Cheap DRO

[MrWhoopee]

I've been offered a Trav-a-dial by the widow of an old friend. I was planning to mount it on my SB Heavy 10, but then I saw this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/24-Digital-Readout-DRO-Large-LCD-Readout-Scale-for-Bridgeport-Mill-Lathe/162733558212?hash=item25e3ad09c4:g:VBsAAOSwl9BWHDIz

I'm skeptical, but tempted. Anyone have experience?

[Magicniner]

They work but won't last as long as a Trav-a-Dial and don't give you the functions a DRO will, for instance - having multiple zeros on a DRO is a real boon on a lathe or mill,

- Nick

[MattiJ]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-AXIS-DRO-KIT-MILL-LATHE-MACHINE-DIGITAL-READOUT-WITH-LINEAR-SCALES-ENCODER/271948370652?epid=1371682166&hash=item3f5162d2dc:g:QE4AAOSwu4BVn3KX

Still quite cheap compared to what DRO's used to cost but 10000x usability compared to the DRO in OP's link.

[boslab]

Fit both, much more useful
Mark

[Punkinhead]

I've been offered a Trav-a-dial by the widow of an old friend. I was planning to mount it on my SB Heavy 10, but then I saw this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/24-Digital-Readout-DRO-Large-LCD-Readout-Scale-for-Bridgeport-Mill-Lathe/162733558212?hash=item25e3ad09c4:g:VBsAAOSwl9BWHDIz

I'm skeptical, but tempted. Anyone have experience?

I've tried to use the kind shown on your link a couple of times and am not impressed. I mounted one on the quill of my Bridgeport and another on the tailstock of my lathe. Very slow read rate and they eat batteries. The type posted by MattiJ work properly. I mounted a 2-axis kit on my lathe and it works as well as the Accurite on my Bridgeport.

[1-800miner]

I wasted some money on them too.

[Danl]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-AXIS-DRO-...4AAOSwu4BVn3KX

Still quite cheap compared to what DRO's used to cost but 10000x usability compared to the DRO in OP's link.

I have that exact model. I opted for the 1um linear encoders, $18 additional each. Manual in Chinglese. Overall, not really comparable to the $1000+ brand name units, but certainly better than a modified caliper version.

Dan L

[MrWhoopee]

Thanks, those are the answers I'm looking for. I learned to make parts on a Sheldon lathe with a 6 in. indicator for carriage travel. DRO's were expensive and rare. Simple is better for me, all the advanced features would (probably) go unused. I'm most concerned about accuracy, repeatability and durability. Looks like I could sell the Trav-a-dial and buy a decent DRO.

[old mart]

I have just taken one like the ebay one in the #1 post off of the Smart & Brown model A. It was unreliable to the point of not trusting it at all. It was also in the way of the newly reinstated taper turning attachment which is working very well.
We have a similar type with a built in vertical scale on the quill of the drill-mill which has always worked perfectly.
No muck got into the bad scale whilst in use, and since removing it and making sure it was clean inside and out, it still gives erratic readings.

[softtail]

Those scale's in the link from MattiJ look identical to the scales I got from DRO Pros.

[RWO]

I put this one on my lathe tailstock 2 years ago and I'm very happy with it: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

RWO

[J Tiers]

The trav-a-dial system seems to work, Do not have/use one myself, although I have been looking for one.

It covers the axis which is not covered by any other measuring device, and does not interfere with other operations. That would class it as useful, and worth your time to mount it.

[Lew Hartswick]

I put this one on my lathe tailstock 2 years ago and I'm very happy with it: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

RWO

Now that is interesting. individually less than $50. but three are nearly $200. :-)
...lew...

[BobinOK]

Look again the 3 in the group are all different lengths and price.

[MrWhoopee]

I just picked up the Trav-a-dial. It's a model 7A (metric and inch) with base and mounting bracket. Looks like mounting it might not be feasible on my SB. Besides, from what I'm seeing on eBay, it could bring enough to by a decent DRO with money leftover.