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proper use of Trav-a-dial ;-) Caution! Humor
- Thread starter CalG
- Start date
- Replies 27
- Views 6,177
Ray Behner
Diamond
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2009
- Location
- Brunswick Oh USA
Cal,
You've got it wrong. I'm sure that TD is for testing the accuracy of the indicator.
You've got it wrong. I'm sure that TD is for testing the accuracy of the indicator.
rjs44032
Hot Rolled
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2012
- Location
- NE Ohio USA
First time I've ever seen a TD mounted on the 'chips' side of the apron. Just when I think I've seen everything I just have to come to PM. 
Thanks for posting this Cal. I had a good laugh.
Best Regards,
Bob
Thanks for posting this Cal. I had a good laugh.Best Regards,
Bob
TGTool
Titanium
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2006
- Location
- Stillwater, Oklahoma
Actually I set one up on that side sometimes. If it's a job where I'm doing repetitive parts and have to back the carriage up further than the indicator travel that's where it goes.
First time I've ever seen a TD mounted on the 'chips' side of the apron. Just when I think I've seen everything I just have to come to PM.
Best Regards,
Bob
Newman109
Diamond
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2006
My machinist friend has a Trav-a-dial on his Monarch 10EE. I've used it many times and it's really neat. I thought I would get one for my lathe until I saw the prices for even worn out ones on eBay. Those things are expensive!
sandiapaul
Titanium
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2004
- Location
- Princeton, NJ USA
Cool, now all you need to do is hook up a digital caliper to the plunger on the dial indicator so you can have a analog to digital read out
moonlight machine
Diamond
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2007
- Location
- marysville ohio
I
Creative ! I would have never thought to use one for the reference surface for a DTI.
Learning something new every day!
That's on a South Bend, no room on the other side as the thread dial is in the way.
They make brackets for that! ;-)
What got me most in observation was how long it took me to recognize that there was even a Trav-a-Dial in the picture. It must have quit being useful some time previous. ;-)
I like them, myself.
AlfaGTA
Diamond
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2002
- Location
- Benicia California USA
We be machinists...solve this sort of minor problem every day do we not.....
Cheers Ross
Dupa3872
Stainless
- Joined
- May 1, 2007
- Location
- Boston Hyde park Ma.
They are worth every penny.
moonlight machine
Diamond
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2007
- Location
- marysville ohio
No, they suck. A DRO is the only way to go.
comstockfriend
Hot Rolled
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2013
- Location
- Sun Valley, California, USA
First time I've ever seen a TD mounted on the 'chips' side of the apron. Just when I think I've seen everything I just have to come to PM.
Best Regards,
Bob
It's in a good position to be the travel stop against the gear box.
John
Derek Smalls
Stainless
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2014
- Location
- Coventry RI
They suck when they are not set up or maintained properly. They need to be calibrated at install to read correctly. I've worked with a lot of guys who say they are not accurate, but they have never researched how to calibrate them. When set up right and with a little bit of maintenance, they are superbly accurate. DRO/Trav a dail is a personal preference. Personally, I prefer the analog dial, to me, it makes it easier to ease up to a number when your looking at a dial, at least for on a lathe. Some guys use them on millers, I prefer a DRO in that situation. I think the one in the OP's pic. may need some calibration and maintenance, just a guess!
When turning to a shoulder its hard to beat the readability of watching the needle come around to zero. DRO's excel at being able to position for specific dimensions. I wish someone would put a countdown dial on a dro so I could have the best of both worlds. When it comes to maintenance (or lack thereof), DRO's are much more robust.
Dupa3872
Stainless
- Joined
- May 1, 2007
- Location
- Boston Hyde park Ma.
Really ?? I can knock off my carriage feed within a few thousands of my shoulder by watching the hand sweep every time, do that with a DRO those numbers change really really fast, It's great tool and they have sold thousands of them. Of course for accuracy in the X axis you can't beat a DRO. I have set up my Hardinge TR lathes with both a Trava Dial and a DRO I even found a company that was making a turret stop that fit them and added that as well.
Ron
digital is analog deficient ;-)
Humans are analog by nature.
Seems there must be a more natural relationship somewhere. But that is a different (less humourous?) topic. ;-)
Now if I just would put a piece of black tape over that da##M flashing .0005 display............
Humans are analog by nature.
Seems there must be a more natural relationship somewhere. But that is a different (less humourous?) topic. ;-)
Now if I just would put a piece of black tape over that da##M flashing .0005 display............
We be machinists...solve this sort of minor problem every day do we not.....
Cheers Ross
Ross
That is a very nice layout. 'mind if I palgerize? My Mazak 16 apron is very much like what you have shown. I like that placement for the T-a-D way better than the bracket that put's it outboard of the thread dial.
Thanks for posting!
moonlight machine
Diamond
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2007
- Location
- marysville ohio
You have a loose bolt...........
moonlight machine
Diamond
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2007
- Location
- marysville ohio
Hey, what ever blows your dress up.
moonlight machine
Diamond
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2007
- Location
- marysville ohio
When turning to a shoulder set your micrometer carriage stop, lots faster and more accurate than watching the needle come around to zero. I set my DRO to count down to zero nearly every day, Its not magic, you can do it with every DRO I have ever used. It's not really a "dial" but it works for me.
