DRO advice?

[Chris152]

We're looking to fit 3 axis dro to our Sieg SX3 benchtop mill. I've been looking on ebay and see kits that would suit at about £250 supplied from the UK, and £200 direct from China. And this SINO one is £168 from China:

Pardon our interruption...

I'm drawn to the ones supplied in the UK as it'd be easier to return if it doesn't work. But apart from that, is there any difference in quality between the different kit advertised on ebay in that price range? Or are they all coming from the same factory? I've read all the posts I can find on here relating to DRO and I see one or two people referring positively to Sino, but it's all a bit of a mystery to me.

Any comments or recommendations gratefully received!
Thanks, Chris

 

[Richiew]

I've recently ordered this one from Aliexpress. I'm expecting delivery in a day or three. Seems very cheap. Will let you know how I get on.

I paid £33.13 plus VAT so £39.76 in total with free five day delivery.

SNS-3V SNS-2V Dro 2 3 Axis Digital Readout Display TTL Signal 80V to 250V for Lathe Milling CNC Boring Machines - AliExpress 1420

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

Like you, I reckon they are all made in the same factory.



Screen shot for when the link doesn't work.

 

[fizzy]

We're looking to fit 3 axis dro to our Sieg SX3 benchtop mill. I've been looking on ebay and see kits that would suit at about £250 supplied from the UK, and £200 direct from China. And this SINO one is £168 from China:

Pardon our interruption...

I'm drawn to the ones supplied in the UK as it'd be easier to return if it doesn't work. But apart from that, is there any difference in quality between the different kit advertised on ebay in that price range? Or are they all coming from the same factory? I've read all the posts I can find on here relating to DRO and I see one or two people referring positively to Sino, but it's all a bit of a mystery to me.

Any comments or recommendations gratefully received!
Thanks, Chris

Sino is one of the better ones but they are all much the same. I have no problem buying direct from China. Ebay's buyer protection is very good.
It says in the ad it is a metal case. They aren't and the one in the photo is obviously plastic.
Real cost is in the scales. 1um resolution are more expensive than the 5um ones but it makes very little difference for the hobby user.

 

[fizzy]

I've recently ordered this one from Aliexpress. I'm expecting delivery in a day or three. Seems very cheap. Will let you know how I get on.

I paid £33.13 plus VAT so £39.76 in total with free five day delivery.

SNS-3V SNS-2V Dro 2 3 Axis Digital Readout Display TTL Signal 80V to 250V for Lathe Milling CNC Boring Machines - AliExpress 1420

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

Like you, I reckon they are all made in the same factory.



Screen shot for when the link doesn't work.

View attachment 444582

That is a good price - display only obviously.
I hope the one hasn't died on the Bridgeport?

 

[Richiew]

Bridgeport one is fine Fizzy. Thanks for asking. I just hankered after a 3 axis and the current one is only two. Wasn't looking to change it so quick but the price was too good to pass up. I haven't bought the scales yet although I do have a spare scale knocking about somewhere to test it. The 2 axis Bridgeport DRO may get repurposed if I ever get a bigger lathe.

 

[skotl]

I've recently ordered this one from Aliexpress. I'm expecting delivery in a day or three. Seems very cheap. Will let you know how I get on.

I paid £33.13 plus VAT so £39.76 in total with free five day delivery.

SNS-3V SNS-2V Dro 2 3 Axis Digital Readout Display TTL Signal 80V to 250V for Lathe Milling CNC Boring Machines - AliExpress 1420

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

Like you, I reckon they are all made in the same factory.



Screen shot for when the link doesn't work.

View attachment 444582

Same for me - went with the cheapest they could supply and it's all been rock solid

 

[fizzy]

Bridgeport one is fine Fizzy. Thanks for asking. I just hankered after a 3 axis and the current one is only two. Wasn't looking to change it so quick but the price was too good to pass up. I haven't bought the scales yet although I do have a spare scale knocking about somewhere to test it. The 2 axis Bridgeport DRO may get repurposed if I ever get a bigger lathe.

I was concerned as it appeared to work fine.
I only have 2 axis on mine. Does get a bit annoying sometimes but I have bought one of the vernier type to attach to the quill. Not got round to it yet of course

 

[dieselsamurai]

Im looking at the mo for my bridgeport so this thread has just come in very handy

Im going to go down the 3 axis route too and like Fizzy have a vernier type to fit on the quill when I get to refurbishing it

 

[Pete.]

Pay attention to the scale length. The overall length of the scale is quite a bit more than the working length.

 

[Richiew]

That's why I have a spare.....

 

[RichardM]

I've just finished putting a 3 axis magnetic / glass on the lathe, the same sort of system on the lathe and mill now. Did it cheap via AliExpress and Allendale. Clearance. AliExpress delivery is usually faster than EBay from China and tracked for all the bits I have bought.
You will probably have to make your own brackets. Keep an eye on how much axis movement scale placement will take.
I bought YH800-3P 3 axis LCD display (Aikron), two MSR5000 magnetic encoders, magnetic tape and a Sino KA500 scale. Split the order as I wanted to make sure the display was Aikron internals. Don't foresee any problems.

Check the pricing, the 3 axis with scales you link to will cost £348.

 

[Chris152]

Thanks all, really helpful.

The ad I linked to asks us to choose between the following:
The linear scale can be selected as follows:
KA300-70,120,170,220,270,320,370,420,470,520,570,620,670,720,770,820,870,920,970,1020mm
KA500-70,120,170,220,270,320,370,420,470,520mm
I know we need about 150mm, 300mm and 400mm but don't know what KA300/ KA500 refers to. Any thoughts?

 

[fizzy]

I've just finished putting a 3 axis magnetic / glass on the lathe, the same sort of system on the lathe and mill now. Did it cheap via AliExpress and Allendale. Clearance. AliExpress delivery is usually faster than EBay from China and tracked for all the bits I have bought.
You will probably have to make your own brackets. Keep an eye on how much axis movement scale placement will take.
I bought YH800-3P 3 axis LCD display (Aikron), two MSR5000 magnetic encoders, magnetic tape and a Sino KA500 scale. Split the order as I wanted to make sure the display was Aikron internals. Don't foresee any problems.

Check the pricing, the 3 axis with scales you link to will cost £348.

Are you using magnetic tape to save space? I understand they aren't as bulky as glass scales.

 

[Chris152]

Check the pricing, the 3 axis with scales you link to will cost £348.

I guess I'm missing something - it says reader and 3 scales for £168? Thanks.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Richiew]

The KA300 scale is chunkier than the KA500. There's a diagram on your Ebay link showing the dimensions.

 

[Richiew]

168 just buys the DRO display. No scales.

 

[Chris152]

168 just buys the DRO display. No scales.

Gawd blimey, I didn't notice! Thanks RichardM and Richiew.

 

[RichardM]

@fizzy Yes a lot smaller, but the real benefit to me is that I could retain axis stops on the mill without losing any axis movement. Magnetic tape length is the axis movement plus the length of the read head and if you use the stick on tape option then really you only have to account for the read head and tape cover. There are photos of both lathe and mill fitments on here somewhere.

This is what I have used

 

[rcx132]

I used these. They can be plugged into an open source control unit which I planned to upgrade to never did as the LCD readout is all I need.

 

[Robert Weaver]

I fitted a 3 axis dro to my sx3 last year. If you want pics of the install, routing and scale lengths, I can sort info tomorrow morning.