Thanks. Yes, my quill lock is on the right side. I have a power downfeed model so there was no depth stop feature. I used to use the power down feed limit as a depth stop but it wasn't designed to be used that way & it would only repeat 10 thou if I was lucky. My custom depth stop repeats to a thou no problem.
I searched long & hard for a depth stop mod on a RF45 style mill & came up with nothing. I've always wondered about that scale thing in the middle of the faceplate on the non-PDF models. I couldn't find anyone talking about it. Can it be used as depth stop? If yes, how does it work?
BTW, you sure about the DRO return? I personally think a DRO is much more useful on a mill than on a lathe. Despite your CNC mission, if I could only have a DRO on one machine it would be on the mill without question.