Cheap DROs

[Allen Smithee]

Does anyone have any experience with the cheap remote-display DROs offered by Arceurotrade? They seem to rtepresent very good value, allowing the prospect of three axis-DRO on a small mill for under a hundred squids. Are they worth a punt?

AS

[Jo]

I can sell you a pair of 8" ones 

Jo

[Allen Smithee]

I can sell you a pair of 8" ones 

We shall speak more on this, oh wise and wonderous lady...

AS

[Jo]

We shall speak more on this, oh wise and wonderous lady...

AS

Anyone would think you are looking for another bargain 

Jo

[sco]

I think Firebird is the man to talk to - he has linked these scales up to an android tablet to get a large screen display.

Simon.

[ShopShoe]

I know that many have had good luck with these, but I have not had as good an experience.

I purchased one (I'm in the US, so from Grizzly with the "iGaging" label) with the goal of using more of them. In my non-climate-controlled shop I found it erratic and it ate batteries. After ruining parts as it "jumped" from something like 0.007 to 1.0428 with a perhaps a few thousandths step, I decided to stop trusting it. I use the machine scales, occasionally augmented by dial indicators, I still have the unit, but have decided to add a "Real" DRO to my "someday" list, although when I look at the cost I start thinking about CNC as well. I have to watch my budget carefully, so any cash outlay must be carefully thought out and DROs are not in my near future.

(FYI, the experience above is after I owned it for a few months and mounted it to my mill, so It was not realistic to pursue a replacement or refund. They also have SS scales now, which may be better, but I am put off these units by my experience.)

--ShopShoe

[tangler]

I used to have a set of this type scale on my mill.  They were a previous generation with the display on the slider but  I had to use a remote read out to see the the Z axis.  I had no problem with the accuracy but the remote read out was endless trouble.  However, the main issue was keeping swarf off the tracks.  The mill flings fine swarf everywhere so you might have to think about the shielding.  I now have the ubiquitous glass scales and display.  I've never used any of the additional functions (not to say that I won't).  So, with the proviso that you can keep the swarf away, these would probably fulfill my requirements.

HTH

Rod

[Mosey]

I have the more current Grizzly Stainless Steel cheapo DRO's on 3 machines, called "Accuremote". I fine them to be accurate and reliable and I try to mount them where the swarf wont go. The batteries do go quickly and I like the remote readouts quite a bit. My only gripe is that the little magnets to hold the remotes in place don't hold.
The older style with the readout in the slider were nothing but grief.
For the small outlay, about $100.00 for 24", they give hobbyists a useable DRO.
I continue to buy them and put them on my machines, presently installing one on the F2.
Mosey

[Tonyr]

I have these read outs fitted to my milling machine.
I have not had any problems with them.
They make life a lot easier.
I couldn't justify spending a lot of money on read outs.

Tony

[sshire]

 I have the iGaging from Grizzly on my lathe tailstock. They work fine. I moved them from the old lathe to the new. 3 years now.

[HobbyNut]

I put one on the "Y" axis of my mill, it works great. I have one for the "X" just haven't got around to fitting it.

[Firebird]

Hi

They are very good. follow this link to see mine.

http://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php?topic=2865.0

Cheers

Rich