Fitting Warco Glass DRO System to WM14 Mill

[Jonathan MeadParticipant @jonathanmead91773]

I bought a WM14 mill at the recent Warco open day and took the opportunity to play with the display machine in the showroom that was fitted with the 'new' glass DRO system. The system seemed well made and so I ordered a 2 axis system to go with the new mill. Unfortunately the scales were out of stock for a while so I took the chance to get to know my new mill before summoning up the courage to drill holes in it to fit the DRO system. However once the scales arrived it was time to get on with it and get the job done.

The X axis was quite straightforward and fitted well onto the back of the table, but the Y axis caused a bit of head scratching but I got there in the end. The installation of the Y axis system was helped greatly by the fitting kit that comes with each scale that includes a flat and angled bracket nicely cast in aluminium and a good selection of M4 and M5 socket head screws. Using the mill to machine these to size was quite simple once I had worked out what needed to fit where.

Here are some photos of the finished job.

Y axis scale showing cut down bracket and plate to transfer motion to the slider.

X axis scale at the back of the table. The only issue that still needs sorting is how to fix the rubber strip back in place in a way that doesn't channel swarf towards the scale.

Completed system working nicely. I wish the leads were more easily shortened but spitting a connector apart showed that they were very nicely soldered with the screened cables properly grounded to the connector body and so I decided to leave well alone.

The accessory kit that comes with each scale. This ended up being spare as it wasn't needed for the X scale.

[Jonathan MeadParticipant @jonathanmead91773]

[JonParticipant @jon]

Decent job there.

Attaching the rear swarf rubber may prove to be problematic. As it collapses debris builds up and limits travel already shortened. Worst case scenario rubber can be pushed under the scale on to read head at any inappropriate moment. Left mine off just get the spade out once a week.

Of course easy way to attach the rubber is in original place and scale at front.
Couldn't do that with mine as needed dividing plates to drop down side of X bed clearing power feed trip and 4 stops.
Can now do it with magnetic scales on front not around at the time only been out 6 years fitted to lathe.

[Jonathan MeadParticipant @jonathanmead91773]

Thanks Jon. I've now refitted the rubber guard, and it seems to be working OK. I've used the same fixing point as the slider and mounted the rubber on the outside. Although not ideal it seems to be working OK and keeps the leadscrew clear of swarf. Overall I'm very pleased with the quality and performance of this system so far, but obviously need to see how reliable they prove to be over the coming months and years.

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