I think this is being done quite regularly. Additionally, you don't
have to buy a cheap caliper, you can buy a cheap digital scale. I
believe MSC/Travers/ Emco all have something that might help.
Here's a page with some ideas:
http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_lathe...ow_DRO/dro.htm
The folks who have the smaller Chinese mills/drills/lathes are
doing some pretty fun things.
I've been trying to figure out how to extend my digital caliper.
Someone makes an extension bar for the standard six inch variety.
Anyone know about those?

Charles Morrill