I bought this 3 axis DRO kit about 5 years ago, got...uh, busy with other things, & it sat in a box for 4 years 364 days.

One of the biggest drawbacks to the mini-mills is the 16 tpi leadscrews.... that means .0625" per revolution of the handles. Getting accurate positioning especially over long travels is a HUGE pain. This kit instantly changes the machine from a PITA to a joy to use. Kinda wish I had done it sooner. lol

Wasn't exactly cheap.... think I paid over $300 for it, but man is it worth it. A few pix...











Still gotta tidy up the wiring & other little details.

Best money I ever spent!

Hell, if you only paid $300 for it and it came with scales....you did great.

MM

if you keep it light, & take your time.

Here's a couple of pix of making scope collar parts for this project....http://www.network54.com/Forum/451309/message/1243263254/Bushy+8-32+++8%26quot%3B+wheel%2C+5-8%26quot%3B+separation+between+50-55





Have to admit tho... I wouldn't even attempt it without the DRO.

chips aren't a problem?

Chips aren't a problem, liquid might be. I have to make some covers for the scales. The original rubber accordian thing won't fit any more.

noticed that the "sendors" looked very similar to my digital calipers. This got me thinking that I could buy a 3 digital calipers and mount them to my mill/drill to kinda function like a DRO. I guess it would be kinda clumsy to keep track of 3 separate readouts but it would certainly be better than what I'm doing now.

Currently I have an old Harbor Freight round column mill/drill so I'll need to get a minimill with a dovetail column if I expect to get a "Z" axis readout, but I could still get "X" & "Y" readouts for the table.

By the way, what are your thoughts about cutting oils and such getting in gizmos if I mounted digital calipers like I mentioned?

Also.....LOL, your rotary table is as large as the mill table! :c(=)

Digtal calipers are the exact same thing as my scales, but with jaws..... they'll work fine. Might have some issues mounting them to where you can read the displays.

Yeah, cutting fluids will be a problem, I have to make some covers. I'm actually thinking heavy duty tin foil could work.

You might try searching Ebay for scales & a readout.... the scales are real cheap, the readout is $150 or so.

Good luck.

Adam in SoCal
AKA WalkOnKing