Get More From Your DRO - CNC Like Repeatability From Your Manual Metal Lathe

[@jeffanderson1653]

I’ve been thinking about buying a DRO for my 15x50. This is the best instructional lathe DRO I’ve seen. Well done sir.

[@BladesIIB]

Jeff - thank you for the feedback and glad the video helped. I did not find anything like this out there and was hoping it would provide a new perspective on what a DRO can offer the manual machinist on their lathe.

[@richardmills5450]

A lot of good thoughts in this. Cheers

[@BladesIIB]

@richardmills5450 - Thanks for the comment. Hope you pulled out some ideas you can use.

[@brucewilliams6292]

Thank you for the video. Great explanation. Will start getting the tools on the DRO.

[@BladesIIB]

Bruce Williams - Glad this was helpful. Thanks for the comment.

[@texaswoodworks8853]

Excellent video, Bud. The different camera angles and going back and demonstrating the DRO movements on the piece that had already been cut made this very easy to understand. It is also interesting to see examples of accuracy taking a slight backseat to repeatability, something I find to be quite common in woodworking.

[@BladesIIB]

Glad you liked it. I had fun with Picture in Picture in Picture trying to get the DRO, the Part and the Formula all on the screen at one time. I was hoping that would help it all make more sense, glad to hear it did. Thanks!

[@michaelmaloney1027]

Great teaching video, I learned a lot. Appreciate all your teaching/videotaping efforts!!

[@BladesIIB]

Michael Maloney - Thanks for the comment, glad they are helpful.

[@bluehornet6752]

Very nice--I got the same DRO as you have, on my 1440TL. So this video is awesome, thanks!

[@BladesIIB]

Tom B - Thanks. When I made this one I thought it would get more views. Seems to be helpful for anyone who does find it. Glad you did.

[@rodneykiemele4721]

Thank you very much, that was an excellent video, very understandable 👍

[@BladesIIB]

Rodney Kiemele - Thank you, glad it was helpful.

[@johnambler3107]

Great informative video on the DRO Bud! I’ve learned a lot 👍

[@BladesIIB]

John Ambler - Thanks for the comment. When I made this video I really thought it could it could be a great leaning tool. I hope more people find it. Glad you found some value in it.

[@7alfatech860]

Very nice and thorough explanations. Thanks!

[@jagboy69]

Our DRO's are capable of some amazing stuff. Too bad most of us only use the zero button. I know they can even turn a ball, but is it ever time consuming!

[@johanneslaxell6641]

Nice use of the DRO 👍🏼💪🏼! I have to admit though, my mind "demands" that zero/zero is at the end of the piece in the center. I find it easier to visualize the size (and direction of movement) relative to the numbers. It is possible that there is a difference in the fact that I work in mm not in imperial. We say 32,55 mm, you say 1,2815 if I understand correctly? I often see "imperial workers" use micrometers when a caliper would be accurate enough. Is it because 0,1 mm is about 0,004 inch? I don't "need to know", I REALLY don't want to criticize, but I like learning new things 👍🏼!

[@BladesIIB]

Johannes Laxell - Great comments and questions. No criticism taken. That is the beauty of machining and how the DRO works everyone can visualize it however it makes the most sense to them and the DRO will accommodate. For me, I operated a lathe for 30 years without a DRO and with the hand wheels, you always measure from the outside in. I never once made a part without a DRO by starting from the centerline and working my way out for dimensions. As for measuring, calipers are good but I find mics easier and faster for round material most of the time so more of a preference than a requirement. I have operated in Metric or Imperial, that has no impact for me. Size is size and tolerance is tolerance regardless of the scale used. Appreciate you watching and keep the comments coming.

[@BladesIIB]

Johannes Laxell - I went to reply to your second comment and hit remove instead of reply, my apologies it was a great comment. I can’t figure out how to get it back. Like me, you also made a key point that for anyone with CNC experience starting the DRO from the centerline and the end would be “normal”. As I am doing more CNC with my mill I am changing how I think of projects and models.

[@keithmonarch447]

From Keith. When I eventually get the Lathe I talked about. We will need to discuss who has a reasonable DRO product....

[@BladesIIB]

Sounds good Kieth.

[@johnelliott4521]

With a DRO cnc like repeatability

[@BladesIIB]

John Elliott - I always appreciate a comment. Was there a question in yours?

[@johnelliott4521]

@@BladesIIB no question, but DRO makes life and work repeatable

[@BladesIIB]

@@johnelliott4521 Gotcha, yes amazing addition to a lathe.

[@ДенисВасильев-о5с]

Bud try to carve a knight out of chess - this is the most difficult piece to make, the most difficult of all.

[@BladesIIB]

I would use my CNC for that. Titans of CNC have a good video of their design for this. Good 4th axis project but could maybe still do with a regular CNC machine.