6 vs 12

[bob_dodd]

I put this togather , I know it looks low tech , but it works well for the cost of a 18-1 stepper motor & driver, a chuck & adaptor (Grizzly) , A threaded rod & nut (nut in pocket inside plywood). I line this up on my grid & screw it down according to the size of the project , this could be set up in the X or Y . This is a inexpensive way to test the indexer.
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[rb99]

Do you even need the chuck or could you get away with a plate that screws into the work, and fits on the motor like the pinions with a set screw?

RIB

[greolt]

The majority of work holding devices you have ever seen used on a wood lathe will work on a rotary axis.

Greg

[rb99]

How do you find the center of your piece?

Just manually or is there a trick?

RIB

[myxpykalix]

why simple...with a centerfinder or course!!
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=688
there is one for square and one for round

[rb99]

I knew there had to be a trick!

That looks like something that could be made on the Shopbot.

Thanks,

RIB

[myxpykalix]

"ask and ye shall recieve"


CenterFinder1.zip (5.5 k)

[jerry_stanek]

I just draw two diagonal lines across the stock. the center is the center.

[navigator7]

Oh Jerry....you took the fun out of it! ;-)

Now...how about finding the center of round stock?
I am told to use a compass but I can't get mine to work:

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A boat building company was in a pinch and wanted to turn a piece of teak on my 16" Lodge and Shipley lathe.
I had a "paying" part gripped and was unwilling to make all my prep work obsolete.....plus the idea of getting teak chips stuck to my well oiled machine was very unappealing.

My poor attitude didn't stop these guys! I went by their shop (next door) and they had a floor mounted drill press bar clamped to a shop table and in no time had a teak flag pole better than store bought.

I guess my comment on Bob Dodd's indexer is ...Right on!
I'm not sure which is more fun: Creating fixtures that work or making money with fixtures created out of materials on hand?

I'm building a snow melter from a Montana Department of Highways asphalt tank. 12,000,000 BTU's of unadulterated heat undoing what Mother Nature has set upon us.
;-)
What is it about naysayers?

Now I know how Noah felt building the arc.
;-)

[jerry_stanek]

Chuck you must not be orienting your stock corectly for that compass to work