Thread: DRO Advice

Ideally when milling you want the quill to be as 'un-extended' as possible for rigidity. For that reason I would put the z scale on the column (remembering that it is round and so can rotate - a method of stopping that will be needed) and put an independant scale on the quill when using it as a drill.

Michael

Michael, isn't the HM46 column square?

Yes I agree I wouldn't want to extend the quill any more than needed(square Column) It just is kind of akward to move the column(also not easy to control depth with precision and then relighted the column screws because you do obviously lose a small amount of accuracy especially if the job is already lined up with a accurate feature

I did a DRO install and documented here: https://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/md45-hm46-rf45-dro-install-requested-169053

Many thanks I will take a look

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Michael, isn't the HM46 column square?

For some reason I thought round - don't know why. Should have checked.
Sorry.

Michael

Originally Posted by Maxi77

Hi Guys,
I'm looking to buy a DRO such as the ones the drostore sell on eBay

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/252044673...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

My Mill/drill is an HM-46 from Hare & Forbes
My questions are what is the usual setup in regards to the Z axis. Is it advisable to put in on the quill or column or put it on the column and get the little stand alone vernier type reader for the quill? Any ideas or thought appreciated.
Cheers Max

Some DRO let you add the readings of two scales and show the result on one display. On my mill (different make from yours) I have installed two Z scales. On on the quill, the other on the column. The DRO is setup to add/substract the two scales. The DRO display always shows me to position of the spindle nose, regardless if I move only the quill or only the column or both. I find this very handy and easy to use, for me its THE ideal Z-setup. I use the Shumatech DRO-550, it is a DRO that you buy as a kit and assemble yourself.

All the DROs I've seen with the double Z scales only have it in lathe mode. Which seemed a little silly, maybe none of them had sockets for the 4th scale.

Has anyone made a box that can go between two scales and a DRO to do the same thing on a three scale head?

Stuart

G'day Max, most of the machines I've seen like this have the DRO on the knee, and have a separate and inexpensive self-contained scale on the quill. Something like this http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/M733 The Z axis is not as critical as the other two, indeed I don't even have a digital Z readout on my mill. If I was re-installing one I would definitely put one on of course, but it's not as critical as the other 2 axis.

Thanks guys,
Cba i will look into that DRO you use, upon research i have seen mention of the 2 "Z" readouts which give the readout at the spindle which would be ideal?
Pete, If i just do the standard 3 axis with the Column Dro thats the type of readout i will be getting for the drop.
Thanks fellas Ah decisions, decisions Not the cheapest investment but I have never heard anyone say they regret or it hasn't made milling easier and with less mistakes.

Doing a search turned up this unit

http://www.machine-dro.co.uk/m-dro-l...interface.html

Has anyone used this unit? Would it be compatible with the drostore gear?
Thanks Max

Honestly Max, I would go with the Singapore option. Yes it's relatively expensive, but I haven't had any issues with mine and it's a tried and proven method of measuring. Once you have a DRO you will NEVER go back, indeed will probably wonder to yourself why you took so long to buy it!

I've combined a machine-dro.co.uk magnetic scale with a drostore readout and that worked alright. The box does not look like it is doing anything rocket science like, so I think it is probably more a question of what would stop it working.
I side more with Pete and suggest an independant readout on the quill, if only to start with. You can always by the trick box and another scale later if that that is too awkward - but I really have trouble thinking of an operation where you have no alternative than to move both quill and Z at once requiring a real time indication of the DOC.

Micahel

Thanks Fellas,
Well I think the decision is made, get the 3 axis DRO and use an independent digital vertical scale for the quill.
I guess Micahel you could get the column to the desired height and zero then use the quill if needed. You always have options of zero
on both Z axis. I assume there is an origin set on the Z Column Dro as well.
Pete, as with everything we purchase to make life easier we wonder why we waited so long to do it. QCTP comes to mind!