DRO

I have modified the Harbor Freight 6" digital caliper for use as a digital scale on the cross-feed of my lathe. I mounted it on the front side of the cross-feed so that it would not block access to the gib screws on the back side. It is connected to the Zietlow Design DRO-2 digital readout.

A somewhat better, but more expensive option is a 4" “quill kit” digital scale. It is better because you don’t have to modify it in order to mount it. With either one, though, you will need an external readout since the places where you can mount the scale do not leave the on-board readout in a very readable position.

In fact on mine, the readout is upside down. This was done because it allowed for the most convenient mounting.

Comparison of 6" HF digital caliper and 4" quill kit scale.

Somtime around September 03 I plan to publish a Premium Content article with the details of modifying the HF caliper and mounting the scales on the lathe.