Lathe dro install

[LRSbm146]

Spent the last couple nights installing a dro on my lathe. The x axis went on the chuck side because it was straight forward fit up. The tailstock side would have interfered with carriage and cross slide locks. Z axis went on easy and the drag chain keeps everything neat. Just have to mount the guards.

 

[MrHermit]

Could you share some information about what you ordered and from where? This is on my list of potential projects.
Thanks

 

[LRSbm146]

Here’s a screenshot from Amazon but the vendor is fasttobuy. Think I would have saved a couple dollars if I ordered directly. To my door in the Edmonton area total cost was $546 plus another $25 for the drag chain and used the aluminum I already had.
This is my first experience with dro’s and scales.... the display seems good so far but haven’t had a chance to try it yet, just verify that everything was working. Glass scales seem ok as well maybe a little bit cheap feeling. The end caps where all the mounting takes place kind of feel like the chrome plated parts in a plastic model kit. Definitely don’t over torque on those. The included hardware looked like a random handful from the metric screw bin. I still have to install a couple cable hold downs and the guards. The guards that came with the kit will work with a little trimming.

 

[PeterT]

DRO install is looking good!

On a completely different note, @Dabbler was just talking about tailstock lever clamp direction &I forgot to snap a pic. He is from the 'pull back to clamp' team. I always assumed the peg in the casting was the resting point to slide, so I've been in the 'push forward to clamp' team. Maximum clamp occurs at 12:00 pos +/- setup on this particular lathe so guess it matters not.

 

[Dabbler]

I think you need to losen your nut about 1/2 turn. Then try to clamp by moving backward, and see if the lever goes to horizontal, It should help engage the clamp nearer top dead centre. Yes, I know - make it tighter by losening the nut, yousay!

 

[LRSbm146]

Guards trimmed and installed

 

[neer724]

Nice clean install!

Question - I assume you got the ToAuto DRO from fasttobuy. When you configure the DRO to Lathe-2 mode, does your calculator work? I could not get mine to work, I emailed to and they said their "Engineers" said to set it to Mill-2 Axis and change the x-axis resolution to 10 microns from 5 so I get the diameter readings. Not the best solution as you lose 1 decimal accuracy.

 

[Darren]

Very nice!

 

[LRSbm146]

Thanks @neer724
Not sure if I will be able to help...
So far I’ve only had the display on a couple of times and it was just to see that it was reading the scales.
I copied and pasted the link fasttobuy sent me to the digital manual. There’s no mention of machine type and rad/dia mode is toggled on/off in a pop up menu...
seems kind of strange that changing the machine type and resolution is the fix for no calculator.

LCD DRO manual.pdf

1 file sent via WeTransfer, the simplest way to send your files around the world

we.tl

 

[neer724]

Thanks for the manual. I have the older model (i.e. none LCD version). It looks like they fixed this in the new version...

 

[Susquatch]

Thanks @neer724
Not sure if I will be able to help...
So far I’ve only had the display on a couple of times and it was just to see that it was reading the scales.
I copied and pasted the link fasttobuy sent me to the digital manual. There’s no mention of machine type and rad/dia mode is toggled on/off in a pop up menu...
seems kind of strange that changing the machine type and resolution is the fix for no calculator.

LCD DRO manual.pdf

1 file sent via WeTransfer, the simplest way to send your files around the world

we.tl

I would LOVE to read that manual. Sooooo many questions. Could you please share the actual PDF? My security system will not allow a download from that site as it has been identified with security breaches in the past. Dropbox works if you have an account. I don't know if the forum supports zip files or pdfs directly. But maybe PM's do.

Perhaps @Janger can tell us how to do it best.

 

[Susquatch]

Guards trimmed and installed

I am very impressed by your install. Very clean & well protected. My lathe will be getting a DRO at some point in the future but I want to do my mill first. Both are high on my priority list but I have not pulled the trigger yet. I almost ordered from ALI but they jacked me around too much and I lost confidence. Still looking for something comparable in features and pricing.

Wondering why you didn't put a scale on your compound?

 

[Hacker]

Nice looking install.

 

[LRSbm146]

@Susquatch I’ll have to see if I can post another link to the manual.. might be easier for me to email to someone that has more experience than I do. Hahaha

Definitely plan on including the compound eventually. I don’t have a milling machine so the compound comes off occasionally for some basic milling on the lathe.
Before I started all of this I watched pretty much all of the dropros videos... this display is really meant for a mill but it has a couple of lathe functions added like dia/rad mode and really that’s it but the milling features look pretty solid as fas as hole patterns, arcs, slopes... all looks pretty easy to use.
Reading the translated manual, I think you can mix the compound but it looks pretty confusing compared to dropros displays.
Long story short...
If and when I get a mill this display will go there and will be looking for a new display and installing a compound scale.

 

[YYCHM]

@Susquatch I’ll have to see if I can post another link to the manual.. might be easier for me to email to someone that has more experience than I do. Hahaha

Definitely plan on including the compound eventually. I don’t have a milling machine so the compound comes off occasionally for some basic milling on the lathe.
Before I started all of this I watched pretty much all of the dropros videos... this display is really meant for a mill but it has a couple of lathe functions added like dia/rad mode and really that’s it but the milling features look pretty solid as fas as hole patterns, arcs, slopes... all looks pretty easy to use.
Reading the translated manual, I think you can mix the compound but it looks pretty confusing compared to dropros displays.
Long story short...
If and when I get a mill this display will go there and will be looking for a new display and installing a compound scale.

If you have the PDF, you can post it here. Use Attach files.

 

[PeterT]

I had DRO on my compound. Over the years I found it to be more of a nice to have vs. need to have. But everyone's jobs are different & for the price these days, why not. The real estate starts to get a bit busier, but not insurmountable. I've been wondering out loud, whenever I make a solid toolpost, how often the compound itself will even reside on the lathe. Such are the deep issues that vex us LOL.

What do you mean 'mix the compound'?

 

[LRSbm146]

@PeterT The dropros video shows the compound as “x prime” and has a streamlined menu/screen that allows you to set the compound angle. it “mixes” the x-prime value into the x/y readout.
If that makes sense

 

[YYCHM]

@Susquatch The LCD DRO manual

 

[Susquatch]

@Susquatch The LCD DRO manual

Holy Crap @YYCHM . You broke the pdf up to make it FIT! That was a LOT OF WORK! I'm very impressed and very grateful!

Thank you!

 

[LRSbm146]

Last weekend’s project, and the first one using the digital readout. Was more milling than turning but it all happened on the lathe.