Mitutoyo 2-Axis DRO $300 Victoria BC

[whydontu]

Might not be a smoking good deal, but this beast will likely survive the upcoming zombie apocalypse.

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[DavidR8]

Just saw that.
Scales could be good for my lathe but likely I can get cheaper imported scales.

 

[Dabbler]

I have one that is much, much older, and still working. Bert paid 4400$ for it in 1981 (!!) Same features as the one above, but in a 12" X 8" X 8" box. All discrete components and a ROM. It is a 2708 erasable EPROM, and the data needs refreshing every 10 years or so... It is about time for a refresh!!!

 

[jcdammeyer]

I wouldn't use this at all. My Shumatech DRO-350 or the 550 for that matter can be used to find the center of a hole or between two edges. RPM can be added. No guarantee that the electronics hasn't degraded.

 

[Dabbler]

The current cheap offerings, as well as the quality ones, are far more reliable and functional that these older DROs. I was having fun, partly because of the old box I'm still. Cobbler's kids going barefoot!

Frankly, an ALI DRO is around 250-350$. and far more accurate also!

 

[DavidR8]

Sold.
I'm honestly kinda shocked....

 

[Tom Kitta]

The current cheap offerings, as well as the quality ones, are far more reliable and functional that these older DROs. I was having fun, partly because of the old box I'm still. Cobbler's kids going barefoot!

Frankly, an ALI DRO is around 250-350$. and far more accurate also!

Yeah, Ali Dro is vastly superior. I mean we are talking here about ancient stuff in electronics world - and electronics moves rather a lot in recent years. I have some apprentice made metal flat bases with engraved 1920 on the back and still good and workable and maybe even better than a lot of new stuff - but electronics from even 1980s today is junk compared even to cheap stuff from China. I mean 1980s is the time of Commodore 64 computers and first Intel chips such as 8088 and 80286.
Today stuff is over million times faster.... in 40 years we improved over million times. Maybe DRO does not need blazing speed but this improvement should be food for thought.

 

[Tomc938]

You are eighth in the improvements made. But the Bausch and Lomb I have in my mill (Cora 1980s) is still worth what I would call a fortune. One axis board has a bad IC. Online you can get a replacement board, untested, for $200-300. Accurate to 0.0005. And I can replace the bad IC for $1. Try THAT on a Ali DRO

 

[trevj]

You are eighth in the improvements made. But the Bausch and Lomb I have in my mill (Cora 1980s) is still worth what I would call a fortune. One axis board has a bad IC. Online you can get a replacement board, untested, for $200-300. Accurate to 0.0005. And I can replace the bad IC for $1. Try THAT on a Ali DRO

Try finding a scale for your 35 years old 'bargain', when you find out that the company used a proprietary format for their encoders!

And, y'know, there are actually folks playing around at repairs to surface mounted components on modern boards. All it takes is 'some' specialized tooling (pretty common in any field of pursuit), and some working knowledge of the circuits involved. A magnifier helps!

Truth is, I would cart the one above home, if it were near, and it were free, but spend money on it, not at all!

I have (IIRC) 4 different Acu-Rite systems (all either got free, included with a machine purchase, or bought VERY cheaply!)and enough spares to keep them running, so even I have my favorites, but for the basic price asked above, you can get a decent unit that is light years ahead of that one in ease of use, capability, and ease of installation, without having to second guess whether your replacement parts are as broken when they arrive, as the parts you are attempting to replace!

 

[Tomc938]

Try finding a scale for your 35 years old 'bargain', when you find out that the company used a proprietary format for their encoders!

And, y'know, there are actually folks playing around at repairs to surface mounted components on modern boards. All it takes is 'some' specialized tooling (pretty common in any field of pursuit), and some working knowledge of the circuits involved. A magnifier helps!

Truth is, I would cart the one above home, if it were near, and it were free, but spend money on it, not at all!

I have (IIRC) 4 different Acu-Rite systems (all either got free, included with a machine purchase, or bought VERY cheaply!)and enough spares to keep them running, so even I have my favorites, but for the basic price asked above, you can get a decent unit that is light years ahead of that one in ease of use, capability, and ease of installation, without having to second guess whether your replacement parts are as broken when they arrive, as the parts you are attempting to replace!

For sure! My Acu-rite came with the mill. And while it doesn't have all the special functions of the new ones, it will do for now - with more accuracy than I can replicate. (and now I know where to go to if I need parts. )

And I do a little surface mount stuff, but man, that stuff is small!

And for $300 I would definitely go new.

 

[Tom Kitta]

You are eighth in the improvements made. But the Bausch and Lomb I have in my mill (Cora 1980s) is still worth what I would call a fortune. One axis board has a bad IC. Online you can get a replacement board, untested, for $200-300. Accurate to 0.0005. And I can replace the bad IC for $1. Try THAT on a Ali DRO

You can easily do that on Ali DRO - all are plug and play and use same encoding so if say a scale is broken? No issues - order new one from cheapest seller. You want better scale? No problem, order new one from a different seller. Your display is bad or you want to upgrade? No problem, new ones start at $100 CAD, no issues with shipping included. You want better... you guessed it, no problem.

I.e. parts support for Ali DRO is super easy.

Why would anyone get untested board for such old DRO for such huge $$$? When you can get modern stuff - whole display for less - and way, way, way better in everything.

I would treat old DRO more or less something that I would not throw out if working 100% - as soon as it breaks down, to the bin it goes and get a new one on Ali. I know this is not exactly "repair friendly" or "green approach" but unless you are DRO collector there is little point of fixing it for rather huge money.

Also Ali guys are OK with custom DRO solution - i.e. you can order scale size that fits your machine - i.e. they manufacture you the size you want. Yes, it does cost extra. Yes, you can specify longer cables. Etc. Etc. Etc. I am unsure as to whatever you can get some super accurate DRO scales say better then a micron - never asked. Same for displays - I am unsure as to whatever it would still use same encoding.

 

[Susquatch]

And I can replace the bad IC for $1. Try THAT on a Ali DRO

Well, ....... I have an Ali Ditron. I love it. Getting another one coming shortly.

But you got me with that one! I don't think there is more than 3 ICs in there. Prolly all surface mount. If my board goes, I'll prolly just replace the whole unit. Be a lot more than a dollar......

 

[Tomc938]

You can easily do that on Ali DRO - all are plug and play and use same encoding so if say a scale is broken? No issues - order new one from cheapest seller. You want better scale? No problem, order new one from a different seller. Your display is bad or you want to upgrade? No problem, new ones start at $100 CAD, no issues with shipping included. You want better... you guessed it, no problem.

I.e. parts support for Ali DRO is super easy.

Why would anyone get untested board for such old DRO for such huge $$$? When you can get modern stuff - whole display for less - and way, way, way better in everything.

I would treat old DRO more or less something that I would not throw out if working 100% - as soon as it breaks down, to the bin it goes and get a new one on Ali. I know this is not exactly "repair friendly" or "green approach" but unless you are DRO collector there is little point of fixing it for rather huge money.

Also Ali guys are OK with custom DRO solution - i.e. you can order scale size that fits your machine - i.e. they manufacture you the size you want. Yes, it does cost extra. Yes, you can specify longer cables. Etc. Etc. Etc. I am unsure as to whatever you can get some super accurate DRO scales say better then a micron - never asked. Same for displays - I am unsure as to whatever it would still use same encoding.

That's what I can't figure out?! I wasn't prepared to spend more than a new DRO and then possibly/probably end up with 2 bad cards. IF it was guaranteed to work, might be worth $30 or something.

As far as fixing it, I also enjoy the challenge and opportunity to stretch myself. And for a small coffee, it's worth a shot. Gonna feel real good if I can fix it.

 

[Tom Kitta]

That's what I can't figure out?! I wasn't prepared to spend more than a new DRO and then possibly/probably end up with 2 bad cards. IF it was guaranteed to work, might be worth $30 or something.

As far as fixing it, I also enjoy the challenge and opportunity to stretch myself. And for a small coffee, it's worth a shot. Gonna feel real good if I can fix it.

Yeah the untested part is total BS. If this is eBay I am not sure he is even allowed to do this - i.e. eBay may force them to take a refund - but I understand this is a hassle.

I also understand challenge of fixing things that may take hours for like $5 per hour when you count it all - we all do that on this group - not so much for the money but challenge. This is why its a hobby. See whatever you can fix this or that for sheer fun of it - and yes, feeling good if after hours of work you manage to get it back to working order.

 

[trevj]

Yeah the untested part is total BS. If this is eBay I am not sure he is even allowed to do this - i.e. eBay may force them to take a refund - but I understand this is a hassle.

I also understand challenge of fixing things that may take hours for like $5 per hour when you count it all - we all do that on this group - not so much for the money but challenge. This is why its a hobby. See whatever you can fix this or that for sheer fun of it - and yes, feeling good if after hours of work you manage to get it back to working order.

Yep.

As long as you understand the reasons for the decision! Emotional, or Logical!

Seems a GREAT idea from an emotional point of view. Maybe not so much, if you apply logic!

They are essentially saying that it is 'supposedly', at your own risk. But they are offering it up as a solution to a problem! Which it ain't!

 

[PeterT]

Sometimes old stuff goes because someone has the same thing which has worked fine for 40 year & swapping in a part from an organ donor is cheaper & less painful than a retrofit. But for that I kind of money, I tend to of agree - good time to upgrade.

 

[6.5 Fan]

Sometimes old stuff goes because someone has the same thing which has worked fine for 40 year & swapping in a part from an organ donor is cheaper & less painful than a retrofit. But for that I kind of money, I tend to of agree - good time to upgrade.

On the basis of this post lot of the members here are due for replacement. Don't be giving wives any more ideas, although i'm safe.

 

[Tomc938]

On the basis of this post lot of the members here are due for replacement. Don't be giving wives any more ideas, although i'm safe.

So true!

I have an old timer friend (he's in his upper 90s now and lived his while life in Sask. farming country) who someone was talking to years ago. This was after his wife was scheduled for her second hip replacement. His friend said, "Maybe it's time you think about trading her in for a newer model." He replied immediately, l "Nah, as long as I can get parts for her I'll keep her." (Susquatch, as a farmer I'm sure you can relate)

I was so impressed with the quick comeback! When I grow up I want to be just like him.

 

[Susquatch]

Nah, as long as I can get parts for her I'll keep her." (Susquatch, as a farmer I'm sure you can relate)

I make as many of the parts as I can for my stuff. I wonder if a 3D printer can make silicon parts........

 

[Tom O]

Well you could make a plastic mold and inject the silicone.