9x20 Lathe Digital Read-Out (DRO)

9x20 Lathe X & Z1 Axes Scales.  9x20 Lathe Tachometer & SFM
 RF-25 Mill, Mill DRO & X Y Z Axes Scales. RF-25 Mill Tachometer & SFM
Taig Micro Mill  Taig Mill DRO & X Y Z Axes Scales.  Taig CNC Mill DRO  Taig Mill Tachometer & SFM  Taig Micro Lathe DRO
ShumaTech DRO



X-Axis scale is mounted off the back of the carriage so there is no interference with the tailstock.
Both L-channel mounts effectively protect the scales from impact, fluid & debris.
For my particular setup, the lathe is still the same distance from the wall as before the scale addition.
DRO is mounted onto wall. Its location positions the DRO away from any cutting fluid spray.
When the X-Axis scale is set to the diameter mode, its far left decimal is on. The tachometer is indicating 637 RPM on the Z2 display.
 The auxiliary port must be first set to ON in setup, then tachometer & SFM are activated using Functions 7 & 8, respectively.
Scales directions & polarities must be correctly defined in the DRO setup for several of the functions to work properly.

DPU-550 Daughterboard Upgrade

The DRO-350 has been upgraded with the DPU-550 daughterboard & overlay for enhanced capabilities.
DPU-550     OpenDRO User's Guide Rev 2     OpenDRO Supplemental Guide

DPU-550 for the 9x20 lathe showing 146 RPM.
For the DPU-550, a 74LS14 Schmitt Trigger was needed to make the tachometer work reliably.
Since any input can be displayed on any line, the RPM is assigned to the middle line & Z1 to the bottom line.
The X-axis far left decimal is illuminated indicating it is in diameter mode. Of the numerous features, some include:
ARM-7 CPU, fractional input, reverse Polish calculator, high-precision displays, large storage & USB interface.

All cable plugs are held in place with a spot of hot glue.
Don't let any volatile liquids seep in behind the DRO's overlay, it might damage the silkscreen.
I accidentally splashed mine with isopropyl alcohol while on the bench, causing damage.
The overlay has since been replaced. It pulled off but it left quite a bit of sticky residue
 to remove since I had used the suggested (excellent) 3M Super 77 adhesive for mounting.
The upgraded overlay for the DPU-550 has double-sided tape applied in the proper areas, only.
An upgraded display mount design allows better pivoting positions & incorporates a cable tie strain relief.

Installed a galvanized steel extension plate to move the light's magnetic base towards the back.
The plate is an electrical-box cover.

An upgraded task/machine work light (USA) for the Jet 9x20 lathe setup.
It uses up to a 100W (maximum) halogen or incandescent lamp.


Double-walled shade with a finned aluminum heat sink keep it cool to the touch & extends switch life.
The lamp's head can be directed more effectively than the previous light.

Discarded the magnetic base & bolted directly to the cross-slide T-groove. The mount uses 6mm hex head
bolts with steel T-nuts. The original base bolts were ¼-20 but the 6mm bolts used here fitted perfectly.
Now the lamp is very secure when moving the head around & there is no magnet to attract metal swarf.

The arm pivots at both ends. Cement screws used as wall fasteners.
Since the mount is so rigid, there is no need to off-set the bracket like that done for the Mill DRO.
Plugged fastener access holes with black, ⅝" diameter, snap-in plastic caps. 
Cables are spiral wrapped for protection. Adding a deep red filter enhances the LED display contrast. 
The five LED indicators have circular (punched) red filters, placed in the enclosure cover, too.
The DRO is plugged into a surge protector.

9x20 Lathe X & Z1 Axes Scales. 9x20 Lathe Tachometer & SFM