DRO for a ML7

[martin107Participant @martin107]

Is it worth fitting a DRO to a ML7 the one I have been looking at is the Allendale/M-Dro one at £440 or would it be more cost effective to sell it and buy a new one with dro fitted some thing like a WM 180 with DRO fitted for £1095.

Thanks for any input

Martin

[martin107Participant @martin107]

[Chris TriceParticipant @christrice43267]

Depends what condition your ML7 is in. You can always take the DRO off again and fit it to another lathe if you upgrade.

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

Having had a DRO on a lathe for 25 or more years there is no doubt, it is a must have for me.

I have never used a Myford but seem to remember seeing an advert for a DRO kit that did not require any drilling of the machine to fit.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Just looked at the pic on warco. Are you comparing like with like re dro? Pic insert shows a 3 axis panel but specs state 2 axis.

Are you going to be milling with a lathe attachment? Def needs checking out, if you are!

£440 seems high for a 2 axis system similar to whatt they are fitting for £250.

What condition is your lathe – might be better than a new one in a few years time.

Only you know whether it is cost effective, but somehow I doubt it. Or it might appear cost effective, but would you be getting a sensible improvement – short term or long?

If you just want forum confirmation to justify a shiny new chistmas present, you'll not get it from me!

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

I have recently suffered a display failure on both my lathe and mill both fixed with second hand parts (they are both around 30 years old) I would have bought new complete Chinese kit for sub £200 if the second hand parts could not have been found. £440 is way over the top, most likely Chinese origin just nice to have UK back up but not £240 extra nice.

[JonParticipant @jon]

Dont assume for 1 sec because its sold by a British dealer its English, we dont make anything any more.

The cheapies are still from asia 2 axis readout from £170, 2 Sino scales from £220 + delivery.
OP's £440 is magnetic = bargain but still limited. Each scale will be from £150! and ready to fit.
New kids on the block are those from India, even cheaper.

Recall seeing a ready to fit dro for an ML7 18 yrs ago at Donnington – ludicrous everything shown was well in the way and unsafe to use machine, even the scales protruding several inches past hand wheel stuck up way too much and limited X travel as well.

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