel. Has anyone installed a DRO on a Victor. Please give me your thoughts.
 
Doug, I think you will have to look at the long term expectations of a system that you install. I have never run any digital systems other than Accurite, Anilam, and Mitutoyo during my career, and always had a great experience with their Tech support specialist when a need occurred. Many of the Mitutoyo systems came second hand just as ekretz mentioned regarding his Sony. A machine Tech had checked out these systems and was able to vouch for the expected service life left in the units. If you chose to pursue the unnamed imports, you will need to do a little research to verify the integrity of their product and what support you will have if a need arises with installation or long term usage. Good luck with your pursuit!
Johnny
 








 
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