Regular site visitor Mike Holdoway was taken with the idea of the Micro DRO and has come up with a useful modification that extends the length of the probe.
After removing the small flat on the end of the probe, Mike drilled a 1mm hole longitudinally to a depth of 1/4″. A 1″ length of a broken 1 mm drill was then Araldited into the hole so that it protruded 3/4″. This was then enclosed in ‘chemical metal’ (Plastic Padding) which, when set, was ground to blend with the cross section of the probe with a Dremel tool.
The increased length of the probe (which is extremely strong) easily accommodated the external compression spring allowing the full length of the DRO to be used – 1.033″ although Mike suggests a limit of 1″.
In the end Mike opted for the ‘push/pull’ motion of a magnetic tip.
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- Remove the small flat on the end of the probe. Drill 1mm hole and insert steel probe secured with a touch of Araldite.
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- Enclose in ‘chemical metal’ (Plastic Padding) which when set can be ground to blend with the cross section of the probe.
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- Extended probe on Mike’s Micro DRO and using the push/pull effect of the magnetic tip.
I must say that I find these Micro DROs brilliant in use particularly when setting the final cuts on a turning operation where precision is paramount.