DRO for mill recommendation?

[junkaddict]

Have a Frejoth Bridgeport clone, and it is time for a DRO. Don’t want the cheapest, or to break the bank on this one. What are you guys using?

[jmarkwolf]

I use DroPros with magnetic scales on my mill and lathe. They work every bit as well as the Accurite I had on a machine at work.

My mill DRO was originally installed on a round column table-top mill, then transplanted to an old Bridgeport, then transplanted to my new Acer 3VSII (with increasingly longer scales). Been going well over 10 years now without a blip.

[Doozer]

I am going to by 2 or 3 DROs in the near future,
so I want something decent without the price of
a Newall or Accurite. I have seriously been considering
SHARS brand DROs. They are glass scale, and I
have watched videos about shortening them, if
the need presents itself. I was thinking SHARS has been
around a little while, and their support is good. By support
I mean, they are going to be around so I can buy a new
scale or readout if something should die.
DRO PROs seems like a smaller outfit. I am unsure if they
will be around as long as SHARS maybe, in case I need
a new part.

-Doozer

[MrWhoopee]

Five years ago I bought the most economical DRO I could find on Aliexpress. I had no expectations about parts or support. No regrets

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832534763300.html

[wierdscience]

I got Accurite,Ditron and the cheapest on Amazon. They all work good and have been in daily use for quite awhile. The back light has gone out on the Accurite, so the display is really dim, but still usable.

On a lathe it doesn't matter, but on a mill I like having a LCD/LED display over the conventional display. Things like bolt circles are easier if you can simply plug in your settings and then toggle to a display showing the layout and current position.

[Randy]

Take a look at TouchDRO too. Buy whatever scales you want, then use their Bluetooth module to connect wirelessly to an Android tablet. Lots of features, customizable. Mark Presling and Blondihacks have YT videos on their installations.

[DennisCA]

I have been meaning for some time to put my high quality but only two axis Heidenhain DRO on my lathe and get a cheap 3-axis one for the mill. I certainly cannot afford any Heidenhain stuff!

[RSG]

I have DRO PROs on my machines. I like the product and their service. Twelve years after installing the lathe model the power board became glitchy. I called asking about it and they shipped up a new one free of charge. That's great service if you ask me.

[Doozer]

Take a look at TouchDRO too. Buy whatever scales you want, then use their Bluetooth module to connect wirelessly to an Android tablet. Lots of features, customizable. Mark Presling and Blondihacks have YT videos on their installations.

Why would anyone want to turn an android tablet into a DRO ? ? ?
Sounds kind of rediculous.

-D

[J Tiers]

Why would anyone want to turn an android tablet into a DRO ? ? ?
Sounds kind of rediculous.

-D

Because it is available, cheap, touch-screen, and upgradeable by software.

[Doozer]

Define cheap.
Don't post a portrait.

-Doozer

[mattthemuppet]

I bought a similar 2 axis DRO to MrWhoopee a couple of years back and I'll be getting a 3 axis one for my mill in a bit. Has more functions than I've ever figured out how to use and does exactly what I ask of it. The seller (Shenzhen DRO on Aliexpress, from memory) sent me too long a scale, but it was easy to cut down with an angle grinder.

[thin-woodsman]

Take a look at TouchDRO too. Buy whatever scales you want, then use their Bluetooth module to connect wirelessly to an Android tablet. Lots of features, customizable..

I was just looking at Touch DROs over the weekend, planning on giving it a try with the iGaging DROs I have on theTaig before actually installing a DRO system on the Bridgie (yep, been doing all my work with dials and careful layout).

Any idea how good old tablets are with the newer versions? I see requirements for Android 4 and it seems too good to be true. And with the Touch DRO app now in the Amazon store, a $30 old Kindle Fire off ebay sounds like it would fit the bill nicely.

[Hopsteiner]

I bought a Three axis from Tpactools on eBay, about $425. You can check my installation on my Round Ram under hopsteiner.

[burdickjp]

I've had 2 touchDRO installs and they're fantastic to operate, especially compared to anything out of China. I especially like the tool table and work offset capability.