DRO- only one set

[Sam Longley 1Participant @samlongley1]

I may be able to stretch finances to just one set of 2 axis DRO at the Alexander Palace exhibition depending on generosity of father Xmas this year.

Do forumites find theirs more useful mounted on their lathe or on their mill.

I have Warco WM16 & a WM250V both 2 years old

I am currently building a traction engine & will build another when this is complete, as that is my field of interest.

If i get it for the mill I will get the 3 axis display but not the Z axis stuff at this stage due to cost & perhaps upgrade much later

[Sam Longley 1Participant @samlongley1]

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

I am also building a traction engine have found that a DRO on the mill is much more useful than on a lathe.

Also, the majority of the build for the TE has been done on the mill, not the lathe.

Paul.

[davebParticipant @daveb17630]

Definitely the mill! I fitted a 2 way to my mill, PCD, calculator and many other functions, it was very good indeed but I regretted not going for the 3 ways.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely no question, fit the DRO to the mill.

I've got a 2-axis DRO on my Bridgeport. Best accessory I ever bought. Apart from the basic DRO the two functions I use most are PCD and the ½ function. I don't miss the Z axis – on the few occasions I need accurate depth the dial on the knee is fine in conjunction with a micrometer.

I simply don't see the need for a DRO on the lathe. I don't miss one, and I think it would be in the way, unlike the Bridgeport where the installation isn't in the way and doesn't limit any of the travels.

If I was going to install another DRO I'd fit one to the horizontal mill next.

Andrew

[JonParticipant @jon]

3 axis for both lathe and mill quite useful, couldnt live without many years on.

Apart from basic functioning the most useful feature is the calculators.

If i was to retain a locked down toolpost never moved the tool offset would be 2nd favourite – trouble is each tool would have to be numbered and entered for each install.

[Gary WoodingParticipant @garywooding25363]

I initially ordered 2-axis for my mill but yielded to advice from other, more experienced friends, and ordered 3-axis instead. They were right – I've never regretted paying the extra for the 3rd axis. I've also got DRO on the lathe; it's nice, but nowhere near as important as on the mill.

The 1/2 facility is super useful on the mill.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I did what you are proposing, bought a 3-axis display but just scales for X+Y, after about 6 months added the X -axis scale as the one on my mill is not the most accurate and it also opens up other functions on the console. I now hardly ever mark out, just locate the edge/ctr of the work and let the DRO place holes and edges far more accurately than the old ways

Like Andrew I don't have on on the lathe and don't really miss one, I would rather be able to get the tailstock closer to the carage and have access to gibs and carage lock which would all be issues if I fitted a scale.

[Brian RutherfordParticipant @brianrutherford79058]

I bought a 2 axis kit from china when i bought my lathe last February. I thought it would be easier to fit before the lathe was installed. While its a great bit of kit I would consider it a nice to have rather than essential. Bought the mill last October and can't wait till funds allow a 3 axis set, it will make a massive difference. I had even thought of taking the one off the lathe f or the time being.. when i do get one it will be from china

[SamsarandaParticipant @samsaranda]

Fitted a 2 axis DRO to my Champion 20V mill, already fitted with readout on the Z axis, made life so much easier, should have had it fitted from new. Although not essential on a lathe it would make life a lot easier, intend to fit one on the lathe when I find one which will not seriously impair the movement of the carriage, needs to be small sizes.

Dave W

[Nigel Taylor 2Participant @nigeltaylor2]

I bought a Warco lathe which came with a 2-axis DRO fitted. I added 2 extra scales onto my mill and made a switch box to allow lathe or mill to be connected to readout.

 

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

I will add my vote to the very definite trend for mill first.

Mike

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Andrew Johnston on 19/12/2017 22:46:54:

…

I simply don't see the need for a DRO on the lathe.

…

Andrew

Most of the time that's true, but it does depend on the operator. I doubt I'm the only one who makes silly mistakes!

Normally I use a digital caliper to calculate how much metal needs removing and use the dials to get with 0.4mm of target. Then I remeasure before finishing off carefully with the dial.

Usually that works perfectly, but every so often I lose count roughing out and over-shoot. Very frustrating to find I've removed exactly a mm too much, let alone two!

The other advantage of a DRO for me would be screwcutting, where it would speed up re-setting and eliminate backlash mistakes.

That said, most of the time I manage perfectly well with dials, digital caliper and a micrometer. While a DRO on my lathe would make life easier, I have better things to spend my money on.

Dave

[Nick HulmeParticipant @nickhulme30114]

Mill first, then lathe with the caveat that unless your lathe use involves a significant number of jobs where multiple tools on dedicated QCTP holders are used to create multiple features with different lengths and diameters you will probably not see the benefit.

If your close-up eyesight isn't great then a large illuminated display at a comfortable head height is very nice to have.

Edited By Nick Hulme on 20/12/2017 11:27:05

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

+1 for the Mill dro's first, as for the lathe, I bought two digi tyre depth gauges off e bay for approx £3 ea. fitted them with neodymium magnets, use one for the saddle & one for the cross slide, as needed… sorted.

​George.

[Tony Pratt 1Participant @tonypratt1]

Mill first, whole life in mechanical engineering & never felt the need for a lathe DRO.

Tony

[I.M. OUTAHEREParticipant @i-m-outahere]

Just don't buy a set of those really cheap crap dro units that have no features like pcd , pre sets and the like , get the multi function type display and decent scales – plenty of different brands like sino and m-tech etc are available but essentially they are basically the same layout on the dro unit .

The mill would be first up for a fitting and the z axis can wait until funds are available , once you start using them you will wonder how you did without them !

One thing they do is take backlash out of the equation wich really helps finding the centre of something and no more counting turns of the feed handle !

[Sam Longley 1Participant @samlongley1]

Posted by XD 351 on 20/12/2017 12:58:31:

Just don't buy a set of those really cheap crap dro units that have no features like pcd , pre sets and the like , get the multi function type display and decent scales – plenty of different brands like sino and m-tech etc are available but essentially they are basically the same layout on the dro unit .

The version I have in mind is the one made by EMS International – EM 200.It was them that suggested a 3 axis display for an extra £20-00 so I could get the add on Z axis gear at a later date. I visited the stand in the Midlands exhibition & they were very keen to demonstrate & enthusiastic & sent me away with an instruction book to study. It gave me confidence in the supplier

Has anyone else bought from them & do they have an opinion to share?

Edited By Sam Longley 1 on 20/12/2017 13:34:56

[JonParticipant @jon]

Sam i have a mate that fitted the Indian ones, theyre alright.

[Sam Longley 1Participant @samlongley1]

Indian ones??

[JonParticipant @jon]

Didnt think they were made in England did you.

http://www.ems-i.co.uk/about.html
https://www.indiamart.com/electronicamechatronic-systems/

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