New Version of Android DRO Coming

This version of the application has been released quite some time ago. A new version of the Android DRO application is in the works, due to be released on or before August 10, 2013.

It's been more than two months since the initial release of my Android Digital Readout application Touch DRO. The first version was very basic, offering only a few functions commonly found on a digital caliper. After bit over two months of work I'm getting close to releasing a new version. The new version has a number of bug fixes and improvements, as well as some long overdue features, such as point memory, position preset and the so-called 1/2 function.

Jet Lathe Wet Apron Conversion

Last week I posted my progress cleaning the apron on my “new” Jet 1024P lathe. As I said, I am very pleased with the overall condition and build quality. As I was putting the apron back together I realized that there are no provisions to oil the insides once it's coupled with the saddle. The only way to get any lubricant into the apron is through the opening around the cross slide screw, but it is normally covered with a piece of sheep metal bolted to the saddle. Getting to it isn't very convenient, but even once the cover is removed only some of the gears are accessible.

Cleaning Up Jet 1024P's Apron

You won't believe it, but there is an apron under all this gunk.

When I purchased my Jet 1024P lathe a few weeks ago I pretty much knew that I will spend hours and hours bringing it back to a serviceable condition. Although the important parts of the lathe appeared to be in good condition, there was something loose in the apron. Engaging one of the power feeds made horrible grinding noise. It didn't feel like a broken gear or a missing tooth, so my guess was a loose key or something similar. Before spending time on anything else, I decided to dig into the apron. Taking it off the lathe didn't take much effort: after removing the lead screw, I had to loosen two hex screws on the top and the apron readily disconnected from the rest of the carriage assembly.

Jet 1024P - Construction and Build

You might remember from my last post that I’ve acquired an old Jet 1024P metal lathe. The machine is solid but appears to be poorly [if at all] maintained and extremely dirty. In process of removing what looks like three decades worth of chips and grease, I was finally able to closely inspect the lathe, and even run the spindle for a few minutes. I will reserve the final judgement on the condition and quality until the overhaul is done. On the other hand, I have a good idea of the features and the construction. Since I’m upgrading from a 920 lathe, this will be somewhat of a side-by-side comparison of features that I’ve found to be important for my particular needs.

My New 30-year Old Jet 1024 Lathe

Late '70s Jet 1024P Lathe

This weekend I picked up an old (presumably late '70s) Jet 1024P lathe. Surprisingly, there is little or no info on the internet about this machine. I suspect I'm not the only one having trouble finding the information, therefore, as I'm working through the lathe, I will be posting detailed write-ups and pictures.

Gumdrop Case to Make Galaxy Tab Garage-Worthy

7" Galaxy Tab 2 in Gumdrop Protective Case

Swarf-covered mill or lathe is hardly the an ideal environment for a brand-new Android tablet. I have a bit of OCD when it comes to keeping my toys in mint condition, therefore the first order of business for me was getting a protective case for my brand-spanking-new Samsung Galaxy Tab 2. None of the local stores carried any cases that looked remotely rugged. Online, though, there are several cases that looked promising, ranging from $10 for a generic silicone case to $70 for a top-of-the line Otterbox. At the end I took a bit of a shot in the dark and ordered one of the Gumdrop Drop Tech cases four around $60.

Choosing an Android Tablet for the DRO Application

When I started the Android Digital Readout project my only tablet was a rooted B&N Nook Color. At that time it was one of the few tablets that could be had for under $300, but it came with a few limitations. First of all, it required rooting to be usable, which voided the warranty etc. Second, the Bluetooth was included “by accident”. While Bluetooth was a part of the wireless chip, the feature was not fully implemented on the hardware level, and was lacking an antenna. This reduced the range to a few feet at most. Finally, even the custom ROMs only went up to Android v2.3 [Gingerbread]. There is nothing inherently wrong with this particular version, but Honeycomb (3.0) and Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) have much better tablet support.

Android Digital Readout Micro FAQ

Since I first posted the screenshot of my Android DRO app I've received a lot of questions and feedback. Additionally, there have been discussions about the project on several forums and groups I read. In this post I will try to provide some answers and explanations as a mini-FAQ.