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Steamwhisperer
7th Jul 2018, 11:52 PM
I recently needed to do some indexing on my lathe and an indexing mechanism had been on my list for an awful long time.
I will as usual apologise for the laziness of my work but I 'was' in a hurry and I used what was on hand:wink:.
I have to say it worked very well.

Phil
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KBs PensNmore
8th Jul 2018, 12:45 AM
I like the KISS principle, Keep It simple Sir, and can't get any simpler that what you've done.:2tsup:
Top marks for enginuety.
Kryn

BaronJ
8th Jul 2018, 02:55 AM
Hi Phil,

Very nicely done :2tsup: I like that, a lot.

morrisman
8th Jul 2018, 11:55 AM
That's a well thought out gadget ! Sorry if I missed something but can you lock the lathe spindle so that it can't move and upset the work in progress ?

Steamwhisperer
8th Jul 2018, 01:52 PM
That's a well thought out gadget ! Sorry if I missed something but can you lock the lathe spindle so that it can't move and upset the work in progress ?

Hi MM
my lathe doesn't have a way of locking the spindle but the indexer does both. It does part rotations of the chuck using the selected gear, depending on how many divisions on whatever it is I might need to do and when the detent is engaged, it stops the chuck from rotating.
The job I built it for was the little pinion gear(http://metalworkforums.com/f303/t202023-primus-lamp-wick-feeder-pinion/latest/post1936579#post1936579) which, being so small it needed a definite lock as small rotation was a big rotation cutting the teeth. I had 8 teeth to cut on a 6 mm diameter blank. I even had to put my glasses on.

Phil

19brendan81
10th Jul 2018, 11:07 AM
Nice build Phil - as discussed over PM its one I intend on copying!

Re spindle locking - I wonder if there is a way we could use the lathes brake to do this? Install some sort of a hand brake lever maybe.

Steamwhisperer
10th Jul 2018, 10:39 PM
Nice build Phil - as discussed over PM its one I intend on copying!

Re spindle locking - I wonder if there is a way we could use the lathes brake to do this? Install some sort of a hand brake lever maybe.

Hi Brendan
After indexing and while cutting, I stuck my foot on the brake as a bit of insurance, even though the detent did the job due to it being directly attached to the spindle.

Phil

Nrcollar
19th Jul 2018, 07:38 AM
Phil
How do you mount on the other end? The work piece?
Nelson

Steamwhisperer
19th Jul 2018, 08:44 AM
Phil
How do you mount on the other end? The work piece?
Nelson

Hi Nelson
the job I built it for was the little pinion gear I had to make. I put the material into the chuck of the lathe. With the indexer at the back (extreme left) of the lathe locating into the appropriate change gear mounted into headstock spindle using the collet, there becomes a direct connection to the lathe chuck for indexing via the gears teeth.

Phil

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Nrcollar
19th Jul 2018, 09:12 AM
Phil
I see you use your chuck to hold the work piece. Very nice job. I made one similar to that, I use on my South Bend.
Thanks for your response
Nelson