Any Sherline milling machine can be ordered with digital readouts factory installed. The installation includes special handwheels with built-in electronic encoders taht replace the standard handwheels. These handwheels are connected to an electronic readout box that translates the handwheel movement into a display of table travel for each of the three axes of movement. The readout for any axis can be reset to zero at any time with the push of a button. Spindle RPM is also constantly displayed on the box whenever the motor is running. The readout can be fitted to either inch or metric machines. Metric displays read to hundredths of a millimeter. See the drop-down menu below for part numbers for each machine.
Digital readouts have become increasingly popular in professional machine shops in recent years because they make working with dimensions easier and help eliminate mistakes in counting handwheel revolutions. The display shows the position of each axis in relation to a zero point that you establish. It shows movement to three and a half decimal places or to within .0005" (or to within .01 mm on metric versions). Backlash can be electronically eliminated by setting its measured value into the readout box for each axis. When handwheel rotation changes direction, the backlash value is electronically subtracted before the readout counts in the other direction.
The ease with which distance and direction can be kept track of with this system will add a new level of enjoyment to your machining. It also helps eliminate some of the tedious job of keeping track of handwheel revolutions and thereby helps eliminate errors.