This thread is about how to fit a budget readout to a Warco or similar milling machine. I have never really bothered about fitting a readout to a lathe but I consider a readout on the mill is essential.

While the X axis mounting is fairly standard, the Y axis uses a technique I have not seen before. (It took me a couple of weeks to think of the best way to fit the Y axis.) The method will be useful for any mill with an angular tapered base.

The Warco budget readout console shown above.is battery powered and has readouts for the X and Y scales of the matching digital slides.

You are welcome to copy the photos and drawings for personal use only.

Comments are welcome as are questions. No question is stupid if you don't know the answer.

Edited By David Clark 1 on 16/11/2015 10:55:44

The readout scales used were from Warco. Although fairly low cost I did not use the budget ones.

The scale above is the Y axis one, the X axis is the same but longer. Both scales and the readout console will have new batteries fitted. I purchased these from Ebay at about £6 for 10 batteries, genuine Duracell ones. The X scale will have a 90 degree miniature USB connector fitted so the lead does not interfere with the machine base, I used a left-hand adaptor but right-hand ones are also available. The Y axis probably won't need a right-angled adaptor.

The milling machine above is a Warco WM14. Note the angled sides to the base casting.

The stops and table lock have been removed ready to fit the readout. The stops will not be refitted but the table lock (not sure if one or both yet) will be replaced by a long Allen screw. The Y axis table locks are at the right-hand end and will remain in place as the readout scale will be fitted to the left-hand side of the machine.

Hi Mechman48

I am mounting mine in a similar place but square (90 degrees) to the table.

Edited By David Clark 1 on 18/11/2015 20:37:41