DRO for an old Myford

[Will_D]

At last I have decided to upgrade my old ML7.

She dates from 1948-49 and so is actually older than me (by 2 or 3 years).

First upgrade was a clutch unit off of the 'bay. Brilliant job. Saves so much switching the motor on and off. I assume the motor is prolly of the same vintage and don't want to burn it out.

So for Christmas the wife bought me [no she is not psychic - I just buy the stuff and show her the box and thank her profusley for her wisdom] a dro kit from machine-dro. I had already bought the Easson LCD kit for my Sieg X2 and was very happy with that. [no connection with them - just a satisfied customer!]

So it was just a 2 axis non-lcd display:

http://www.machine-dro.co.uk/easson-8a-2x-2-axis-digital-readout-display-console.html

and the encoders are the magnetcic ones:

http://www.machine-dro.co.uk/hobby-readout-systems/magnetic-encoders.html

Now these are 2 part non-contact encoders. Very small and easy to fit with ip67 protection.

After much pro-crastination I eventually took the plunge and decided to fit them.

It would mean drilling holes in the lathe!

[Will_D]

So first job was the carriage axis:

The back of the ML7 has a machined surface for the taper turning attachment. Unbelieveably the supplied aluminium extrusion had the mounting holes predrilled at the exact same pitch! They were drilled for 6 mm button head screws (supplied) but the threads are 1/4" bsf, some csk cap screws were skimmed down slightly and the extrusion was fitted!

3 screws will do the job as there is no contact! No need for jack screws and all the rest associated with optical/glass one piece scales

[Will_D]

The extrussion is then fitted with the magnetic encoder strip and a ss cover:

And then 2 lengths of o-ring rubber seals the lot up

[Will_D]

The reading head is fitted to a bit of 3mm ally and fixed to the carriage:

Now becacause this is a non-contact set-up we have a little lee-way so its pretty simples really

[Will_D]

Now for the cross-slide:

Rather than upset the gib screws and the carriage lock I fitted the extrusion on the front face of the cross slide.
Yes I may have lost 1" of travel to the spindel nose but I have never worked that close to the nose!

Again the extrussion was a perfect fit! It was JUST smaller than the height of the cross slide. So its just cleat of the top face and the carriage!

Two holes were drilled and tapped into the cross clide and thats how I mounted the extrusion on the slide.

Again a bit of ally was used to mount the transducer and fitted using the existing felt wiper screw holes! Simples!

Again the tolerance of the magnetic pickup made this a very simple operation.

Btw: I did check out all the motions with a dial gauge!

[Will_D]

And after about 6 hours work here she is in all her new updated 21st Century glory:

[Pete.]

Nicely done.

The reason people don't fit the DRO scales to the left of the cross-slide is because it tends to get whipped to death by swarf or plastered with any cutting oil/coolant/wd40 you might use when turning. I would seriously re-consider that placement or fit a robust guard over it.

[mexican jon]

Nicely done.

The reason people don't fit the DRO scales to the left of the cross-slide is because it tends to get whipped to death by swarf or plastered with any cutting oil/coolant/wd40 you might use when turning. I would seriously re-consider that placement or fit a robust guard over it.

I would agree  if he was using glass scales  but as he is magnetic and the pick ups are sealed and rated IP67 submersion in water it should be fine 

[raynerd]

Hi Will_D
Nice work. I have a boxford and had the same predicament. I too mounted to the front, there was just no way to fit it to the rear side without excessive brackets and fittings. I'm pleased with my set up. It has a full cover over it and I've had no issues with travel. I fitted a quick change tool post as without excessive reach, I could still work right up to a faceplate with ease (not that I'd need to).

The slop in my dials is now totally irrelevant with the new scales in place - it has transformed my machine. I hope you enjoy using yours. Thanks for posting.

Chris

[Xldevil]

Hello.
My solution for the cross slide scale is this one.
I made some kind of extension.

[Pete.]

I had to do similar with my milling machine. There was no other way around it without losing a heck of a lot of y-axis travel.

[Jonny]

Far better way Xdevil but that will need serious bracing up.
Mines partially that way.

Assume op not ever going to use travelling steady or work large items. Swarf will collect in that channel no matter how well protected and rip o ring to shreds. Mine are two part scales from M Dro 2010 totally sealed.
Last concern is that 5 micron readout same as mine and not entirely repeatable, causes me plenty of grief to the extent don't trust at all when close to size required. You will find out when screw cutting to size no play.