Ditron DRO Sale on Ali

[lucsimoneau]

Wow! Very impressive modelling - even the tools on the splash gaurd!!!

I can't speak to 3D models of scales. I'm all old school still. What I can do is highly recommend that you forget BOTH FRONT AND REAR mounting. Front is too subject to damage cuz it's too close to all the action, and rear is in the way of the tailstock.

Instead, look at putting the scale INSIDE the cross-slide! Basically, you put the scale on the top half of the cross-slide and the reader at the back attached to the saddle. No dirt, no damage, neat and tidy.

Mine is a close fit without any machining at all. But I plan to cut another 10 thou off for extra clearance anyway.

Several of us have done this or are planning to, and we are all quite happy!

Tools on splash guard were done yesterday - had a piece of Kreg T-Slot track left over from a table saw jig build and 3D printed some tool holders. Didn't want to drill thru the metal splash guard so I printed some standoff's that snap into place:

 

[lucsimoneau]

On my King 1440 lathe, the read head was installed in the back of the carriage with a bracket (not shown) - would like to see pictures of your installations for wisdom

 

[Susquatch]

On 1022 lathes the slide uncovers the back end of the saddle when fully forward so I don't see how this will work.

This is true of many lathes. The solution. I'd mount the read head at the back of the cross-slide and add a simple extension to the back of the top of the cross-slide. The two halves can be machined for the shallow groove (if one is needed) as an assembly for perfect alignment. I think that's what @TorontoBuilder means above too.

 

[TorontoBuilder]

This is true of many lathes. The solution. I'd mount the read head at the back of the cross-slide and add a simple extension to the back of the top of the cross-slide. The two halves can be machined for the shallow groove (if one is needed) as an assembly for perfect alignment. I think that's what @TorontoBuilder means above too.

exactly that...

 

[slow-poke]

Seems some interest in mounting of cross slide scale on 10x22 lathe. I did not investigate the tape under the cross slide method, it would probably be better than my solution. I mounted a magnetic scale to the side and it's a bit messy:
- need to maintain access to the grub screws, I turned down the head ever so slightly, so a deep 8mm socket can access without disassembling anything.
- carriage lock bolt requires a tweak, but that's a good thing because half the time the you can't access with the Allen key, so that change is worth doing regardless of DRO
- the 4th image is the mounting block for the read head

 

[architect]

I have a Ditron coming via DHL.

What kinda duty and tax have folks gotten?

First time I've ever ordered this size and price from abroad and never DHL.

 

[slow-poke]

I find DHL way better than UPS and lower brokerage than both UPS and FedEx. I'm actually quite warming up to DHL they seem to have their act together, tracking and communication is excellent. My DHL driver often phones while in route to make sure I'm home.

 

[Susquatch]

Like DHL too. Not better than Purolator for me, but waaaay better than UPS. My only disappointment was have to drive to their depot for a few things. Not sure how or why that happens.