Wells/Index 55 mill DRO add on

[Bobf]

I have an old (Wells) Index 55 SN 4435 manual mill built in 1952. I've had it since 1987 and it's just hobby use no production. I've had use of an import 9X42 CNC mill in my garage/shop for a couple years and have grown fond of the DRO even in manual opr'n. My son-in-law (machinist) actually owns the machine and is moving into a small shop and wants the CNC machine for production work.
I'm curious if anyone has successfully mounted one of the cheap import DRO's to the earlier Wells/Index mills. They aren't square and boxy like the newer mills I've used/seen.

 

[zkling]

Can you post a pic of it? Is it like this one?
http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=12622

If so it shouldn't be too difficult to add a DRO/scales to the X and Y, Z may be a bit more challenging, but doable. You are going to have to drill and tap into the knee and saddle to mount the scales. Do you have a DRO manufacture picked out yet? I would start by measuring your table travel needed in each axis and go from there. I've seen some ancient stuff with DRO's on them.

 

[gorilla]

A friend of mine has a Wells Index mill that looks just like yours. He installed a DRO on his from a company that advertises in Home Shop Machinist called Shooting Star and seems happy with it. His choice was because he is a cheap SOB and that unit is about $600.00.

 

[mikegt4]

Ask here, there are probably several people that have done it. You will probably going to have to make some custom brackets but that is not difficult to do.
http://www.hobby-machinist.com/forumdisplay.php/138-WELLS-INDEX-TREE-RIVETT-amp-B-amp-S-MACHINES

 

[Thruxton]

A friend of mine has a Wells Index mill that looks just like yours. He installed a DRO on his from a company that advertises in Home Shop Machinist called Shooting Star and seems happy with it. His choice was because he is a cheap SOB and that unit is about $600.00.

I put one of the first ones they (Shooting Star) made on a Chinese mill-drill I owned, and I was VERY pleased with it

 

[Bobf]

Yes, it's pretty much like the one in the link ZKLINK posted. These old Index machines were shaped more like the Pillsbury dough boy than a Bridgeport with few flat/parallel surfaces for the X/Y slides. I may just give it a shot as there are several cheap (I'm a cheap SOB too) units available 3 axis for less than $500.
The X/Y should be rather straight forward but the knee mount may be a little more challenging.
Thanks for all the replies.

I have the PTF end covers off in the pix to replace a broken u-joint taper pin