Rikon stand alone indexer

[bob_dodd]

I've been cleaning the corners of the shop and collected enough parts to do this indexer build . The Rikon lathe I had set up across the Y axis , with a timing belt set up 72 tooth gear and a 20 tooth gear for 3.6 to 1 ,If I swap out belts I can use as a lathe , for the X travel there is rack and pinion with a PK 296 3.6 , The Z axis is also rack and pinion PK 296 3.6 , the control board is a old PRT BOARD which is fast enough for the turning that I do.

[myxpykalix]

That is clearly the work of a "Tinkerer"!
That is really cool. What is the length of your material you can use on it?

Here's a question i had...what axis did you assign this, X or Y? I guess it doesn't really matter as long as you create your files using the same axis assignments right? Good job

[gene]

So does it have a x y and z Travel ? if you wanted to make a corbel will it do that?

[myxpykalix]

If the long axis is X it doesn't look to me like it has a Y axis, it looks likes its mounted solid but i can't see it all. Regardless it's cool...

[phil_o]

Thanks for posting the information.

Phil

[bob_dodd]

I made a block the height of center of material , to zero the Z easy

Jack I can fit 40" in the indexer , and swing 5" , I use it as the X axis , as I like to design that way.

Gene it has B , X , Z AXIS , That is a interesting thought though about the Y , Something to think about

[Brady Watson]

Neat trick with the block, Bob. I hadn't thought of that one.

I wound up epoxying a piece of AL angle to the top of the tailstock and measured the distance to center. Then wrote a Custom Cut so that I can just put the Zzero plate on it & zero to that.

-B

[bob_dodd]

Brady ; Now that's what great about the forum , people come up with different ways of doing things ,

[myxpykalix]

Gee Bob I can't imagine where you came up with that fantastic idea for a jig to measure center lol

What i like about doing it this way is that you just slap your jig up on the indexer bed do a c2 and you're done. I have even forgotten to do it before i mounted my material and you can lay your jig next to your material and c2 or even padst your headstock and measured.

What i don't like about some of these offset methods others use is that if something corrupts your settings you won't have a disaster...(maybe?)

Anyway good job, i'm real impressed with your indexer

[Brady Watson]

What i don't like about some of these offset methods others use is that if something corrupts your settings you won't have a disaster...(maybe?)

This is why God made Sharpie markers....Write the value down somewhere near where you zero, or just remeasure it. It ain't rocket science

What happens if you lose your magic block?

-B