Lathe Carriage Stop

**rossbotics** · Oct 22, 2018, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by PJs

Thanks for the video demonstration of your stamping jig Doug! Another beautiful build, simple and elegant! It's also cool to see how earlier tools help build other tools and so on...Pure HMT greatness.

Thanks PJs
I try and use all the tools I make, some are for just show but the majority of them are used often, sometimes I'll create a project just to use the tools I make.

Doug

**old_toolmaker** · Oct 23, 2018, 07:51 AM

olderdan,

I, personally would feel lost without a DRO on the Z axis. That is the most important axis for me. I can zero the display at any point with a push of a button and easily watch the display for machining to an exact dimension. I have been using Trav-A-Dials and DRO's for almost fifty years and it is second nature for me and is very precise. Just my opinion of course.

**rossbotics** · Oct 23, 2018, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by olderdan

Great job Doug (we expect nothing less), I would not be without mine as I rarely use my topslide.

Thanks olderdan
This little machine is 11 years old, bought it new and I couldn't believe it didn't come with a carriage stop, my 6913 Clausing Lathe came with a carriage stop, and I also put DRO on it years ago, DRO's are a cats meow, I just couldn't justify the spending for a DRO on this seldom used machine.

Doug

**rossbotics** · Oct 24, 2018, 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by old_toolmaker

olderdan,

I, personally would feel lost without a DRO on the Z axis. That is the most important axis for me. I can zero the display at any point with a push of a button and easily watch the display for machining to an exact dimension. I have been using Trav-A-Dials and DRO's for almost fifty years and it is second nature for me and is very precise. Just my opinion of course.

I agree 100% with you Dick

Doug

**olderdan** · Oct 24, 2018, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by old_toolmaker

olderdan,

I, personally would feel lost without a DRO on the Z axis. That is the most important axis for me. I can zero the display at any point with a push of a button and easily watch the display for machining to an exact dimension. I have been using Trav-A-Dials and DRO's for almost fifty years and it is second nature for me and is very precise. Just my opinion of course.

Dick
Okay you have convinced me I need DROs, I have used a Hidehain 4 station Dro for years at work but in my eight decade I have procrastinated about whether it is
worth fitting my own. Having now decided I am worth it can you suggest a decent system for a 9 inch bench lathe that is preferably mains powered.
BTW been meaning to ask how you achieve those nicely uniform chamfers on your tools.

**old_toolmaker** · Oct 24, 2018, 12:30 PM

olderdan,

Do a search on EBay for "Shars Digital Readout". It is just a low priced Shars DRO, but I have had it for over 6 years with no major troubles. The only issue was with fine cast iron dust on the scale and cleaning solved the problem. The one I bought was 24" long and has a scale that can be cut to length. It is fairly easy to install onto the backside of the bed. I installed mine under a piece of aluminum angle to protect it from swarf.

Lathe Carriage Stop-7-x-16-lathe-dro-b.jpg

Lathe Carriage Stop-7-x-16-lathe-dro-d.jpg

Lathe Carriage Stop-7-x-16-lathe-dro-e.jpg

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shars-24-Di...S4~d:rk:3:pf:0

I have added a link to the DRO on EBay.

As for the chamfers on my tools; I mill them using a carbide single lip chamfering cutter of my own making. The chamfers are all the same size for a uniform look. Most of my tools are made from 4140 P.H. steel which finishes nicely using carbide.

**CharlesWaugh** · Oct 24, 2018, 07:14 PM

Thank you!

I have a sheet metal shear with a .001" reading vernier on it which has served me for 20+ years, but this could just be bolted right on top and no more hunkering down trying to read that last .001".

I also have a paper cutter with a 12" vernier on it - again, no more squinting and leaning in, further in, adjusting the bifocals...

:-)

**olderdan** · Oct 25, 2018, 10:47 AM

Dick
Thanks for the info and the pics, that looks a very reasonably priced setup, Christmas is coming soon.

**rossbotics** · Oct 26, 2018, 01:35 AM

Here's the DRO setup on my milling machine that I got from igaging, you can buy these individually and the scales can be cut to whatever length, the maximum length scale is 36", you can get these different lengths ready to go but they are still trimmable, 12"-18"-24"-36"

Doug