Anyone have suggestions about digital readouts for a lathe

CrossBone Cue

CrossBone Cue

AzB Silver Member
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In my opinion a good DRO is worth it's weight in gold and I don't think I would ever have a main building lathe without one in this day and age. That being said I wouldn't cheap out on one. There are many good ones for a lathe in the $800-1000 range. Acu-Rite, Newall and a few others come to mind. I think Mitituyo makes the best digital measuring products so I would look at them to. I have an old Mitituyo on my mill but it doesn't have all the features that my Acu-Rite on my lathe has.
 
Travis Niklich said:
In my opinion a good DRO is worth it's weight in gold and I don't think I would ever have a main building lathe without one in this day and age. That being said I wouldn't cheap out on one. There are many good ones for a lathe in the $800-1000 range. Acu-Rite, Newall and a few others come to mind. I think Mitituyo makes the best digital measuring products so I would look at them to. I have an old Mitituyo on my mill but it doesn't have all the features that my Acu-Rite on my lathe has.
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Years ago I bought two Sony Magnescales, and they still are golden for me. Regardless of brand I would suggest two things - 1) do NOT go "cheap". You don't have to go crazy (the Magnescales were $2500 each set, in the early 90's) but expect to pay in the price range Travis suggested if you want good quality. 2) Avoid "glass scales" if you can. They're fragile, and [I've heard] don't handle dust as well as magnetic scales.

Technology has undoubtedly improved since the 90's, spend a little extra and get something that will last YOU 20+ years.

TW

 
I am not sure if it is available where you are, but Easson make some really good gear at a good price point.
I prefer to have the micron cross slide and depending on what you are doing the 10 micron for the Z, but I prefer the micron scale for the Z axis. You can always reduce the resolution in the control, but can't increase the resolution if you need or want to.
The higher res scales do cost more, but not really that much more that it become prohibitive.
Neil
 
Randys install guide is better than any instructions I have seen for installing DRO's.
Well done Randy. It really should be a sticky or some easy way to link to it.
 
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