tpactools 3 Axis DRO Digital Readout Lathe Pacakage Linear Glass Scale 0.0002" Fit on 9x32" Table Bridgeport

Just finished setting this up on my G0755. Seems to work great, and setup wasn't too difficult. I was able to get everything mounted using only the included brackets and aluminum bars, with some small modifications (although I did have to supply my own fasteners). Here are a few notes about the process I used on the G0755, and possibly similar mills:The "9x32 table" configuration on Amazon fits the machine well for the X, Y and Z axes. All three scales have slightly more travel than the mill's travel, but aren't too long to exceed the available space.The mill doesn't have enough space to mount the included chip shield on the X axis, and fitting it in on the Y axis is tough. There's room on the Z axis, but since this axis is least exposed to debris anyway, and the scales are sealed, I just left all chip shields off. If this turns out to be a problem, I'll update the review.As there is limited space to mount the scale on the X axis (behind the table), mounting options are limited. I mounted the scale to the back of the table such that the top of the aluminum extrustion was a few thou below the surface of the table. It fits nicely between the left edge of the table and the coolant port on the right, and positioning here isn't critical due to the extra travel available in the scale.After mounting and indicating the scale, the reader head can be mounted to the saddle. The X-position of the reader head mount point isn't critical, but should be approximately centered on the saddle. Leave the blue inserts in the scale for now to act as spacers for marking the hole positions on the saddle. I used a transfer punch to mark where holes need to be drilled on the saddle (through the two holes in the reader head). Since there isn't room to get a hammer back there to hit the punch, you can just set the punch in the hole, then back up the Y axis until the back of the punch hits the column and applies enough pressure to mark the saddle. Remove the scale before drilling the holes. I was also unable to get a regular drill in that space to drill the holes and had to use a low-profile drill.Note that these holes in the reader head are already threaded, #10-32, all the way through. There are a few ways to deal with this. The threads could probably be drilled out, but I didn't want to risk damaging the reader head. A much smaller screw that fits entirely within the ID of the threaded hole could be used, but this isn't ideal. If you get the phase of the threads to match on both holes, are are careful to ensure that the shimming is a multiple of the thread pitch, you may be able to get some long #10-32 screws to thread all the way through the reader head and into the machine; but this won't hold the reader head as tightly. My solution was to take some long #10-32 screws, chuck them in a drill (using a notched nut as a "collet" to avoid damaging the threads), and file off all of the threads except at the very end of the screw. Both screws were inserted fully into the reader head, such that they were able to slide freely, before mounting to the mill.Due to the offset between the table and saddle, and the brackets acting as standoffs for the aluminum body of the scale, the reader head has to be shimmed against the saddle. On my machine, the shimming needed to center the reader head on the scale body was 0.48". I was able to get close to this using a combination of washers and the included shims.The Y axis requires the use of 3 of the included brackets, two of which have to be modified, and the aluminum bar, which also has to be modified. The scale will be attached to the mill base, on top of the aluminum bar; and the reader head will be attached, via brackets, to the bottom-right of the saddle.It's important to note that the mill base is at a vertical angle from the attachment point on the saddle, and that the mill base is actually curved outward. To compensate for the angle (about 2.5 degrees on my machine), I machined the angle into the aluminum bar to compensate. You also need to drill and counterbore two holes, near the edges, to screw the aluminum bar into the mill base. To compensate for the curve, I just mounted the aluminum bar to the mill base using washers as standoffs; although an appropriate metal block would probably be better. Use an indicator on both the top and front faces of the aluminum bar to ensure it's parallel; correct with tapping or shimming as needed. The scale screws into the pre-tapped hole in the aluminum bar using the included fasteners (although I did have to cut them short).The first bracket attaches to the mounting point on the saddle. It uses one of the included L brackets, with the long leg of the bracket cut short. The included slots are too wide for the saddle attachment point, so new slots have to be milled into the short leg of the bracket. The long leg of the bracket should be cut short, about halfway through the second slot - a bandsaw works well for this.The second bracket, the included right-angle bracket with equal-length legs, can be used unmodified, and attaches to the inside of the first bracket.The third bracket is another L bracket, with the long leg cut short after about 2 and a half slots. It attaches to the outside of the second bracket, and to the bottom of the reader head (the hole is tapped M4-0.7). It can be difficult to fit a screwdriver down there, so I used a ratchet.The Z axis is pretty easy and requires the one remaining L bracket. There isn't room for it on the left side of the mill so it has to be mounted on the right side. I mounted the scale such that the opening in the aluminum body of the scale faced away from the column. The bracket should be cut short at an appropriate length (see picture). A standoff needs to be used against the mill head to prevent the bracket from scraping and line it up with the holes on the reader head. One of the offcuts from the brackets works well for this purpose. I also used washers as standoffs between the bracket and reader head.

The directions for installation are very unique. Don't expect professional courtesy in the text. Procedure is rather vague, and confusing. Be prepared to manufacture your own mounting hardware, as the materials provided aren't matched to your application.

This came very quickly, on a Friday (today) where the delivery window doesn't start until Monday. I like vendors that under-promise and over-deliver. I tested the unit and the scales, and in a couple hours I installed the head and the X scale on my Grizzly G0755 mill. The DRO is comparable to, although different from, the Sino DRO that came installed on my lathe. So far it all is working properly, although I have 2 more scales to put on yet.The packaging was really good, there was an empty box inside to fill the space left from the three scales. Kept everything from slamming around loose. The instructions are much better than other Chinese products I own (including the Sino DRO manual). Not perfect native English, but perfectly understandable.The mounting screws that came with the package were all metric. I had to use some regular ones where I attached to my lather, only because I didn't have all of the right sizes of metric taps for the mounting holes. I used #10-24 size cap screws, those are close to the metric size and fit through the mounting holes on the scales. Plus I have those taps!Really, the only hard part of the whole operation is measuring and drilling the holes to mount the parts to. The X scale turned out to be really stubborn because for mounting the fixed part to the base there was not enough room to get the drill and even a short length drill bit between the table and the column. I didn't want to take the whole table off (as well as the vise and everything else), so I used a piece of aluminum angle to offset from an existing hole that holds the chip guard for the back side of the ways. Not ideal, but I tested the install and there is no variation in the measurement along the X-axis. The pressure needed to move the little measuring head along the track is minimal, so there is little chance of slippage with the screws turned tightly.I had some iGauging scales on the mill before. While they work, there is a world of difference between using them and this DRO. Not only ease of use, but also reliability and repeatability. I will be leaving the iGauging scale on the quill itself, this mill has a motorized movable head instead of a knee, so the third (Z) axis scale will go on that.I know one partial day of use cannot deliver you guys a durability rating, that may come in time. But the parts all worked as delivered, delivery was smooth and so far I am really happy I bought this.

When I opened the box I was very surprised - Thinking this would be a not so great but OK Digital Readout unit. Was I surprised to see how good and high quality this meter is! Everything was well made and excellent quality. I installed it on my new Mill and it works perfectly - I must say its better then the Newall DP700 that they want 3-4000.00 for. And they were immediate in shipping to me. Got it almost the next day.

Ok first off you do have to adapt the mounting brackets to fit your machine. We run with a Sakuta Japanese Mill, and the original slides and DRO was a Sony system. So some of the holes line up but then the other end you may have to do some drilling and tapping. Nothing super extravagant. But its not going to be a direct replacement. It took a trained tool and die maker 18 hours to pull the old system and mount the new system permanently. Now the new system is installed and operational, I am very happy with the results. This system is an excellent replacement, and upgrade from those systems that are obsolete and tired. Delivery was as expected from China and came intact, and packaged very well. All slides, read out, cables, mounting brackets, and bolts included. Instructions are in english, very legible, and sarcasm included. You need a new 3 axis DRO for a great price this is it!.

Arrived well packaged in good condition. Works great and well worth the investment. I would also give 6 stars to the seller. Great support and very responsive. Will be shopping with tpactools again!