Grizzly has a import scale kit from iGuaging with a remote digital readout that reads in inch, metric, and fractions of an inch to three decimal places.  The display module has a couple of magnets in the back so that it will stick onto any steel surface. If the display is subject to blown swarf from cleanup, or chips flying about, it will collect them on the edge of the display case. I have been thinking of prying the magnet out and using double sided tape for mounting. I find this an effective method for mounting some things like displays. These displays will shut off after 5 minutes of no sensor movement, and when turned back on, resume the reading at the point that they were when the auto shutdown kicked in. That does not mean you can move the table around when the display is off and expect a accurate reading when you turn it back on.But if, for instance you are changing a cutter, or answering the phone, and come back and punch the on button on the scale display readout first, then start milling, all will be well in your world.

The kit comes with general mounting hardware and screws, two sets of batteries, and all cables, etc. The instructions are sort of an ad, and contain no usefull information, but luckily only common sense is needed.  The aluminium scale bar can be cut easily with a hacksaw to fit whatever tool you are installing on.The units seem to have an inborn zero end of the scale bar, and I would always cut the end opposite the zero end. Put batteries in and play with it before mounting or cutting to find this out..

When mounting these units there are things to be aware of, and I suspect this applies to any DRO system. The scale must be parallel to the movement and in the same plane as the sensor. So, when mounting, attach one end of the scale only, and then when the sensor is attached, move the sensor by the handwheel to the other end of travel. This is the free floating end. Examine the bracket to see that it lightly contacts the mount area, and that the scale is not bowed, if necessary, shim to correct this. Now mark and drill the second mount screw in this position.

You want to achieve a setup that is square and that the scale sensor does not drag or rub hard against the scale, if this happens you will lose repeatability, and create errors.

This unit can be zeroed to one end of the scale, and it will default to that when turned on. You can set to relative zero,  and work in both directions from this point. One way will read say, -187 and the other way will read .187.

The scale sensor cable  is equipped with a mini USB plug, and I suspect some skilled person will sooner or later write a program so that this sensor can be plugged into a laptop USB port and then the possibilities and uses will increase.

These things can be mounted on anything from tablesaws to lathes to mills. This is not the best system in the world, but it is an affordable addition to a home shop machine, as three axis mills can be equipped with digital readout for about $100. When your eyes get dim as us old folks do, it helps alot.

T21577, a 0-6" digital quill scale

T23014 is a 35" scale

T23013 is a 24" scale

Yeah, Tyler that'll do.

I don't see why that couldn't be done. CODCO sells a DRO head only, but there is little info about  the input plugs on their site.

The scales output must be similar to the chicom calipers we all have, and there is a site on the net where a guy has strapped an output plug onto that little output thingy on those calipers, and wrote a DOS program to make a DRO out of an old laptop.

The mini USB plugs sure look tempting. Works for me tha way it is.