stoneaxe
Stainless
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2010
- Location
- pacific northwest
Seems most mills these days have a DRO. Let's talk about the old days
When a series of features are called out, and referenced by location to a zero point, either by absolute or incremental, it seems very easy to lose track of rotations on the dial. If a miscount is made, the .200" of a rotation is hard to pick up visually. Also, if a error is suspected, how would one know where the zero point is, in order to return to it for a double check?
Mechanically, I see two ways to help with this. A simple vernier scale on the tables, so a rough check to the nearest .200" would be easy, or an adjustable mechanical stop to limit table travel. This would be set at a zero point.
Or a piece of tape stuck on the table with a pencil line..!
Is a mechanical stop like this a bad idea? The problem is that if it is forgotten and used with the power feed it will trash the mill. I see them used on manual lathes, but perhaps the feed clutch is designed to protect in this situation.
Can some of you old pros enlighten me as to how to retain position?
When a series of features are called out, and referenced by location to a zero point, either by absolute or incremental, it seems very easy to lose track of rotations on the dial. If a miscount is made, the .200" of a rotation is hard to pick up visually. Also, if a error is suspected, how would one know where the zero point is, in order to return to it for a double check?
Mechanically, I see two ways to help with this. A simple vernier scale on the tables, so a rough check to the nearest .200" would be easy, or an adjustable mechanical stop to limit table travel. This would be set at a zero point.
Or a piece of tape stuck on the table with a pencil line..!
Is a mechanical stop like this a bad idea? The problem is that if it is forgotten and used with the power feed it will trash the mill. I see them used on manual lathes, but perhaps the feed clutch is designed to protect in this situation.
Can some of you old pros enlighten me as to how to retain position?