Cheap DRO

[Steve355Participant @steve355]

Hi

I recently picked up a very cheap and probably not very cheerful Chinese DRO on AliExpress. I’m aware of its poor quality and limitations etc etc. However I have a little old Zyto lathe, and it has very small and poor scales on its axes – so I thought nothing ventured, nothing gained and it is do cheap that if it doesn’t work then I haven’t lost much. If it works I can make more accurate knobs and bushings etc than I currently do, which would be great.

The reviews and installation videos I’ve seen usually seem to have problems with the magnetic scale – not that it isn’t accurate (although it isn’t very) but jumping problems, thought to be caused by magnetic interference or magnetic damage to the scale.

So what I’m hoping to get here is any thoughts or advice.

1) It unexpectedly came with an adhesive-backed metallic strip alongside the expected magnetic scale. (See picture). No mention of this in the “instructions”. I wonder if this is to go beneath the scale to provide some kind of magnetic interference insulation?

2) For the Z axis I can see how to attach the sensor to the carriage using the far side gib grub screws. Obviously if I want to adjust the gibs I’d need to take it off, but not a big deal. I’d can 3d print a bracket (very easy but it might wobble) or make one out of aluminium (also easy). Pros and cons?

3) I’m not clear yet how I’ll attach it for the X axis. Let’s get one working for now.

 

 

[Wink HackmanParticipant @winkhackman25989]

I think the strip is stainless steel and designed to go on top of the magnetic scale to stop it collecting swarf.  The DRO I have came with aluminium U channel and rubber seals which hold the metal strip in place. I would make the mounting bracket from aluminium rather than plastic.

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