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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
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    Sydney, Australia
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    23

    Default Is there a brand of DRO that is suited to a 1960's Hercus Lathe?

    Hi folks,

    I have been trying to use what I have in my workshop a little better and hence the inquiry of fitting a Digital Readout to the little Hercus lathe.
    Is there a model / brand of DRO that is suitable? The cross slide looks a little awkward to work with however.

    Secondly any suggestions for a brand LED machine light to use on the lathe as well, I may as well see better too.

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Brisbane Australia
    Posts
    85

    Default

    I had fitted a DRO to one of my Hercus lathes sometime ago and I got different numbers when I turned the motor on with the cross slide. I think there may have been a bit of play in the system.
    From memory it was like .1mm, I was new to using a lathe and did not probe into it alot, I also thought maybe the machine was a little "light" for the DRO to be successfully used. Since then on my other lathe I use a DTI.
    I have since seen this method of attaching the DRO to the cross slide.
    I thought it looked good, it has a spring to keep tension in the system.




    .Cross slide dro.png

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    23

    Smile Thanks for your view and picture.

    I had not considered "play" on the cross slide.
    Thanks for the picture.
    What is a DTI? I am not familiar with this descriptor.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    melbourne australia
    Posts
    3,228

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Somedayplumbing View Post
    I have since seen this method of attaching the DRO to the cross slide.
    That looks good. Do you have a link to the website where you saw that?
    Chris

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    melbourne australia
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    3,228

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Grahamross View Post
    What is a DTI? I am not familiar with this descriptor.
    Dial test indicator. Although I suspect he meant dial indicator (DI). A DI is what I use when I need accurate indication of cross slide movement.
    A permanent DRO on the cross slide would be nice though. For the work I do I don't think a DRO scale is as necessary on the carriage.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Chris

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Brisbane Australia
    Posts
    85

    Default

    Yes sorry I meant Dial Indicator.

    And I got the photo off a Southbend facebook page.

    This is a dial indicator off a Southbend, I think it has probably got a magnet on the back to hold it in position

    Screen Shot 2020-01-31 at 20.20.44.png

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Default

    Hi Graham,

    Quote Originally Posted by Grahamross View Post
    I had not considered "play" on the cross slide.
    Thanks for the picture.
    What is a DTI? I am not familiar with this descriptor.
    Dial Test Indicator !

    24-08-2020=001.jpg

    In this picture the long thin device next to the drill chuck is a digital version of a dial indicator. In this instance being used to measure saddle movement.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    melbourne australia
    Posts
    3,228

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Somedayplumbing View Post
    And I got the photo off a Southbend facebook page.
    Thanks. I have scoured the only two south bend lathe Facebook pages I could find and never found the pic of that DRO. It's a pity, as I'd like to know what brand of DRO he used and how he made the mount.
    Chris

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    melbourne australia
    Posts
    3,228

    Default

    To clarify, this is a DTI:
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Chris

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Brisbane Australia
    Posts
    85

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jack620 View Post
    Thanks. I have scoured the only two south bend lathe Facebook pages I could find and never found the pic of that DRO. It's a pity, as I'd like to know what brand of DRO he used and how he made the mount.
    Hi Chris, sorry I was wrong.

    I screenshot it off You Tube

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz9lSt_EX-A&t=5s

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    sydney ( st marys )
    Age
    64
    Posts
    4,887

    Default

    The bolt up option with supplied fittings is probably no.

    Any of the DRO's will work on your lathe.

    You will need to customise your fittings.

    Backlash in your screws should not be a concern to the DRO, you just need to make sure it's removed before use of the DRO ( by winding handles ).

    For most cross slide applications the scale is mounted at the rear of the cross slide
    ( an extension ). This can be an issue if a splash guard is fitted.

    Cost will probably be in the range of $300/$500 on the make.

    As mentioned earlier a dial indicator is/can be a very good cost effective alternative, if going this route I would suggest a minimum of 25 mm/ 1" of travel.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    23

    Default Thanks pipeclay, The DRO would be very good with multiple consecutive distances.

    Thanks Pipeclay,
    I will have a look about for a suitable brand DRO. The Dial Indicator is a good help.

    Quote Originally Posted by pipeclay View Post
    The bolt up option with supplied fittings is probably no.

    Any of the DRO's will work on your lathe.

    You will need to customise your fittings.

    Backlash in your screws should not be a concern to the DRO, you just need to make sure it's removed before use of the DRO ( by winding handles ).

    For most cross slide applications the scale is mounted at the rear of the cross slide
    ( an extension ). This can be an issue if a splash guard is fitted.

    Cost will probably be in the range of $300/$500 on the make.

    As mentioned earlier a dial indicator is/can be a very good cost effective alternative, if going this route I would suggest a minimum of 25 mm/ 1" of travel.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    23

    Default Dti.

    Great picture of the DTI, I had never heard of the description, DTI but just only as a dial indicator.
    Cheers

    Quote Originally Posted by jack620 View Post
    To clarify, this is a DTI:

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    23

    Default Thanks BaronJ

    Yep I get it. I have not used the test word.
    Nice digital dial indicator.
    Cheers


    Quote Originally Posted by BaronJ View Post
    Hi Graham,



    Dial Test Indicator !

    24-08-2020=001.jpg

    In this picture the long thin device next to the drill chuck is a digital version of a dial indicator. In this instance being used to measure saddle movement.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    23

    Default Proper looking setup

    Great setup. Thanks for the picture. Explains a lot.
    Cheers
    Quote Originally Posted by Somedayplumbing View Post
    I had fitted a DRO to one of my Hercus lathes sometime ago and I got different numbers when I turned the motor on with the cross slide. I think there may have been a bit of play in the system.
    From memory it was like .1mm, I was new to using a lathe and did not probe into it alot, I also thought maybe the machine was a little "light" for the DRO to be successfully used. Since then on my other lathe I use a DTI.
    I have since seen this method of attaching the DRO to the cross slide.
    I thought it looked good, it has a spring to keep tension in the system.




    .Cross slide dro.png

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