My Next Project - Meister 2 Axis DRO for my Lathe

[henryarnold]

I just took delivery of a Meister 2 Axis DRO for my 10x22 Lathe. I'm excited to finally have a DRO on my lathe. I've had good service from my Meister 3 axis DRO on my mill so I went with them again. I'll document the install for anyone that is interested. You might notice that the compound scale is extra small. They call these micro scales. It is a glass scale.
   

[Mayhem]

I'm interested in seeing this Henry. Just one question: is there any reason you are not installing one on the z axis? From what you have said/shown it looks like cross slide and compound are getting scales.

[Highpower]

Darren,

(06-25-2012, 10:56 PM)henryarnold Wrote: I just took delivery of a Meister 2 Axis DRO for my 10x22 Lathe.

Those look about right for a saddle and cross slide to me for that size lathe.

Willie

[Mayhem]

I was thinking that too Willie, until I read:

(06-25-2012, 10:56 PM)henryarnold Wrote: ...You might notice that the compound scale is extra small...

Perhaps saddle and compound only - no cross slide?

[Highpower]

OK Henry, spill the beans. We can't take the suspense!

[EdK]

That was likely a slip of the tongue and he meant cross slide instead of compound. It would be a strange combination otherwise but I'm sure he'll fill us in.

Ed

[Dave J]

They look about the right size for that lathe, remember it's 22 between centres, but that doesn't mean the carriage travels that far. My 900mm centre lathe only has a carriage travel of around 760mm.

I fitted a MS5 micro scale to my compound around 5-6 years ago and it's doing fine, I know yours is going on the cross slide but they are just as strong and reliable as the standard size ones.

Look forward to your pictures.
   
Dave

[EdK]

Dave,

I'm going to show my ignorance here, but what's the scale on the compound used for? Or put another way, what type of operation would benefit from having a scale on the compound?

Thanks,
Ed

[f350ca]

Ed
In my opinion the compound is useless unless you have a scale on it. You align the compound to the bed, then sum the compound and carriage scales. When machining to a shoulder or facing the compound acts as a fine feed. The head on my Colchester simply sums them but you can unplug the compound scale and just read the carriage movement, the Fagor on my Summit lathe allows you to see the sum, the compound or the carriage. On the Summit the carriage weighs a few hundred pounds, hard to move it 1 or 2 thou at a shoulder, but the compound makes it easy. Threading or cutting tapers with the compound are about the only time it ever gets moved.

[EdK]

(06-26-2012, 12:49 PM)f350ca Wrote: Ed
In my opinion the compound is useless unless you have a scale on it. You align the compound to the bed, then sum the compound and carriage scales. When machining to a shoulder or facing the compound acts as a fine feed. The head on my Colchester simply sums them but you can unplug the compound scale and just read the carriage movement, the Fagor on my Summit lathe allows you to see the sum, the compound or the carriage. On the Summit the carriage weighs a few hundred pounds, hard to move it 1 or 2 thou at a shoulder, but the compound makes it easy. Threading or cutting tapers with the compound are about the only time it ever gets moved.

Greg,

Ah, I did not know about the summing feature. Now I can see where it could be very useful. Thanks for the information.

Ed