FILENAMES: DIAL2INA.JPG DIAL2INB.JPG DIAL2INC.JPG DIAL2IN.GIF DESCRIPTION: These are pictures of a poor mans lathe DRO . Posted by Ted Edwards . Ted provided the following description: ================================================================= A Dial Gage for Carriage Travel or The Poor Man's DRO by E.M. (Ted) Edwards Drawing: DIAL2IN.GIF Photos: DIAL2INA.JPG, DIAL2INB.JPG, DIAL2INC.JPG I have a Smithy 3-in-1 and no DRO. When Princess Auto had a sale on 2" travel dial gages for Cdn$30, I saw an oportunity to get at least part way there. The idea is to clamp a dial gage to the ways with the tip of the probe resting against the side of the carriage. The clamping can be done with an inexpensive magnetic base to which is attached to something to hold the dial gage in good alignment. The alignment is critical - 1 degree of misalignment will give 1-1/2 tenths per inch of travel or 3 tenths over the 2" travel of the dial gage. Since it is easy to estimate the dial gage reading to about 2 tenths, the alignment should be held to better than one degree to get full use of the device. Photo DIAL2INA.JPG shows the unit ready to attach to the lathe/mill. It is rested on the ways, between the carriage and the tailstock, with the on/off switch up and the dial gage probe to the left. The magnet is switched on while the unit is held firmly against the ways. I have found it easy to position it at some reasonable setting within a few thou. I then rotate the face of the gage to zero it. Although backlash from the lead screw has no effect, there is still a very slight backlash (a couple thou) from slight twist of the carriage. It is therefore best to approach the work from the same direction when about to cut. I have found this device very convenient for any job within its range. Note that the range may be increased by using a 1-2-3 block between the carriage and the dial gage probe.