A while back I read a post by @Xyphota where he installed his crosslide dro INSIDE his cross-slide. This has prompted me to review the idea of adding a DRO to my lathe.
A DRO Scale INSIDE the cross slide has MANY advantages.
No worries about swarf and damage in the business area of the lathe. No worries about damaging the scale with the tailstock.
So I have been noodling modifications to @Xyphota s basic idea.
Here are some photos of my cross-slide as is.
Front of Crosslide. The gap is 40 thou measured with a feeler gauge. I don't know yet if it's enough for a strip of magnetic scale tape. If not, I would plan to remove just enough metal to clear the magnetic tape.
View attachment 27484
This is the cross-slide travel. About 6.5 inches.
View attachment 27482
This is the space left at full rear travel. Room for a sensor block and a short scale extension.
View attachment 27483
This the rear of the cross slide in full forward position. The bracket is removable and I presume it's only there to keep the cross slide aligned and dirt out. I would remove it and replace it with a sensor mount that serves the original purpose as well as a mount for the sensor. Perhaps make it a mount for the bed scale sensor too.
View attachment 27481
It will be a while before I actually do this. I'd have to get the DRO, some magnetic scale tape, and complete the design.
Right now, I'm looking for suggestions and criticisms.
I'm also thinking about a similar design for the compound. The compound gap is similar but there is much less space for a sensor on a rotating compound. One thing at a time.
A DRO Scale INSIDE the cross slide has MANY advantages.
No worries about swarf and damage in the business area of the lathe. No worries about damaging the scale with the tailstock.
So I have been noodling modifications to @Xyphota s basic idea.
Here are some photos of my cross-slide as is.
Front of Crosslide. The gap is 40 thou measured with a feeler gauge. I don't know yet if it's enough for a strip of magnetic scale tape. If not, I would plan to remove just enough metal to clear the magnetic tape.
View attachment 27484
This is the cross-slide travel. About 6.5 inches.
View attachment 27482
This is the space left at full rear travel. Room for a sensor block and a short scale extension.
View attachment 27483
This the rear of the cross slide in full forward position. The bracket is removable and I presume it's only there to keep the cross slide aligned and dirt out. I would remove it and replace it with a sensor mount that serves the original purpose as well as a mount for the sensor. Perhaps make it a mount for the bed scale sensor too.
View attachment 27481
It will be a while before I actually do this. I'd have to get the DRO, some magnetic scale tape, and complete the design.
Right now, I'm looking for suggestions and criticisms.
I'm also thinking about a similar design for the compound. The compound gap is similar but there is much less space for a sensor on a rotating compound. One thing at a time.
