Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Which to trust, home-built DROs or hash marks?

I finally got around to measuring the endmill I used, my digital calipers (I
dont have a micrometer) said it was 0.503" across. Its looking like the
lead screw has 0.001" error per rotation of the handles (1% error), and then
the 0.003" wider-than-expected diameter of the endmill contributed to get
the 2.015" width of the milled flats.

Total project status:
My Z axis encoder and strip from US digital arrived yesterday, the X axis
parts from EncoderTech.com should be showing up today.

Here's some pics of the Y axis, I'm going to bend a piece of sheet metal to
guard the encoder from the sides and top from any falling debris when I'm
all done installing the other axis.
http://www.chesapeake.net/~mcfadden/bigtoys/dro/front.JPG
http://www.chesapeake.net/~mcfadden/bigtoys/dro/side.JPG
http://www.chesapeake.net/~mcfadden/bigtoys/dro/side2.JPG

I'm probably going to rip apart one of my broken keyboards and make a small
project box with the X, Y and Z zero and the absolute/incremental mode (the
software I'm using has absolute mode, and four independant incremental
modes) keys on it so I can position the box close at hand and not have to
worry about oil or chips falling off my fingers and into the keyboard of the
laptop.

John