Mounting dro scales to the cross slide

[wrenchcruncher]

I just bought a DRO for my 14x40 lathe and I am looking for ideas on mounting the cross slide scale, I think in my case it is best to mount on the tailstock side of the carrige. My concern is the loss of travel of the carrige towards the tailstock,(the one inch lost is a small price to pay I guess.) stops for the tailstock would be needed to prevent damage to the scale in case of contact.

[cam1]

Hi:

Consider this:
If you mount it on the front of the X slide then the chips from machining, and any parts that drop (from parting or the occasional spit out part ) could hit the scales. Mounting the scales on the tailstock side is the standard way to mount mount x axis scales. Make a cover to prevent coolant and chips from entering the scales, and make a stop to prevent contacting the scales with the tailstock. Also the reading head should be stationary, and the scales should be mounted on the the x slide.

regards

[Chuck Reamer]

I installed a Newall DRO on a lathe a little while back, tail stock side is the way to go. I mounted a piece of aluminum angle over top of it to act as a shield. To prevent the tail stock from crashing it I just drilled and tapped a hole close to the scale and put a cap screw in it.

Works like a charm and have not had any problems to date, the tail stock is getting a dent in it from ramming the stop bolt.

A inch of travel on a 40" lathe is well worth the sacrifice, a DRO makes jobs at least 25% faster. The one I installed was about $1800 (only 24"x12", just a dummy scale for the entire bed length) and paid for itself in the first 10 or 12 jobs. I had never used one before and now I don't know if I could go back. You will love it, what kind did you get? does it cover the entire 40"?

[wrenchcruncher]

Thanks for the replies, they confirm what I thought.

cam1 Makes sense and I will be mounting the scale on the cross slide with the reading head held solid, but the 40" will have to be mounted to the bed & the reading head will need to travel, as the scale would hit the brackets for the backsplash. Is there a problem with the head trveling?.
thank you

chuck reamer yes mine travels 40" and it is also a newall.

[wrenchcruncher]

Thanks for the replies, they confirm what I thought.

cam1 Makes sense and I will be mounting the scale on the cross slide with the reading head held solid, but the 40" will have to be mounted to the bed & the reading head will need to travel, as the scale would hit the brackets for the backsplash. Is there a problem with the head trveling?.
thank you

chuck reamer yes mine travels 40" and it is also a newall.