Favorite DRO for lathe

[WillyTP]

Thanks for the tip, when I’m off work again I’ll definitely look into that one

 

[hoz53]

I tried cleaning and checked everything for tightness. It’s missing on slow small movements, it seems spot on with rapid larger movements.

those glass scales are pretty cheap - ebay-

 

[INTJ]

those glass scales are pretty cheap - ebay-

My glass scales from TPAC Tools survived having a milling machine on a stand fall over and roll on them......

 

[hoz53]

My glass scales form TPAC Tools survived having a milling machine on a stand fall over and roll on them......

yeah i installed 5 of them so far and they do seem pretty tough and they are cheap enough that it wouldnt be a big deal to replace them.

 

[VA_XTC_Shooter]

I've been debating on adding a DRO to my old Clausing. Mounting a scale on the Z axis is easy, but the cross slide, I don't see a good option with the way this lathe is.

 

[tobnpr]

DROs are one of those things that are far down on the list when you learned how to use dials efficiently.

IMO, depends entirely on how much wear there is on the cross and compound screws.
If you have machines with wear on the screws, dialing is only going to get you "close". Granted, there aren't many applications where direction needs to be reversed, but still remains that what you dial may not be a precise measurement of distance traveled. It's also much simpler to measure Z travel with a DRO than setting up a long-stem indicator. I see them as a convenience for new machines, but mandatory for older ones with measurable wear. Sure, I could've replaced the acme screws- but that would be similar cost (if not more) than installing scales.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I need a dro for my mill. I went from a fully equipped nice one to a step pulley with sentimental value with no options

 

[hoz53]

I've been debating on adding a DRO to my old Clausing. Mounting a scale on the Z axis is easy, but the cross slide, I don't see a good option with the way this lathe is.

keep looking and thinking about it and you will figure out a good way. i put mine on the opposite side of cross slide from chuck to keep it farther away from oil chips ect. and i took the cross slide off the lathe to make it easier to drill holes in it.