3 axis dro recommendations

[Fazerruss]

Morning all. I'm starting to think ahead on the Tom senior conversion and I would eventually like to fit a digital read out system.
Noticed this on the bay for 230 quid

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112428504763

Anyone any recommendations?

@Shox Dr I remember you mentioning one type of scales are better?


Also can the scales easily be cut to size?

 

[GW8IZR]

I'll be interested to see opinions here as I'm considering the same.

My thoughts are do I buy something industrial and well made that will last for ever and I can get parts for.... or do I buy a cheap Chinese thing on the basis that I can replace it three times for the same price.

 

[Hood]

I bought 2 DROs in 2004 from Hong Kong and they were great. One is still going strong on my Triumph lathe, it is actually a Mill DRO and was on an old Bridgeport originally and the other was going great as well when I sold the Student lathe about 4 or 5 years ago, no idea how it is doing but I suspect it is still ok.

The one I still have is this one.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOP-3-AXI...333845&hash=item2a5d6ebadb:g:CJoAAOSwNphWZS15

The one that went with the Student was a Sino like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SINO-2-AX...581305&hash=item2a6e6efee5:g:x5MAAOSwKIpV~Rjb

I think really though most of the Chinese DROs are similar so should be fine.

Edit, actually it was Singapore they came from and not Hongkong, not that that will likely make much difference.

 

[Hood]

Also can the scales easily be cut to size?

No the glass scales can not be cut.
There are DROs available with magnetic strip scales that can be cut to size but I have no experience of them so can't comment.

 

[Fazerruss]

No the glass scales can not be cut.
There are DROs available with magnetic strip scales that can be cut to size but I have no experience of them so can't comment.

That explains why there are some untidy looking installations on the interweb..so I would need to double check length supplied and not to limit the travel.

Looks like it is possible to request the correct size to the nearest 50mm so with a little planning I could do a nice set up.
I hate the coiled up leads so shortening is a must

 

[Hood]

Yes you need to get scales of the correct length. They have to be longer than the travel of the machine as extra either end is required but that will depend on the actual model of the scales. For example attached is the scale manual I got with mine, different models have different sections etc.

 

[Shox Dr]

Not sure I said one was better, certainly the magnetic encoders can be hidden away far easier, I've a mix of glass scales and mag on both the M300, and the Senior.

 

[Fazerruss]

It was the encoder type i was thinking of. I think you mentioned one was more accurate.

 

[Shox Dr]

It was the encoder type i was thinking of. I think you mentioned one was more accurate.

You can get 5mu and 1mu resolution, cant remember what the glass scales are.

I bought 1mu as the repeat is better