Elliott OMNISPEED lathe

[Smouser]

I plugged the scales in, turned the DRO on and I was ready to go!
The Sino X-Axis scale worked perfectly, the eBay purchased one did not


A big fat Zero was the only thing displayed on the DRO for the Z-axis.
I swapped the cables around to see if it would make any difference, but it did not.

I was panicking thinking I might have a 'dead on arrival' scale from eBay and was NOT looking forward to removing it again.

Luckily my milling machine is close to the lathe and I could plug the Z-axis scale into the milling machine's DRO to test it.
It worked!

So, I did not have a broken scale but it did not want to work on the Sino DRO.
This is despite the Sino DRO stating it will work with any Chinese Linear Scale.

I found this page in the Sino DRO's manual

Mmmmm different wiring standards.

Time to open up the two connectors of the scales.
The white connector is the Sino scale and the blue connector is the ToAuto eBay scale.

They are not the same!

I did some googling and came across an article on the TouchDro website

Great. Wish I knew that the pinout on DRO scales is not standardised beforehand.

The Sino scale's pinout was displayed on the scale's listing and also corresponded to the pinout page in the Sino DRO's manual.

The eBay scale's pinout was not.

I googled for a bit and luckily found the pin layout for the ToAuto scales.
From the pinout I could work out which colour wire was for what function.
Yes, the wire colours are not standardized either

I desoldered the cables on the ToAuto scales and soldered them back in the positions the Sino DRO requires and all was well!

 

[Pawcu]

Wow very good progress
Nice thinking about modifying the guard of the x axis - don't know why I didn't think to do that... I guess I was just in a hurry to get it installed xD
I did end up doing a bump stop that I installed on the carriage rather than the tail stock but either way works - will try and take some pictures of it.
By the way, did you happen to test that the scales work well? I'm currently having a lot of trouble with some form of backlash on the read heads if I compare readings to a DTI :/

EDIT: @Smouser Also just found out - that all these SINO scales, are not actually SINO, the company went bust a couple of years ago and most SINO branded scales are mostly just chinese scales with SINO branded on them :/ Would have been good to know this before i bought all SINO scales...

Ditron vs. Sino vs. Aikron glass DRO scales

I hope I’m posting in the right forum- I plan to install TouchDRO on my Elliott Omnimill 00. The TouchDRO seems like a great option. From cost/effectiveness considerations, glass scales seem to fit best to my needs and budget. There are three brands recommended in the TouchDRO website- Ditron...

www.practicalmachinist.com

 

[Smouser]

Wow very good progress
Nice thinking about modifying the guard of the x axis - don't know why I didn't think to do that... I guess I was just in a hurry to get it installed xD
I did end up doing a bump stop that I installed on the carriage rather than the tail stock but either way works - will try and take some pictures of it.
By the way, did you happen to test that the scales work well? I'm currently having a lot of trouble with some form of backlash on the read heads if I compare readings to a DTI :/

Thank you.

I have not installed a bump stop yet so I could go to the carriage too. Good reminder that I need to order a bump stop

I have not tested the accuracy of the scales yet at all. I have not even used the lathe since installing the scales.
I am currently trying to get my surface grinder up and running. Hopefully, I will get a chance to play on the lathe this weekend.

 

[Pawcu]

This is the bump stop i created - nothing fancy just a piece of delrin with some rubber left over from the way wipers glued on:

 

[Smouser]

This is the bump stop i created - nothing fancy just a piece of delrin with some rubber left over from the way wipers glued on:
View attachment 436023

I like it. Use what you have available!

 

[Colin H]

Yeah I am running VFDs on all my 3phase machines... so far no complaints
If the manuals are correct you might have the 6hp version which might be a bit more expensive to find a VFD capable of that power however if you search around you should be able to find something. I also have a seller on aliexpress where i bought my VFDs from that has VFDs that can bump the Voltage up to 380V:

VFD 0.75kw 1.5 2.2kw 220v to 380v single phase input 380v 3 phase output AC Frequency Inverter AC drives /frequency converter Nf - AliExpress 13

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

They should have one for 5Kw as well but you might have to message them for it.
Either way like you said, better confirm the plate of the motor... gdluck
And like @Smouser said most of the things should be the same so follow the manuals
When in doubt ask

I use a 7.5kW version 230v to 400v (380) and runs my chipmaster perfect and Elliot Mill. I’m only pulling 2kW but if you oversize you can even use as phase converter. I have hard started and stopped motors with it and even run my surface grinder with 415 control cabinet, all works fine.

If I was going to disconnect motors regularly while VFD running I would run a small motor all the time to absorb transients.

My mill and lathe now start stop from inverter signals ran to switch on machine and back. My mill uses a simple emergency stop for the 24v signal.

 

[Colin H]

Looking a fine machine now! I have to stop coming in here as I haven’t even finished the Chipmaster yet and this looks like nice size to fit in its place!

 

[JohnMC]

Hi guys, I’ve hardly had chance to look at my Omnispeed since I got her into the workshop.

However I have noticed that I am missing a 020 change gear. Would anyone have the specs on it by chance? Size and number of teeth?

That way I can get one made.

Thanks in advance!

I’ve attached pictures of the gear-less shaft, one of @Smouser ’s as it is in situ on his and the manual.

Any help appreciated

 

[Pete.]

This chart from @Smouser thread indicates a 42T gear as standard. If you measure the diameter of the 54T one below it I'll tell you what type it is.

 

[Smouser]

Hi guys, I’ve hardly had chance to look at my Omnispeed since I got her into the workshop.

However I have noticed that I am missing a 020 change gear. Would anyone have the specs on it by chance? Size and number of teeth?

That way I can get one made.

Thanks in advance!

I’ve attached pictures of the gear-less shaft, one of @Smouser ’s as it is in situ on his and the manual.

Any help appreciated

View attachment 440034 View attachment 440035 View attachment 440036 View attachment 440037

Sorry @JohnMC, I am away with work in the USA until the end of March. Luckily, it looks like @Pete. sorted you out.

 

[JohnMC]

Thanks both, I’m new to the world of lathes; but thanks to you I’m learning all the time