X axis locks

[DPittman]

The way I mounted the x axis dro scale on my milling machine eliminated access to one of the two axis locks. I can not get onto the right hand bolt lock seen in the picture.
So I have been only locking the left hand one when needed but notice my Y axis gets a bit stiffer when I do this. Am I correct in assuming that the Y axis normal not be affected by the X axis lock?

 

[Brent H]

@DPittman : on my Bridgeport I only have one x axis lock and engaging it only affects the X axis (basically jams the gib into the dovetail. The Y axis is not affected by this at all.

Perhaps there is a slight twist in the table that occurs when you are engaging that is slightly misaligning the Y axis?

 

[PeterT]

You probably don't want to hear this after the fact, but I came to conclusion DRO scale/encoder was better suited to rear of table. It doesn't interfere with locks or switch (or in my case, custom table stop). The table travel terminates in Y direction before scale stuff could bump column. And scale stuff its protected under the rubber flap hinged on the column. Might not be enough check marks in favor of moving it but just providing food for thought.

 

[DPittman]

You probably don't want to hear this after the fact, but I came to conclusion DRO scale/encoder was better suited to rear of table. It doesn't interfere with locks or switch (or in my case, custom table stop). The table travel terminates in Y direction before scale stuff could bump column. And scale stuff its protected under the rubber flap hinged on the column. Might not be enough check marks in favor of moving it but just providing food for thought.

Well that certainly would solve my access problem to the locks. I don't remember if I had a good reason not to put the scales at the rear, I suspect it was because I was afraid of reduced travel and/or that was how I saw someone else do it, and/or it seemed simpler at the time. It's something I might need to rethink.

 

[YYCHM]

Locking the X-Axis will twitch both the X and Y DRO reading up to 0.0002 on my mill. I'd move that X-Axis scale to the back of the table.

 

[Tom O]

On the Craftex I put mine on the rear using magnetic scales that are thinner than the other types you do lose a good inch but the loss of travel hasn’t been a problem

 

[Susquatch]

The way I mounted the x axis dro scale on my milling machine eliminated access to one of the two axis locks. I can not get onto the right hand bolt lock seen in the picture.

I've been looking at alternatives to mount DROs on my Hartford Step Pulley Clone and my Drill/Mill. It seemed like a no brainer to put it at the rear until I realized that might limit my Y travel or damage the scale. So I decided to put it on the front. I didn't like that either so I as of right now I plan to put it in the back but lose a little Y travel by installing a stop.

A wise man changes his mind often?

Perhaps that is why you mounted it in the front.....

 

[YYCHM]

I've been looking at alternatives to mount DROs on my Hartford Step Pulley Clone and my Drill/Mill. It seemed like a no brainer to put it at the rear until I realized that might limit my Y travel or damage the scale. So I decided to put it on the front. I didn't like that either so I as of right now I plan to put it in the back but lose a little Y travel by installing a stop.

A wise man changes his mind often?

Perhaps that is why you mounted it in the front.....

Standard scales are approx 3/4" wide so you wouldn't loose much Y-Axis travel. The offshore vendors typically offer narrow scales as well. Your stop is a good idea. My vise ended up sticking out more than my scale so I have a built in stop of sorts.

 

[Susquatch]

My vise ended up sticking out more than my scale so I have a built in stop of sorts.

Never thought of that. I could easily setup my vise to act as a stop too! As long as that never made it move that is.....

I am planning to use magnetic scales even though they cost more. I like the durability and the thin profile.

 

[DPittman]

Never thought of that. I could easily setup my vise to act as a stop too! As long as that never made it move that is.....

I am planning to use magnetic scales even though they cost more. I like the durability and the thin profile.

Yes while my vise is certainly the first thing that limits Y travel, but when I need maximum Y travel, I would take the vise off and I don't want to loose the 1" my scales and cover take.

Right now they take 1.25" as seen in the picture because I was making my mounts work at the time and I wasn't worried about front travel.

 

[PeterT]

Maybe I spoke too soon. I snagged this picture at Modern & looks like the table can go way back. Now why I would be milling in that particular orientation I don't know, but never say never. A stop would be good just so you don't crunch the scale if that's possible. A Bridgeport style mill allows the head to be slid out towards you in Y (is that called the ram? I don't know) but my RF45 was fixed column style.

 

[Susquatch]

A Bridgeport style mill allows the head to be slid out towards you in Y (is that called the ram? I don't know) but my RF45 was fixed column style.

Yes, the forward backward top section is called the ram.

 

[Tom O]

You will hit the guard first that would make it the stop for manual cranking or a micro switch for power feeding.

 

[kevin.decelles]

@DPittman , I also mounted my scales on the front (same/similar mill), had the same reservations re: loss of table travel. @YYCHM had a valid point re: the vise is a natural stop.

I mounted my scales with a spacer to allow a wrench to pass behind, and I changed my x lock bolt to have a flat (grinder) so I could tighten it. I may relocate mine in the future