Survey On Which Dro You Installed On Your Pm-1340gt Lathe.

Well, I ordered a PM-1340GT lathe today and am still trying to decide on which way I am going to go on a DRO. I talked to Matt and he suggested the Easson ES-8A that he can sell as a kit or installed. I also am looking at the DRO PROS EL400 DRO which uses magnetic scales and is lathe specific. It's a little more money but I like the magnetic scales and the display screen on the EL400.

So a question for the owners of the PM-1340GT, what DRO did you go with and why did you choose that model? Any other brands out there to consider? I want to firm up this decision over the weekend so I can finalize my order on Monday.

Lathe specifics are, 3 phase motor with Hitachi VFD and preferred package. I will use the QCTP from my current lathe (Phase II) for the time being.

I put the Dro Pros 3M glass on my mills, but went the the EL400 on my 1340GT primarily because I figure the scales on the lathe would be subject to potentially more contamination than the glass scales on my mills. Second reason was the trim-to-length feature of the magnetic scales.

I looked real hard at the EL700 3-axis lathe kit, but couldn't figure out how I'd mount the 3rd scale to the compound.

And congrats on the new lathe. Everyone here seems to like theirs. I know I do mine.

Congrats on the new lathe. I have the EL400 on my lathe though I don't own a 1340GT its a Grizzly G4003G.

Closer to double the cost, rather than a little more money..

I am with you on magnetic scales though. I have been trying to source magnetic scales for weeks. Even direct from China the read heads a really expensive. I bet in a year or two, they are dirt cheap. You can get an entire 2axis glass scale system direct from China for under $200.00, the Easons are closer to $400.00 DroPros wants $499.00)

The glass scales should hold up just fine provided you get the covers on properly. There are some really nasty old machines in some really dirty old shops with glass scales that are decades old. For me the issue is whether you are will to give up about an inch of tail stock travel. The PM1340gt has a well designed tail stock that over hangs the cross slide a great deal. I doubt you would ever miss the travel.

I still have my DRO from my old PM25mv mill. It can be changed to lathe function in the set up menu, not sure what that really does though. I only need linear measurement and maybe tool offset, it's not like I will drilling hole patterns or anything that makes DRO's so valuable on the mill. I am not even convinced it is worth the trouble of putting one on my PM1340GT. I just got done cleaning it up, the controls are so fine that I was able to zero a 1/10ths indicator on the chuck face using the carriage wheel. Matt just sent me an email asking if I still had the DRO, the guy that has my old mill is interested in buying it.

I expect I will just buy this
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/pro...eces-0-1000mm-Linear/1021179_32410015009.html
And sell the 3axis set up I have.

For what its worth I just finished putting the DRO Pros EL400 on my brand new PM1340gt. It took a couple of days of horsing around but I finally got it done and I'm happy with the product. Now Im attempting to install a VFD and have no idea what I'm doing but Ill get there.

I don't have a DRO on my PM1340GT lathe (yet) Dan, but I just wanted to jump in and say congratulations.

Mike.

Well, it looks like several votes for the EL400. I have a 3-axis on my mil so I am used to using them and like the ease of hitting the number. On my current lathe I've been using the dials and wishing I had a DRO on that also. I was in the middle of mounting a tailstock scale when I got to reading and thinking and ended up buying the PM-1340GT. Now seems like a good time to get all of the features I've been wishing for (within reason). Matt quoted $595 for the Easson 8A which included 1 micron scale for the cross slide. The EL400 would be about $1100 so a fair increase over the 8A. Need-Want......Need-Want.......LOL

Thanks Mike, you had a bit of influence in my decision.

Along with all of the other satisfied owners.

sanddan said:

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I was in the middle of mounting a tailstock scale when I got to reading and thinking and ended up buying the PM-1340GT.
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Click to expand...

I actually laughed out loud when I read this.

Have the QMT installed Easson set-up with glass scales on the PM1340GT, works well with no complaints. I cannot see a problem with contamination of the glass scales the way they are installed, nor have I had an issue with the tail stock travel because of the scale. You do loose the cross slide lock unless you mount the X scale on standoffs if you do it yourself. I added a lock on the other side, and use it routinely. Just couldn't justify the additional expense for magnetic scales at this point, should be much cheaper. I use the ES-12 display because I prefer that type of display, but with the lathe the ES-8A works just as well. DRO pros sells both the Easson and EL400 so may be worth a call to discuss options.