Digital Readout for Southbend Linear Travel Using Cheap Caliper

thingiverse

Using a dial indicator is very accurate for the 1in of travel that they offer, but for anything longer, dial indicators are too expensive. I bought a very cheap digital caliper. This mounts just like a dial indicator would to a southbend 9" lathe. I mounted mine to the 9a. After facing off, the caliper can be zeroed. If you buy a caliper specific for the purpose, you can cut off the jaws to allow the calipers to mount over the quick change gear box. Please comment if you have any issues. I want this to fit any version of the SouthBend 9 and 10 Light versions. Please let me know if you have any design improvements. I am working on adding a piece to allow the caliper to read in both positive and negative movements. I used: 1x 1/4-20 Bolt that is 2-1/4long 1x 1/4-20 Bolt that is 1-1/4long 2x 1x 1/4-20 Nuts