OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => Tech Talk => Topic started by: FAT-TOY on March 28, 2018, 08:08:59 pm
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Being self taught machinist I have always struggled using the dual calibrated dials I find that I tend to creep up on the finished size rather than trust them. I would like to fit a proper digital readout but they are a bit to expensive for me at the moment. So over the last couple of days I have converted a pair of cheap verniers (digital calipers) into a home made DRO for the tailstock and longitudinal movement on my lathe. They can be zeroed and then measure the movement the same as a shop bought DRO but at a cost so far of less than $20 for them both. I will be fitting one to the cross slide as soon as my new set of verniers arrive from China.
(https://i.imgur.com/owKzMKC.jpg)
This one is fitted using a aluminium block which I made using my Milling machine and then securing the readout section of the verniers onto a plate screwed to the tailstock body with good old Stikaflec.
(https://i.imgur.com/awEma68.jpg)
This one is removable and only used when needed. It secures itself to the carriage using rare earth magnets and the readout is mounted on another aluminium block which I milled so that it fits neatly onto the lathe bed and is held in place with more of the same magnets.
(https://i.imgur.com/4rOtLw2.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/HuxdmOf.jpg)
This one I store just at the back of the lathe and it fits in place in a couple of seconds.
Zane
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Don't forget that on the cross-slide you're indicating half what you're actually taking off, came across a lathe that had the dials reading on radius rather than diameter which is really unusual
Good way of getting a DRO on a small lathe, only downsides are screensize & visibility
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Yes Tony that's a trap for young players.
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Just buy some digitial readouts for your lathe. I think they are about $400.00. You can also set the readout to read diameter also. Just like a CNC lathe.
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clever thinking. also a project in itself. i like it.
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That's a great Idea Zane. Permission to use it ;D ;D
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Hi YZ,
Go ahead, not my invention, just saw it somewhere and thought it was a good idea. I had already fitted a similar product to my Mill so I new that it works.
KT, I would love to fit a proper DRO to the lathe but I can find more pressing needs for $400 or $500. That would allow me to fit an electronic ignition to one of my bikes, plus paint etc to complete a couple more tanks and maybe a ctn of cheap Aldi beer.
Zane
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Good work Zane. Keep those verniers dry.
I like to use a 25 mm travel dial gauge on a strong magnetic base when coming down on diameters rather than trust a well used saddle and cross slide.
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Wish i had a lathe.... :(
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Good work Zane. Keep those verniers dry.
I like to use a 25 mm travel dial gauge on a strong magnetic base when coming down on diameters rather than trust a well used saddle and cross slide.
My vote is this. 100% reliable, I have a digital vernier and every so often it jumps its reading ????
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Yes Marcus keeping them dry is a priority. Another positive with using these type of measuring tool is they eliminate the dial backlash that you have in most used lathes.
Zane
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good stuff Zane
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Good work Zane. Keep those verniers dry.
I like to use a 25 mm travel dial gauge on a strong magnetic base when coming down on diameters rather than trust a well used saddle and cross slide.
My vote is this. 100% reliable, I have a digital vernier and every so often it jumps its reading ????
Agree, best way to be very accurate on diameters and lengths, I used this method years ago pre DRO's and was able to achieve < +/-0.001" (0.025mm) tolerances.