New DRO!

[SGW]

Well, I finally did it, after debating with myself for about 20 years whether or not to get a DRO. And I really did it -- an Acu-Rite DR 200M with 0.0002" resolution scales.

Initial impression upon opening the box was, "Acu-Rite sure knows how to pack stuff." More useful impressions/reports forthcoming as I get it installed and operational.

I bought it through Can-Do Machinery www.candomachinery.com for what I think was an excellent price discount off list, with excellent service. (Usual disclaimers.)

[Smokedaddy]

Sure would like to see some pictures installing it if possilbe. Just curious, was that a 3 axis? Isn't the res 0.0005?

-SD:

[nheng]

Nice choice. I've got a DR200T and they are first class units. Acu-rite tech support understands their products and there is full on-line support including manuals for all products.

The multiple tool settings are real handy when using a qctp on the lathe. I suppose they would be great on a mill too if you're using switchable tooling.

I think your unit has an optional edge finder input. May be a simple switch input?

[MikeHenry]

SGW,

Were the 0.0002" scales an option/add-on? On Cando's web site they only claim 0.0005" resolution.

I'm using a Shooting Star now on a Clausing 8520 and have been reasonably happy with it but would like to upgrade if I can ever convince myself that the better resolution and features are worth the cost.

Mike

[nheng]

Mike, One quick experiment which you can try is to put a tenths indicator on the axis you want to "evaluate". Did this on my lathe this past weekend and found out how much flex metal can have

Even if it seems too touchy, more digits are still good though because you'll know that your 0.0005" is closer to 0.0005" than 0.0010" ... without playing with backlash in the movement.

Den

[jim davies]

Wow...and here I am sitting with a brand new in the box 200M setup I am dithering about putting on Ebay...

[SGW]

I spent the extra bucks for the 0.0002" resolution scales. Can-Do Machinery put together a custom package for me, which I needed anyway because I needed scale lengths not available in the off-the-shelf packages. (24" X, 8" Y)

[3 Phase Lightbulb]

I installed a QMS 400 DRO on my Clausing 6913 14x48" lathe. I've got pictures of the custom brackets and installation if anyone wants to see. I'll have to hunt around for them.

-Adrian

[MikeHenry]

Den,

I'll try that. It was pretty sobering to put a Starrett 199 level on my old Craftsman 12x36 lathe and see the effect of leaning on the apron.

SGW,

Does that DRO have offsets for tool diameter? That would be one feature that might sell me.

Mike

[SGW]

Yeah, the DRO 200M has tool offsets, bolt hole circles, ABS/INC, inch/metric, centerline, mirroring, scaling. It doesn't have linear bolt patterns (arrays), but I didn't see that as a serious drawback. I expect I'll mostly do plain old X-Y coordinates, anyway.

I'm still sorting out the mounting business, so I haven't tried out any of this. Mounting would be a heck of a lot easier on, say, a Bridgeport; there's a custom mounting package for that. Mounting a DRO on some random milling machine gets pretty involved. It all looks do-able, it will just take a while to figure out exactly how I want to do it.

If you go to the Acu-Rite website www.acu-rite.com and poke around, you can find the DRO 200M user's manual.

[MikeHenry]

SGW,

Thanks - just downloaded the manuals for most of the displays & scales to look over in detail.

The manuals look pretty well done and I see some features that would be real handy.

It will be interesting to see how the installation goes.

Mike

[Excitable Boy]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by jim davies:
Wow...and here I am sitting with a brand new in the box 200M setup I am dithering about putting on Ebay...</font>

Hey Jim, is this a unit that might fit a Bridgeport? How much do you want for it?


------------------
Pursue Excellence and the rest will follow.

[jim davies]

Yes, I believe that is what it is for...I can get the exact dimensions if you want.

Seems to me I paid $650 US plus shipping for each of two units last year on Ebay. Got them from a distributor in Utah. Both were brand new, unopened boxes.

I put one on my Taiwan kneemill after getting AcuRite to exchange the glass scales for shorter ones. I have been thinking about putting the other one on my 12X36 lathe. Have to either buy one smaller scale or shorten one...

Let me know if interested.