DRO advice?

[Chris152]

Thanks all for the advice.
Being tight of fist, and unable to buy from Aliexpress, I went for a 3-axis readout and just x and y scales, from the ebay seller linked above. We'll buy the z scale when we need it.
All seems to be working fine, we just need to learn to use it properly!
Cheers, Chris.

 

[Bsmith]

Apart from my one, how's the AliExpress DRO's going?
Mine went 'phutt' and blew the 3a fuse that I put in the 13a plug, I changed the fuse and tried again, it went'phutt' again but didn't blow the fuse, screen is now dead.
AliExpress customer service say return for a refund.
I would prefer to return for an exchange unit but they don't do that they say.
I don't think I did anything to cause it to fail although I was using the only scale I have so far which was on the X axis and it is the correct scale for the DRO.

 

[Richiew]

Mine is still alive. Just received a scale from Aliexpress today to go with it. Not installed yet but it's been tested a few times including today.

 

[Bsmith]

Mine is still alive. Just received a scale from Aliexpress today to go with it. Not installed yet but it's been tested a few times including today.

I ordered another dro the same style, hope the last one I had was the only dodgy one going.

 

[RichardM]

Ali express for my last ones (cheapie for lathe). BMR Measurement Solution prior to that

 

[Bsmith]

Where are people buying the magnetic scales from?

Magnetic sounds like a great idea but do they not collect unwanted swarf?
It's just the glass scales that I have from AliExpress.

 

[RichardM]

@bR39Da Aliexp or BMR?

 

[RichardM]

52.52ï¿¡ 30% OFF|High precision IP67 Magnetic Scale 5um 500 6000mm Working Length Magnet Linear Encoder used for Woodworker Lathe Grinder| | - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

 

[Smouser]

I recently bought a 5-axis DRO from Aliexpress which will go on my SEMCO mill. I only really needed 4 axis but the price difference between 4 and 5 was almost nothing so I went for the 5.

13 Language 2 3 4 5 Axis YH800 BIG LCD Dro Digital Readout Systems Display Set Kit for Lathe Mill CNC Machines YH800-3V YH800-4V - AliExpress 1420

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

a.aliexpress.com

The DRO has got a summing feature built in so it is nice to use that on the quill and knee to get a 'synced' readout for them.

I also bought a magnetic scale for the quill.

High Precision Milling Lathe DRO Magnetic Scale Sensor 5V 0.005mm 5um Encoder Magnet Scale TTL for Lathe Wooden Stone Machines - AliExpress 1420

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

a.aliexpress.com

I have not yet decided if I want to go glass scales or magnetic scales for the rest of the axis on the mill. The Semco have X and Y Anilam scales currently fitted so I could either re use them on the Chinese DRO or replace with new Chinese glass scales.

I played a little with the DRO (not fitted to the machine yet) and the summing feature appears to work great.

On my Elliott late, I have the 'SINO' DRO.

Lathe Dro 2 Axis Digital Readout | Digital Display Milling Machine - Sds2-3va 3 Axis - Aliexpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

a.aliexpress.com

Again, it works a treat for my purposes. I bought the scales for the SINO DRO from eBay and had to change the pin layout in the scales' plugs for them to work.

On my Elliott TV2 mill, I have the LCD DRO from eBay.

Pardon our interruption...

Also no complaints.

The LCD DROs make some things easier to read/understand with visualization compared to the more traditional DROs. Bolt hole pattern are shown with a graphic, the DRO also shows you on a graphic where you are currently located etc.

 

[Smouser]

Once you have tasted luxury, it is hard going back to something inferior

Keep those fancy expensive DROs away from me!

I don't know what I miss so I am happy with the Chinese offerings.

 

[fizzy]

Despise the layout of those LCD and jazzy dros. Just want something simple really like the Sino ones.

The problem is as i've said before, i've been spoilt with the Acu-Rite LCD dro on the big lathe. It really is an amazing bit of kit that makes the chinese offerings feel like garbage.

I also need 1um X & Y scales.
5um will work for the z axis.

Glass scales for this machine, not going down the magnetic route with this one - plenty of mounting space and accuracy is vital.

I went for 1um scales. Makes for a better readout without odd results from rounding up or down.

 

[Pete.]

I went for 1um scales. Makes for a better readout without odd results from rounding up or down.

25.4 microns in a thou and you're doing pretty well if you mill to within a thou.

 

[fizzy]

25.4 microns in a thou and you're doing pretty well if you mill to within a thou.

I do all the time. But then again I am far slower at getting things done than most people.

 

[oldbikedavey]

Well, before DRO's arrived, people machined pretty well using stops and suchlike devices.
You can still machine using the older mechanical systems, and they don't go 'phutt' or tell lies.
Utterly mature technology....