Fitting Lathe Digital Readout DRO

My metal lathe - a Sealey SM27 (AKA Clarke 430 & Warco also badge a version) - was an Ebay bargain, and I've used some of the money I saved for this project - an exciting upgrade to my machine shop - to fit an aftermarket digital readout (DRO).

I'm already pretty sure it's going to make my mechanical engineering projects go better and with far more fun.

The DRO kit I purchased is based on glass scales of one micron resolution from Chinese manufacturer Jing. I bought it from an Australian seller.

This video details the installation - it shows how I fitted the DRO and how it performs.

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MUSIC:

[Argyll]

Thanks for the informative video. I'm looking to install a 2-axis DRO and your experience via this video and your voice-over has been a great assist. Cheers / Jeff in Canada

[brucewilliams]

Well thought out install. Thank you for sharing. I like your humor too.

[chrisdaniel]

Thanks for the video.... Really enjoy your sense of humor. Especially (it's only temporary... ) LoL

[toddstackpole]

you can fix the error! it can be calibrated look in you manual, all readouts need calibration when they are set up (even the 1500.00 dollar mitutoyo ) I am a toolmaker and you should check it from time to time it may need readjusting .thank you for the video

[samrodian]

Thanks for that Chris, i have the Warco version with milling head and will look very carefully at this vid again as i want to set it up with a DRO. . I cant think why you would send all the way to Oz for the DRO when they are available in the UK for a similar price, ( i of course want a 3 axis for the mill)

[sickswan]

Hi I have the cl500m same lathe but it’s has a mill head can I ask if you have a link for this dro

[oithetresen]

how did you attach the x scale to your lathe? did you drill holes and screw them in or...?

[evanjones]

Rather than paper chip deflector.. take a look at flexible chopping board and neodymium magnets, to hold it in place.

[brucewilliams]

Do you like your DRO still? Would you buy it again.?

[itonjoans]

you may want to put the camera on a tripod, I got dizzy watching this video.

[mbak]

The weird plaster might contain asbestos. If it could be done for free then might be worth checking with Environmental health. Anything like lead I would not worry about at all but asbestos is a different ball game.