Fitting digital scales to the Wabeco 1200 vertical mill

[RJKflyerParticipant @rjkflyer]

Thought this worth posting – many of us probably fit the simple type digital measuring scales to our mills, but it struck me that a slightly different approach to mounting them could make them easier to use.

 

See what you think!  

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z_xZFiNa14

 

Edited By RJKflyer on 05/01/2011 17:36:19

[RJKflyerParticipant @rjkflyer]

Simple scales make life easier – but an innovative way to fit…

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Seems a bit of a waste fitting cheap scales to a decent machine like the Wabeco

 

Easier option is to use one of the remote readouts that plug into this type of scale, though they are a bit suspect as well. Mounting the scales flat like he has done also makes them far more suseptable to swarf and cutting fluids

 

J

Edited By JasonB on 05/01/2011 18:27:11

Edited By JasonB on 05/01/2011 18:27:39

[RJKflyerParticipant @rjkflyer]

Hmm, thanks for the encouragement…

 

What I will ultimately move to is a Newall microsyn, but as someone who has been milling for only 6 months, I learned a lot from doing this albeit simple project and this will help me make a good job of a £1,200 DRO system when the time comes. There was little point splashing out on Mitutoyo scales if i intend to go Newall DRO later on…

 

I wouldn’t waste any money trying to use some Chinese DRO on these as it’s adding rubbish to ‘cheap scales’ as you encouragingly point out! 

 

We all have to start at the bottom and learn up… 

 

 

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

The glass scales sold by the likes of Allendale are a good half way house. Far more reliable than the calliper type scales and readouts and with the covers will be fine for 99% of hobby use.

 

Thats what I now have after ditching my calliper type scales and the remote readouts (not the DRO boxes)

 

J

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

I would encourage RJKflyer to go for Newall, they are excellent and the microsyn  rule is very compact. Standard bracketry is a little larger than required, see my album for a real miniature one. Nice little milling exercise.

Edited By KWIL on 06/01/2011 11:52:13

[EtheAv8rParticipant @etheav8r]

Richard (RJKflyer)  I applaud your efforts and ingenuity, wow for a beginner you have done really well, and if it works for you and you are happy with the results then that is just fantastic and clearly well worth the effort and expense – and only you can be the judge of that.  Be not discouraged.

 

I am a complete beginner to tis machining malarky and I have a Wabeco D6000E on order with Pro Machine Tools, and it will come ready fitted with a Newall DRO and Microsyn scales…. I am please I have got something that is regarded as good by ‘them wot knows about these things’ as I know nowt!

[RJKflyerParticipant @rjkflyer]

Thanks for your encouragement! Funnily enough i took a look at the D6000E page on Emco after reading you post, and towards the bottom i spotted a picture of a digital measuring scale JUST like one i fitted to my mill!

 

However, the Newall looks absolutely first class! 

 

There are a couple of other videos of mine at http://gallery.me.com/richardjkelly although they’re mill related. One’s about turning in the mill…! 

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

RJKFlyer, read your PM

[JonParticipant @jon]

A bit late in a reply but how are you getting on with the little mill?

 

We had a 1210cnc about 9 years ago and couldnt do a thing with it except mill plastic and wood. You could actually visually see the upright casting flex with minimal cut on, worst £5k at time spent, got £1500 two years later unused.

 

[RJKflyerParticipant @rjkflyer]

So far, so good. It will handle a 2.5″ carbide insert facemill across 2″ steel without the twisting you mention.

 

I suspect that its power (2 hp) could exceed its rigidity however.

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