The recommendations are accurate. Don't use a catalog as a wish book, there are hoards of nonsense devices that trigger 'Igottahaveone' just like impulse purchases in retail. Many are little more than toys; impractical, flashy, whose only purpose is generate profit to seller. None of that s**t existed in the past, and "we" machinists got along fine, turning out incredible work. The basics are dependable, and the real foundation [but hidden] behind silly tricks.
Simple shopping list. Write down every thing we've listed, put a hash mark when they are mentioned again. whatever collect the most marks, start there. Do not think a box full of goodies makes you a machinist.
Starting out, a DRO is not critical, might even be a hindrance. Develop as a machinist, not an operator. Learn the trig, use simple algebra and tolerancing so they work for you, not hidden in a mysterious electronic display.
Want to keep track of multiple table positions? 2 strips of masking tape; 1 on the table, another short piece directly adjacent on it's mate. Use a fine point ink pen, mark a line at your position 7.562 whatever, write that at line and set dial to coincide. Your mill probably has .200 dials[one rotation = .200 travel] the dial at .162 [both 1 an 5 are odd]. 7.618 will read .018. You will watch those lines approach, then look at the dial, and position as fast you can read, without overshooting common with DRO's.
Simple shopping list. Write down every thing we've listed, put a hash mark when they are mentioned again. whatever collect the most marks, start there. Do not think a box full of goodies makes you a machinist.
Starting out, a DRO is not critical, might even be a hindrance. Develop as a machinist, not an operator. Learn the trig, use simple algebra and tolerancing so they work for you, not hidden in a mysterious electronic display.
Want to keep track of multiple table positions? 2 strips of masking tape; 1 on the table, another short piece directly adjacent on it's mate. Use a fine point ink pen, mark a line at your position 7.562 whatever, write that at line and set dial to coincide. Your mill probably has .200 dials[one rotation = .200 travel] the dial at .162 [both 1 an 5 are odd]. 7.618 will read .018. You will watch those lines approach, then look at the dial, and position as fast you can read, without overshooting common with DRO's.
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