Tail-Stock DRO for Mini Lathe

[George_Race]

Here is something that I have not seen before. Wanting to know exactly how far I was drilling into material being turned in the lathe, I came up with an interesting Tail-stock DRO.

I started with a 4 inch linear DRO, drew and CNC cut a mounting bracket for the tail-stock shaft out of .125 aluminum, and then bent up a piece of .032 aluminum to hold the DRO indicator to the tail-stock.
Drilled and tapped three holes in the bracket, drilled and tapped a couple of mounting holes in the tail-stock for the bracket, assembled it on the tail-stock and away we go.

See pictures below for the details. By the way, if you want the CamBam file or G-Code for the shaft mounting bracket, let me know and I will send it to you.
My next project will be to fit a 6 inch DRO to the bed so I can see exactly where I am cutting. Will post pictures when that is up and working as well.
George

 

[Brass_Machine]

Very nice. This is something I have been wanting to do as well. Nice job!

Eric

 

[kquiggle]

George - with your tailstock DRO as an inspiration, I made one also. I modified the design somewhat, and also used a different (I think) digital caliper.

You don't mention what model caliper you used, but I used a 4" digital caliper purchased from Harbor Freight (Pittsburgh - item#47256). This caliper has some nice features for this application:

• The short length fits the mini-lathe tailstock nicely
• When the caliper display shuts off automatically, it "remembers" its last reading when turned back on again (instead of resetting to zero as some calipers do)
• When the caliper rule is moved, if the display is off it automatically comes back on again

Anyway, thanks to your good example I think it worked out pretty well. I posted a build log and links to measured drawings here:


https://sites.google.com/site/lagadoacademy/machining---lathes-mills-etc/tools---tailstock-dro


Here's a picture of my version:

 

[AussieJimG]

Nice neat, professional jobs by both George and kquiggle.

I made several of these http://start-model-engineering.co.uk/machines-and-tooling/minilathe/micro-dro/ which are based on a digital tyre depth gauge and I just slap one on the tailstock slide when I need accurate measurement. They are also useful on the other slides and on the milling machine.

But I really ought to do something spiffy like you blokes have done.

Jim

 

[deverett]

Here's my version, but for a larger lathe:
http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/f28/tailstock-dro-22547/

Dave
The Emerald Isle

 

[BaronJ]

Here's my version, but for a larger lathe:
http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/f28/tailstock-dro-22547/

Dave
The Emerald Isle

My version used on my Myford is a little further down that page.

 

[kquiggle]

I like the creative use of those digital depth gauges - looks like another project for the to-do list!

Just did a quick ebay search to see what's available, and found this interesting offering -

• Includes 5 interchangeable depth rods (1", 2", 3", 4" and 5") to extend the measuring depth to 16".
• 3-Reading functions: inch, metric, & fractional
• Spring loaded movement for easy use
• Use as an indicator or depth gage
• Large LCD display
• 4-48 Thread interchangeable carbide tipped point
• Resolution: 0.0005" / .01mm / 1/64"
• Indicator travel: 1"
• Measure range: 0 - 16" / 400mm
• Accuracy: 0.001"
• IP54 Protection from fluids and dust.