DRO Installation

[Jose Rivera]

For three years I have been wanting to add a X axis DRO.
The Y axis has been installed for at least two years.

I like to share how I mounted this 18" DRO.

More later as I test it.

[Harold_V]

You never cease to amaze me, José.

Very well done.

Harold

[Jose Rivera]

Hey Harold ... I even amaze myself !!!

I took measurements and made a model with Solidworks.
I almost fell backwards when everything just fell into place.

Doing it at a 45° angle is far more challenging.

[JimGlass]

Jose;

Nice setup.

Where did you find the scales?

Jim

[Jose Rivera]

Discount Machine on e-Bay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/18-450mm-HOR-DIGITA ... 446wt_1242

[Falcon67]

Now that's a nice, straight forward setup. Not completely clear on how the center support attaches - I assume it has to fix on the Y axis to let the table move in X behind it.

[Jose Rivera]

The longitudinal table is called the X axis, the saddle (in and out) is the Y axis.

The saddle has this rectangular piece of steel that serves as a stop when the the two stop blocks are used.

The scale travels with the X axis table, the digital head is anchored to this rectangular piece with two set-screws.
There has to be a clearance slot for the hex-head cap screw that holds the plate to the saddle.

The new pictures may give you a better idea.

[Jose Rivera]

Here is the post showing the Y axis DRO.

My wish-list now has a display so I don't have to be docking to see the displays.

If using a vise, the display on the 18" DRO will be under the vise

The Y DRO is under the table.

http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/vie ... hlight=dro

[Falcon67]

Thanks for the extra pics - that makes it pretty clear. Had to think a moment about how the ways are set and how the table moves. Last night I was thinking "taxes" in Turbo Tax, so my mind was....clouded.

Display - I have one of these coming today:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/T21577

That readout may very well read any Chinese scale. The display I'm sure doesn't know how long the attached scale might be. I'll check it out when I get a hold of it. The other option for you might be a ShumaTech readout. Wildhorse seems to have plenty of DRO-350 kits still available.
http://www.wildhorse-innovations.com/in ... roductId=2
I'm looking hard at one of these.

If using a vise, the display on the 18" DRO will be under the vise

Good point. You could modify the bracket that holds the display such that it could be moved left or right of center if full table travel wasn't needed.

[KenHMT]

For three years I have been wanting to add a X axis DRO.

Really nice DRO mount!

Added to the homemadetools.net database: http://www.homemadetools.net/x-axis-dro-mount-2

Ken

[Rex]

Very nice solution. I have been wondering how I could mount my X-axis and still retain use of the table stops.

thanks for the post

Rex

[RSG]

Nice job José