Improvements to lathe

[FAT-TOY]

   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.


  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.


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.



This one I store just at the back of the lathe and it fits in place in a couple of seconds.

   Zane

[tony27]

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

[FAT-TOY]

  Yes Tony that's a trap for young players.

[KTM47]

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.

[Hoony]

clever thinking. also a project in itself. i like it.

[YZ250H]

That's a great Idea Zane.  Permission to use it 

[FAT-TOY]

 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

[Momus]

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.

[80-85 husky]

Wish i had a lathe....

[dont]

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 ?

[FAT-TOY]

 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

[shelpi]

good stuff Zane

[pmc57]

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.