DRO possibilities for a 'Sanity Clause' pressie to self … but, which type??? Optical or Magnetic? Fitment would be to a D-W mill. Limited research suggests Magnetic – can anyone with experience or expertise advise, please?

rgds

Bill

Thank you for the quick reply, Brian.

Which type of encoder, please – Magnetic or Optical ? Any reasons for choice?

rgds

Bill

Hi Bill

I actually ordered an Easson 3 axis kit from Allendale this morning after a week's intensive research and price comparison. You might find my notes below of some use.

In fact I shall be sharing the Console between my Boxford and my Centec mill and am splitting the magnetic readers which come with the kit between the two machines. I have bought an additional short magnetic reader and an optical one for the mill which means I will get two axes on the lathe and 3 on the mill.

The logic in my final decision being:

1. I had promised myself DRO on the Boxford when i bought it (mainly to enable metric and imperial machining – and a kind 'token' from my dearest last Birthday for this).

2. Most people say Milling machine is more significantly improved by addition of DRO than a lathe is, even if just two axes so it was difficult to decide which to do first.

By sharing the console (just three connectors to unplug and plug in the other leads – the Easson Console is switchable between late and mill modes) it only mean the cost of a couple more readers. The Easson also has a nice LCD graphics display making it quite intuitive to use (Allendale kindly sent me a download manual to let me explore this). As far as I can see the only downside of the Easson is its plastic case (not aluminium as some others are) and separate power supply unit (some others take mains supply direct to the console)

3. Allendale DRO kit prices really help reduce the cost of Magnetic readers. On the kit I bought the two longer readers are good for the x axis on both lathe and mill, leaving the shorter (cheaper) readers to be bought as extras.

4. 15% discount is really worthwhile on a purchase of this size and Allendale seem very competitive. I didn't want to buy from overseas due to cost of returning items under warranty. The discount saving goes a long way towards the cost of the two extra readers

5. Magnetic readers are more compact and can be cut to length helping me to make a neat and 'workmanlike' installation. Optical readers seem fine where they are out of the way and can be installed with the head underneath the bar. I was not keen on using optical for the z axis of the mill, being fearful of muck getting past the seals where the head passes through (I have linishers right next to the mill so often have fine wood dust floating about that area).

6. Initially I was tempted to have their 'mini' magnetic head as a removable item to share between the Boxford topslide, tailstock and the Centec Quill. I then realised that to do this I would soon want the 'summing interface' for use on the quill and the topslide.
This would add together readings from the other reader working on the respective axes. I wasn't sure I needed these features sufficiently to add nearly £300 to the bill and in any case this would not be accurate when the topslide is set at any significant angle or when the vertical head on the mill is set at an angle (effectively a fourth Axis in that case).

Instead of this I am 'reworking' a cheapo Digital vernier to make a simple DRO for the lathe topslide – if this is successful I will post details as I have a cunning plan for the Boxford which at present looks most promising.

I might then use a similar arrangement for the Centec vertical head. I bought a QuillStar reader some time ago but never fitted it as its arrangement does not suit the Centec – It was actually designed to go on a Bridgeport. I had been hanging onto this with the idea of using the slide and reader head but have been reluctant to do so this to an expensive item. It is probably better that I move it on to someone with a Bridgeport.

John

Duncan, John and Dave, many thanks.

Your replies have sorted out the Yes/No decision – the Mag/Optical decision has firmed up to Mag, unless someone with real world experience advises strongly against. Now I've got to behave myself for a month!!

rgds

Bill

Hello Bill, I went for the magnetic ones because they can easily be cut to size, 'though in the end I didn't have to cut them.

Brian

Hi George

I shall report back when I fit the kit

Martin