BP Mill DRO glass scale install.

**tlangy** · Feb 22, 2016, 06:42 PM

Does anyone have experience installing glass scale 2 or 3 axis dro on a BP type milling machine. My mill is a BP chinese clone by Birmingham 3hp 3ph vari speed 9x49" knee mill. I have been using this machine for about 8 years now and it performs quite well but I think all of the hype I've read about DROs has caused me to purchase one, but the instructions that came with it are not very explicit and don't give any info as to what to lookout for tips/tricks etc. for installing the dro.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. TIA, tlangy.

**Profkanz** · Mar 5, 2016, 10:26 PM

After loosely mounting the scales, You have to indicate them in to be parallel to the axis of travel within .0002 in both the vertical and horizontal plane.

**Ed ke6bnl** · Mar 6, 2016, 01:20 PM

I am no expert at all, but I installed one on my mill and had no where near those tolerances, forgot what they need to be but am pretty sure not .ooo2. Mine is working great. did you mean a couple of thousands.

**astroracer** · Mar 7, 2016, 06:26 AM

Here is a link to my Tpac Tools DRO Install on the FrankenMill on the Hobby Machinist site.
A Tpac Tools Dro For The Frankenmill | The Hobby-Machinist
I had to do a bit of fab work to get it all hung on but it only took a day or so to have it up and running. Just so you know it is a GREAT thing to have!
Mark

**Paul Jones** · Mar 7, 2016, 12:09 PM

Astroracer,

Are you using glass scales or the magnetic type like those from DROPROS that can be trimmed to size? I am thinking about buying the magnetic type but these are somewhat more expensive.

Paul

**astroracer** · Mar 7, 2016, 12:20 PM

Hi Paul, they are glass. I got them from Tom at Tpac Tools.
2 Axis DRO MILL PACKAGE LINEAR GLASS SCALES NEW DIGITAL READOUT
I just couldn't beat his price and the quality is right up there. they work great and the head unit has more calculating power then I will ever use.

Mark

**C-Bag** · Mar 10, 2016, 08:19 AM

I too have been wanting to get my old Enco/RF-30 DRO'd on the X&Y.

I put one of the magnetic scales like you are talking about Paul on the Z and it was a vast improvement. I had to custom cut the scale to fit and although scary, it was a piece o' cake and looks good after I made a cover to mount it to.

I go back and forth with a glass setup as right now there is a XY complete for like $270 w/shipping from China off eBay. But for my application I think that big head would be in the way and the scales kinda bulky on my benchtop rig. I have to admit too it seems like a diamond necklace on a pig as that's almost what I paid for the old mill/drill

I'm seriously considering the bluDRO setup metalworker's buddy came up with. Seems like a cool little setup. Don't know that it has all the fancy functions the big glass DRO's have but I'm not sure I'll ever use it. Just a thought.