Rotary Table Question

ddyke · Subject: Rotary Table Question Sun Oct 25, 2009 5:27 pm

What size do I want for a Taig MILL? I guess I am asking what is the maximum size that is usable? Also, I can see uses for it on the lathe.

Dean W · Subject: Re: Rotary Table Question Sun Oct 25, 2009 9:09 pm

About four inches. When the RT gets too much over that it takes up a lot of room. Make sure you don't get one that is too thick, or it will really limit what you can put on it and still go under the spindle. You have to keep an eye on the main body of the RT too, regardless of the table size. Some of them are pretty big, even though the table is only 4" dia.
I made one sized just for the Taig milling machine, if you want to check it out:
http://www.deansphotographica.com/machining/projects/mill/rotary/rotary1.html

The one that Sherline sells is also sized perfectly for our machines.

Dean

ddyke · Subject: Re: Rotary Table Question Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:20 am

Thank you for the answer.That is what I had concluded but was not sure if there was something I was missing. The vertical height is not as big an issue with me as with some because of the nature of what I am doing.

Dean W · Subject: Re: Rotary Table Question Mon Oct 26, 2009 3:53 pm

ddyke wrote:

The vertical height is not as big an issue with me as with some because of the nature of what I am doing.

You know your own needs better than anyone else, of course. You just have to take into consideration everything that will be stacked between the spindle nose and the top of the table. You run out of room pretty fast if you have something like 4" of boring head and cutter hanging off the spindle, and 2.5" of rotary table on the X slide. Not much left for a working envelope!

I know that Rick Kernell (member here) has the Sherline RT, and has mentioned to me that it works nice for the Taig mill. There are probably others here that use different brands. Hopefully they will chime in to give you an idea of what particular models to check out.

Dean

ddyke · Subject: Re: Rotary Table Question Mon Oct 26, 2009 4:18 pm

I have not bought one yet. The Sherline is on my list. Of course the list grows with things that appear to be useful. I was given this huge Atlas drill press that weighs in at close to 400 lbs. I was told it will do precision drilling, but I do not know until I try it. The rotary table will also be used there, if it is as good as I was told. If it is precision then the boring will be done there as well. The Atlas needs a base added that is substantial.

Dan

fretsman · Number of posts: 414 Registration date: 2008-12-07 Age: 43

I honestly don't think you'll be disappointed with the 4" as it's an amazingly well built unit. It cost a little bit of an investment but worth every penny .

Dave