DRO's are the fancy -looking ones worth it?

[SparkyLabs]

Do you mean like this one?: http://www.machine-dro.co.uk/2-axis-...ders-5229.html

Does the PC software give much more funtionality than a stand alone controller ?

[magicniner]

Arcs, angled lines and inclines are achieved by giving the operator a series of moves to make, inevitably they are a bit lumpy and not intended to give you a finished cut - you'd have to make thousands of moves (like CNC) to achieve a finished surface, it gets you close enough to file to shape off the machine without a huge amount of work.

I don't think you get more from the PC based display, it doesn't mention bolt circles etc. it may do less -

http://www.machine-dro.co.uk/m-dro-p...interface.html

I'm not keen on fitting 2-axis readouts to 3-axis machines but if you can manage and it keeps the cost down...

These are the type which I'm using - http://www.machine-dro.co.uk/sds6-3v...s-display.html

I had a failed PSU in the display on the mill and called Machine DRO, they didn't have one in stock but could order me a PSU for it, I had nothing to lose so I stripped the PSU and found a 50p electrolytic had let the juice out, maplins had one in stock ;-)

[SparkyLabs]

Well I have looked around and found a guy on eBay that fits them so he's coming over tomorrow to make my crappy old clerk into something usable. He's got a nice looking graphical controller which makes life just that little bit simpler which I will probably go for. At least once this is fitted I will be able to work a lot more precisely and won't be yearning for a CNC just yet as clearly I'm not ready for one of those.

[m_c]

Let us know how you get on. I keep meaning to add a DRO to my manual lathe, but never seem to get around to it.

[SparkyLabs]

I'm having one of these fitted: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Graphical-...vTevP-8160EaRQ

Costs more than the machine but at least then I have it and can use it elsewhere. the guy is fitting it for me.

[JAZZCNC]

I'm having one of these fitted: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Graphical-...vTevP-8160EaRQ

Costs more than the machine but at least then I have it and can use it elsewhere. the guy is fitting it for me.

OUCH!! . . . . That's lot of money and won't do jot for the machine other than tell you how much backlash you have.!! . . . . There's Saying "Can't make Silk purse out of Sows hear" save your money put towards what we spoke about tonight.!!