Thread: DROs

Hey Simon,
I dont know much about much but I did read that Big Shed implemented this system on his mill.
Looks like it works well. SOmething I was thinking of doing.
https://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/poor-mans-dro-156791

Also, I think they are the same as hafco's...check the specs
http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/D665

I have these style scales on my mill, (X2) but not 600mm long.
A quick check shows that the 200mm scale is actually 290mm long and the 300mm scale is 420mm long. I've a longer scale for the Z access but not yet installed so can't check it (can't find it!)
The sensor block is about 60mm long so subtract that from the usable area.
Mine have been modified to remove the LCD display and battery as per a Yahoo group posting by cba_melbourne who's a member here.
The scales are connected to a Shumatech DIY DRO which supplies the necessary power.

Not sure if this actually helps you other than to confirm that the useable scale area is longer than that stated on the box.

EDIT: Should have stated that my scales are a different design to the ones in your post and have the display built into the scale the same as the digital callipers.

Simon, I installed the one from ozmestore, bought 1 x1000mm and 2 x600mm.

They work very well indeed. I have glass scales on my lathe and these work just as well.

I have seen readouts for the LCD scales like the one from ozmestore that incorporate 3 readouts in 1 readout display, but can't remember where I saw it!

Having these DROs on your mill or lathe totally changes how you work, I couldn't imagine being without them anymore.

The other day I had to drill a series of holes, in horizontal and vertical lines, rather than having to mark them all out, I just marked out the first one and the rest were all referenced back to that one, quick and (more importantly) very accurate.

I might add that I have bought several items from this seller and have always had prompt answrs to any questions and very quick service. At one stage I had ordered 6 of an item but only received 5, dashed off a quick email and missing item was despatched same day, no questions asked.
Only saying this because there have been a few negative comments about this seller lately and wanted to relate my positive experiences.

Originally Posted by oohsam

Hey Simon,
I dont know much about much but I did read that Big Shed implemented this system on his mill.
Looks like it works well. SOmething I was thinking of doing.
https://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/poor-mans-dro-156791

Also, I think they are the same as hafco's...check the specs
http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/D665

Thanks!

That's the thread I remember and was thinking of.

Simon

I've got some igaging DROs (the maker of grizzly and these cheap DROs). Worked great for me.

They are sitting in the cupboard now because I've done a CNC conversion. If you are interested in second hand I can dig them out and verify travel (can't recall exact length). I think my X was 700 overall length, so should do 600 travel. What travel for Y?

Also check out
http://www.yuriystoys.com
A guy has made an android app that interfaces with the scales via a cheap microcontroller to give a fully featured DRO.

Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

I have these style scales on my mill, (X2) but not 600mm long.
A quick check shows that the 200mm scale is actually 290mm long and the 300mm scale is 420mm long. I've a longer scale for the Z access but not yet installed so can't check it (can't find it!)
The sensor block is about 60mm long so subtract that from the usable area.
Mine have been modified to remove the LCD display and battery as per a Yahoo group posting by cba_melbourne who's a member here.
The scales are connected to a Shumatech DIY DRO which supplies the necessary power.

Not sure if this actually helps you other than to confirm that the useable scale area is longer than that stated on the box.

EDIT: Should have stated that my scales are a different design to the ones in your post and have the display built into the scale the same as the digital callipers.

Hi. Thanks for the reply. The scales with the LCD display attached are basically the same as the remote LCD display, well same system anyway. I'll have a look at the DIY Shumatec display.

Simon

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Simon, I installed the one from ozmestore, bought 1 x1000mm and 2 x600mm.

They work very well indeed. I have glass scales on my lathe and these work just as well.

I have seen readouts for the LCD scales like the one from ozmestore that incorporate 3 readouts in 1 readout display, but can't remember where I saw it!

Having these DROs on your mill or lathe totally changes how you work, I couldn't imagine being without them anymore.

The other day I had to drill a series of holes, in horizontal and vertical lines, rather than having to mark them all out, I just marked out the first one and the rest were all referenced back to that one, quick and (more importantly) very accurate.

I might add that I have bought several items from this seller and have always had prompt answrs to any questions and very quick service. At one stage I had ordered 6 of an item but only received 5, dashed off a quick email and missing item was despatched same day, no questions asked.
Only saying this because there have been a few negative comments about this seller lately and wanted to relate my positive experiences.

Hi Fred,

It was you who did that thread! Thanks for the info and feedback on the displays. The Z axis DRO I did on my mill revolutionized the Z axis use for me. I assume the affect will be similar on the X and Y axes.

Simon

Originally Posted by simonl

Hi. Thanks for the reply. The scales with the LCD display attached are basically the same as the remote LCD display, well same system anyway. I'll have a look at the DIY Shumatec display.

Simon

The Shumatech DROs (DRO-550 and DRO-375) are not available at the moment. There may be a pre-order you can place for the next time some are manufactured. Pity as they are quite good.

Having the same need for a low-cost DRO for my mill, I opted for the slightly more expensive system from Hare and Forbes.
Scales are available from 400mm up to 1000mm and have the display on the sliding read head, which is probably not too useful.
Coupled with this remote display, which I have mounted on a swiveling arm, I have a perfect view of the readouts. The blue back lit display is readable under any lighting conditions, and is battery driven or can use a 9 volt plug pack.
When connected to the display unit, the scales are powered from the display unit and their batteries can be removed.
The connecting cables for the scales are included with the display unit.

Originally Posted by jchappo

Having the same need for a low-cost DRO for my mill, I opted for the slightly more expensive system from Hare and Forbes.
Scales are available from 400mm up to 1000mm and have the display on the sliding read head, which is probably not too useful.
Coupled with this remote display, which I have mounted on a swiveling arm, I have a perfect view of the readouts. The blue back lit display is readable under any lighting conditions, and is battery driven or can use a 9 volt plug pack.
When connected to the display unit, the scales are powered from the display unit and their batteries can be removed.
The connecting cables for the scales are included with the display unit.

Thanks for posting that. I forgot that they were available. Well I have pulled the trigger on the Igaging 600mm scales. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Igaging-2...f5b9109&_uhb=1

It says 600mm but it's 600mm useable which means it must be about 700mm long. If I bought the Ozmestore one then I would have had to buy a 1000mm one. The Igaging was only $10 dearer delivered and comes with a few batteries and "claims" to have an "upgraded" user system with a couple of extra features.

I like those Shumatech kits. They look like a very good "compromise" for the more expensive Eason type DRO's. Maybe if I get bored and they come back in stock I may lash out and get a kit. In the meantime I'm sure I'll be chuffed at the usability of the DRO system I will get. If I get the bug, I may even put a system on the lathe, although I don't find the issue anywhere near as bad with the lathe.

I'm also glad I'm not the only one who can't justify the $500 for an Eason, TDS or a Meister!

Simon

This also caught my eye:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-Axis-X-...c487492&_uhb=1

It's relatively cheap but there is no info on the signal protocol or type of scales it's compatible with. I assume it must take the glass type scales but looking at the rear, it has what appear to be DIN plugs for the scales. All the glass scales I have seen have what appear to be DB9 serial connectors so who would know what your are buying? Changing the plugs over would be easy but something tells me that if the plugs are different then it's probably not compatible?

Simon

Hi Simon,
Joe has a android DRO, its way cool

The thing I would miss most not having a "real" DRO is the 1/2 function...... but really.......... its hardly hyper mathematics. Most of the other things I dont need or dont both using.

Stuart

Ah well, you acted a lot faster than I could type.... otherwise (and now for others - have a look at the prices here:
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/927893
Shahe is the manufacturer of these scales and their direct prices are au a bit lower. Once shipped, they are still a bit lower than OzMeStore who is more often than not the cheapest in Australia.

Stuart, the Yuriy Android DRO App now has the 1/2 function and few more, as well as a rev counter....