Lathe DRO

[Stephen FollowsParticipant @stephenfollows82099]

Myford lathe dro. Which is best scale for the slide, the screw on the side type or the one that requires the slide to be milled? Hoping users of both types can give some feedback.

[Robert ButlerParticipant @robertbutler92161]

Steve, i purchased the Machine DRO kit before the later version which requires the cross slide to be milled. I subsequently purchased the latter version which is far more convenient to use and not so cumbersome. Please be aware you cannot use the taper turning attachment or Myford Multi-Stop as the DRO mounting uses the drilled and tapped holes at the rear of the lathe. Easy fit and good clear instruction.

Robert Butler

[Les RileyParticipant @lesriley75593]

I waited many years for a cross slide DRO because I didn’t like the bolt on the side type.

I now have the milled underneath version and it is great.

As above, I don’t have taper attachment etc.

[JAParticipant @ja]

I bought a new Myford lathe from the old company about 12 years ago fitted with their DRO arrangement. The actual DRO is industrial quality, Newall, and the whole system has been very reliable. However the installation is a bit of a bodge. As mentioned the longitudinal scale uses the fixing holes for the taper turning attachment which is a nominal inconvenience since I have not had to use mine since getting the lathe (and if I had to I would probably use a friend’s lathe). The cross slide scale is bolted to the slide and has a simple swarf guard. A bump stop is fixed to the carrage to prevent the tailstock from smashing everything.

Years ago Myford could have done better but ……….

Realizing that pictures are worth many words I will post some later today (photographs will be taken after collecting Christmas food).

JA

[RobinParticipant @robin]

I find the cross slide DRO holds the tailstock off to the right. The overhang on the QCTP also pushes the cross slide and tailstock off to the right. The machine’s maker omitted to put a nose on the tailstock, presumably to increase the between centres distance. The poor old tailstock is now getting wound so far forwards it is about to drop out the end.

I have a long-snouted live centre to work around the problem but it is far from satisfactory.

best

Robin

 

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

I fitted the inside version as its neat and allows all your other tooling that you made in the past to be continued to use

[Wink HackmanParticipant @winkhackman25989]

Another vote for the M-DRO magnetic scales with one strip embedded in the crosslide. Straightforward to mill the groove for it, I think I lost some crosslide travel because the read head obstructs the leadscrew when the crosslide is wound in, but not really a problem.

[JAParticipant @ja]

As promised.

Bump stop to protect cross slide sensor

Cross slide sensor

Saddle sensor

JA

 

[JAParticipant @ja]

When logged in I can see the above posting I made last night. If I am not logged in it is neither there nor acknowledged. What have I done wrong (other than messing up someone’s topic, sorry)?

JA

[jaCK HobsonParticipant @jackhobson50760]

I went for milled. My first milling project… I messed up!

I think the milled version reduced the options I then had for adding my ELS – I put the cross slide motor on the front which isn’t as neat as on the back – but the DRO encoder was in the way.

I’m still happy with the outcome though.

[Author]

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