Hello all from London Ontario

[RAMoynihan]

Hi folks. I joined a while ago… just lurking. Never made an intro post before.

Now I’m contemplating another machine modification.

I have a Rongfu round column mill that I have had for a few years. It gets near daily use. When I went to install a DRO on it I saw some posts where people had bolted on glass scales in front of the table (blocking the limit stops) or behind (reducing travel). I chose to use a magnetic scale affixed directly to the underside of the table. I found a small DRO kit on AliExpress which had sensors that were just small enough to sneak them in. With this arrangement, the mill operation wasn’t changed in any way. The ‘y’ axis was dead easy, so ‘nuff said. The ‘z’ axis was handled by mounting the scale inside the machine head behind the spindle. This arrangement has worked pretty well.

Now I want more features from the DRO and I purchased a new unit similar to the one I have on my lathe. The new sensors are bigger, so I’ll have to do some surgery this time to make it fit the way I want.

I’m wondering if people would be interested in seeing how this goes together, and if I should document the process as I go along.

Anyway, nice forum.

Bob.

 

[Susquatch]

Welcome Bob!

London is just an hours drive East of me. Feel free to pop in. Send me a PM first. Not right now though. I'm in bed right now with a nasty cold my wife and I got a week ago.

I think people would love to see what you are doing. Everyone on here loves pictures!

Consider getting a Touch DRO and just using your existing scales with it. I think the same might apply to other DROs with a few minor modifications.

 

[boilerhouse]

Forum documentation is always good. It may help current members, it may help future members, and this may seem strange, but sometimes I have posted build or repair threads on forums, and later referenced them myself to answer some question that occurred to me.

 

[YYCHM]

Welcome from Calgary.

 

[TorontoBuilder]

welcome

 

[RAMoynihan]

Consider getting a Touch DRO and just using your existing scales with it. I think the same might apply to other DROs with a few minor modifications.

I thought of that, but the little DRO I've been using for a while has dedicated sensors that I don't think will work with the TouchDRO. But, anyhow, I already purchased the new hardware as a present to myself for Christmas... 2023!. Just getting around to this job now.

 

[RAMoynihan]

Thanks for the welcome, guys. I'll create a new thread for this project and post some 'before' pics.

 

[Dan Dubeau]

Welcome Bob. Absolutely document, and post up about it. Best way is to just dive in around here and create a thread with lots of pics. I'm pretty curious about these DRO's, so I'd be interested.

 

[140mower]

Welcome from Lillooet BC. As you can tell, we like pictures and write ups around here.

 

[whydontu]

Welcome from Vancouver!

 

[6.5 Fan]

Welcome from SK.

 

[CWret]

Welcome aboard. Enjoy the ride, I'm sure you will.
Sure, let us see what you are up to - with pictures please!

FYI - here’s my DRO x axis install and the x travel limit switch bracket



Originally the scale was at the rear but (as you said), it steals y travel. In my case I inadvertently also blocked the oiler ball

At the front i have oiler ball access by moving the table a bit

Also, (FWIW) here’s my y axis gib locks with easy access at the front:

 

[1018Machine]

From another Londoner, welcome Bob! Lets see the pics!

 

[RAMoynihan]

Lets see the pics!

I started a New thread.