so I received a little flyer in the mail today and what caught my eye was a lovely little 4" Horizontal/Vertical Rotary Table from Busy-Bee Tools, Model number B2724 reg $199 now on for $147

Comes Complete with 2pc 6mm clamping studs, 2 3/8", 2 pc t nuts, 2 clamping straps, and 2 pcs steps, weight 4.1 kg (9lbs)



Would this be a relatively easy conversion to CNC, I have a 4th axis Powermax II Motor, 180oz Model P21nsxc-Lss-N8-03 48W 1500 rpm
motor that is just sitting there hooked up to my controller box, this would work to run this? Any Ideas, Suggestions, helpful tips, other ideas?

Bryan

Sounds like a pretty low cost alternative by adapting a stepper motor and coupling to this rotary table when compared to a Sherline CNC ready 4th axis ($320 US).

the only reservations i would have would be knowing the quality of the rotary table before making the plunge.

keep us posted!

I would speculate that the backlash on an inexpensive 'import' rotary table would be quite high. When machining by hand you get used to compensating for backlash. With CNC it is a different story as you realistically need as little backlash in the system as possible. Maybe it has some sort of adjustment on the table to limit backlash?

Bryan,

I don't know how "fussy" you are about your work but I was told by many sherline table users that, for the money, you're nuts for going with anything else.

I bought a non-cnc model Sherline and I love it. It's a serious little table and you would not be disappointed as it's only got about a .001-0.002" backlash and I'm sure with a little fudging, I could get it less than that as well.

I haven't done a lot of 4th axis work at all yet (keep putting it on the back burner) but I've done some tests and projects with it and it works beautifully. I made up a baseplate and added a stepper and I'm very pleased with it.

Dave