6 vs 12

[kevin]

I want get a indexing head which is better
will manly be used in kitchens between 4 and 5 inches
i know that it will add more variety
to spend 3000 vs 6000 .What are the advanges
Picture below show what it will manily be used for
(#15102) 6" Rotary Indexing Head (for PRSalpha); PRICE $3,075

(#15104) 12" Rotary Indexing Head with planetary gearhead (for PRSalpha); PRICE $5,995


3034

[steve]

Kevin , I have a 6" indexer and find it will do most of what I want. The largest pieces I've done so far are coloums 8x8x64" in poplar , no problem. I want to do larger posts , say... 10" x 10' , for that I would like to have a 12" indexer. Here is a picture of some of the posts I do. These are 4x4x32"
3035

[myxpykalix]

beautiful stuff stephen. I love the basketweave how long does that take to make?

kevin depending on how/where you are mounting the indexer may determine the size you can use. I think a 6" indexer ought to do all you need to do.

[steve]

hi Jack , after the turning is done I think the weave takes about 7 hours with a 1/8" round nose and a .0075 stepover. The stepover could be increased for a shorter time.

[steve]

This is the quality of cut I get with an 1/8" roundnose bit and small stepover. This is a closeup of another panel , same weave.
3036

[navigator7]

Stephen,
In the creation of a file like your weave above, is it advantageous to create the pockets in the 3D model with a radius just a bit bigger than your 1/8" round nose bit?

Or ..... do you just take what you get as the ball nose can only deliver what it can deliver?

[steve]

Hi Jim , here are the Feed Rate, Plunge Rate, and Spindle RPM , 1.66 ips , .5ips , 15000rpm. I use artcam and these settings were picked by the software ( except the .5ips plunge). I don't think it ever goes at 1.66 , too many places to slow down.

[steve]

Chuck , I use the texture tool in artcam , you can determin the width of the weave and the size of the space between (if any). I assume in the relief the pockets have square corners , the bit , of course , leaves an 1/8" radius wich is OK with me.
3037

[kevin]

tahnks for the reposense
ive watched this form for a while the work is incerible
i will get a 6
i have 60 by 96 what is the best postion?
i hope apire2.5 makes it easy or artcam steep price

thanks for all posts

[steve]

Kevin , I have a 60x96 also. I have my indexer parallel to the X axis.
3038

[myxpykalix]

kevin if you have the option depending on the table you have I HIGHLY recommend you mount it in the X. It will allow you to do so much more then if mounted in the Y.

[pfulghum]

Kevin,

$5K for an indexer is just silly.

I really like my 18:1 geared setup, I'm into it about $150 gecko, $100 Power Supply, PK296 with mount $300, a little machining and hacking and I am done. I only can do 60RPM, but that is plenty.

At first I ran my indexer parallel to the Y, I could do 10" round work but was limited to 36" length. I know have it mounted parallel to the X, but am limited by 7.5" between table and gantry.

Take a look at this post...
http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/show.cgi?tpc=33571&post=96686#POST96686

You will see my indexer both parallel to the Y and the X.

If I had to do it all over again I would really like to have a 60x96 instead of 48x96... but that just isn't pratical now. Something similar to Stephen Mosher's picture.

Would it be usefull to do a complete right up on a "poor man's indexer".

-- Pat

[kevin]

steven thanks for the picture
pat how complicated was it yo set up i dont have much time
thanks for the heads up on the x

aspire 2.5 vs atcam ?

the above picture of steven is what i.am after more variety for 3000 i can get it back in a couple of kitchens

[bob_s]

Pat
I would really like to see the info on a "poor man's" indexer. I am sure that Shopbot's indexer is first rate, but until I can make my prs Alpha really pay for itself I cannot make that sort of investment. Until then I would like to use something, and really don't want to try and reinvent it if someone already has a working model. I have seen the old posts, but an up to date one would be appreciated-
If you get to Atlanta I'll buy the beer.
Thanks
Bob

[mitch_prest]

Is there any reason an indexer from another machine could not be used. I am not familiar with the hardware to drive one, but should most controllers be compatible. Below is a picture of a indexer I came across that with the drive controller is around $1200. A tailstock is about a hundred and a 3 or 4 jaw chuck is about $250. What information would I need to find out if this would work... this is a 6 in... an 8 inch indexer is about a hundred more

mitch
3039

[rb99]

Ask Khalid!

Is there a brand name or a URL that I could look up?

RIB

[frank134]

pat It would be very nice if you did a complete write up on your indexer. I would like to try and use one but don't want to invest the money on one from shopbot yet.
thank
frank

[bill.young]

There's the beginning of some info on homebrew indexers on the wiki at http://shopbotwiki.com/index.php?title=HomeBrewLatheMain ...that might be a good place to add more info so everyone can access it.

[myxpykalix]

frank do a search for Jay Wyant he put together a indexer setup for around $500.00 i believe.

[frank134]

Thank Jack

[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.
3040

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3042

[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 (http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/messages/33571/CenterFinder1-49330.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:

3043

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

[myxpykalix]

round stock center finder
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=16901&filter=round%20stock%20cent er%20finder


3044

The one i have is plastic and longer and cheaper

[myxpykalix]

round centerfinder

3045

so as not to hijack this thread....

"We now return to our normal programming already in progress"....

[mitch_prest]

as you can see in the last post... the center finder is not big enough for a 12 inch piece of wood... therefore you should only get a 6 inch indexer.... and with that we are back on topic

[myxpykalix]

I have made a few columns that were 11-12" diameter with a 6" indexer. However I have a prt alpha with a custom table with a gulley and not knowing what machine/table you have you may not have the ability to do the same thing however by getting a 12" indexer you could make yourself a torsion box for the table and create your own indexer gulley. I have seen some pictures here of guys who have done that, do a search and you'll see examples.
I think you will be able to make 90% of what you want with a 6" indexer, i think that would be fine.