DRO on shaper?

[david brum]

Wow, I see that Igaging is selling a 6" DRO (digital readout) for under $30. It even has a remote screen. I'm thinking of adding one to my shaper. I can envision how to do it, but would love some feedback from anyone who's already done so.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41PHxsEt%2BYL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[Cary Falk]

Don't do it!!!And definitely don't show pictures!! I will want to do it then and I have entirely too many projects on my plate at the moment.:D

[david brum]

Well Cary, I don't normally buy woodworking accessories :rolleyes:but feel that this would be a helpful sacrifice for the SMC community.

[Cary Falk]

<sigh> Post if you must. I will take one for the team er uh community. I guess I should go ahead and order the DRO now.

[Homer Faucett]

Wow, I see that Igaging is selling a 6" DRO (digital readout) for under $30. It even has a remote screen. I'm thinking of adding one to my shaper. I can envision how to do it, but would love some feedback from anyone who's already done so.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41PHxsEt%2BYL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Can you provide a link to where you are seeing that price? I might be interested, but $32.99 is the lowest I can find it . . . and I don't see where you can buy direct on the Igaging website. Thanks!

[david brum]

Homer, try this:

http://www.amazon.com/iGaging-DigiMAG-Magnetic-Digital-Readout/dp/B003JU46J4/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1325871692&sr=1-2

[Jerome Hanby]

That sure would look nice on my router table maybe next to one of those big honking power buttons!

[J.R. Rutter]

I installed ProScales on 3 different shapers, but I can't find pictures of the insides and they have all been sold. I used some metal brackets made from framing straps and bolted the sliding element in place near the spindle. The strip got mounted to the spindle and moved up and down with it. You could do the reverse depending on what your shaper looks like under the hood and how the gauge is meant to be mounted.

[Cary Falk]

Homer, try this:

http://www.amazon.com/iGaging-DigiMAG-Magnetic-Digital-Readout/dp/B003JU46J4/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1325871692&sr=1-2


You're killing me!!!! :mad:

[david brum]

I installed ProScales on 3 different shapers, but I can't find pictures of the insides and they have all been sold. I used some metal brackets made from framing straps and bolted the sliding element in place near the spindle. The strip got mounted to the spindle and moved up and down with it. You could do the reverse depending on what your shaper looks like under the hood and how the gauge is meant to be mounted.

That's what I was thinking. My spindle doesn't have much to attach to, although there is a spindle lock which seems to be threaded into the spindle. Maybe I can fit a bracket behind the spindle lock. Do you remember how you attached the bracket to the spindle on yours?

[J.R. Rutter]

They were SCM shapers that had a plate just above the drive pulley that the height adjustment screw acted on. I think that they happened to have some extra holes tapped. I found one picture from a T130. I think that the wooden block had an L bracket behind it. I do remember drilling and tapping into one of the spindle assemblies.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1y3pWG36Pts/TwfdYR1E-5I/AAAAAAAABnY/qo71iMWGOY8/s512/DSCF0006_42.JPG

edit: I found another picture of a T120 install:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lq-xStp-Ml8/TwiQKBmbUjI/AAAAAAAABng/IWyggAoAptw/s800/P1000545.JPG

[david brum]

Thanks JR. I don't have nearly that much room inside my shaper's cabinet, but I can see how to do it now. Thanks very much for taking the time to post the photo!

For all interested, I will post photos as soon as I get it knocked together.

[ian maybury]

To ask a general question. Are low cost units like these reliable? Do they maintain a zero?

ian

[Curt Harms]

To ask a general question. Are low cost units like these reliable? Do they maintain a zero?

ian

I've had a 12" iGaging unit on a Jet JJP-12. It seems accurate, reliable and remembers its calibration. Mine uses 2 CR2032 batteries and I believe it's been 9-12 months since they were installed. So far so good.

[Cary Falk]

To ask a general question. Are low cost units like these reliable? Do they maintain a zero?

ian

I have had a Harbor Freight digital fractional caliper for about 4 years now. I checked it last month against my Woodpecker setup blocks and it is within .0005" of the blocks. You can't get much more low cost as HF. I also have the 12" Igaging remote readout on my planer for about a year and it is still good.

[ian maybury]

Thank you guys, that's good to know.

ian

[joe milana]

Thank you guys, that's good to know.

ian

ian, those units in JR's picture are not "cheap" units. I believe they are in the $300-400 price range.

[David Kumm]

J R's units are Accurate Technology Proscale units. I have a couple of those and a couple of Wixeys. One wixey is great, the other not so great. They may be more consistent now as mine are a few years old. The Proscale are more industrial type units and very reliable and accurate. They are in the $400 range but I have never regretted the decision to buy. Dave

[Cary Falk]

For anybody that is interested in putting one on a Grizzly G0126, I just got done putting mine in.
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q297/caryincamas/DSC_0789.jpg

[david brum]

That's great, Gary. What do you think so far? On my little shaper, I am surprised that the spindle moves so much when I tighten it. I am wondering if that phenomenon happens on "real" shapers as well.

I really like mine otherwise. I'm getting ready to buy another one for my 16/32 sander.

[Cary Falk]

David,
I don'tget any movement when I tighten down the spindle. I haven't really used it much but so far I like it.
Cary