Thread: MECA Rotary Tables

Originally Posted by RayG

I've been searching for information on Meca, and coming up pretty much blank.
All I did find quite a few recommendations saying, ( as you've pointed out ) they come with a top shelf reputation.
Meca and Yuasa seem to be the top of the line in rotary tables.

I was just about to say "What about Yuasa"?

I do like the notched edge for direct indexing. That would be handy.

My R/T has a grub screw (locked with a grub screw - actually it's grub screw then ball bearing then grub screw) that sets a maximum for the shaft rotation. The adjustment is for taking out backlash by rolling the screw further into the worm gear.

table adjustment (Large).jpg

Check about the dividing plates - I had a 6" Vertex and it had 3 plates with it but the 8" Yuasa I now have only has 2 plates. If you want hole counts and dimensions let me know and I'll do a sketch.

Michael

Ray,
Thanks for the offer of the dividing plates; but I already have a set for the 8", so hoping that they are a direct fit.

Ken

Originally Posted by RayG

Hi Matthew,

I've been searching for information on Meca, and coming up pretty much blank.
All I did find quite a few recommendations saying, ( as you've pointed out ) they come with a top shelf reputation. Meca and Yuasa seem to be the top of the line in rotary tables.
These two, have been around the block a few times and are still in pretty good condition, just dirty and a little beat up.
When you get time it would be good to see some pictures of yours, and if you come across any manuals or documentation let me know.

Regards
Ray

Ray I believe I have the origional manual for mine, The auction it came from was a closing down proto type facility. The Meca was in it's origional timber box (felt lined) with all the dividing plates bar one, But I havn't needed that one yet But when I first opened the box it was full of paperwork reciepts from callibration tests and im almost positive the manual was there with it all. The table I have used it abouy 5 times in the last 2 years so I am happy to have an educated guess and say I have used it more than anyone in the company I baught it from has,
Mine is thr compleate kit...,.,.,.

So Ray if you don't mind if I photocopy them for you to haqve your own book then.

Kind Regards,
Matthew Gischus`

Originally Posted by RayG

Hi Matthew,

I've been searching for information on Meca, and coming up pretty much blank.
All I did find quite a few recommendations saying, ( as you've pointed out ) they come with a top shelf reputation. Meca and Yuasa seem to be the top of the line in rotary tables.
These two, have been around the block a few times and are still in pretty good condition, just dirty and a little beat up.
When you get time it would be good to see some pictures of yours, and if you come across any manuals or documentation let me know.

Regards
Ray

Originally Posted by matthew_g

Ray I believe I have the origional manual for mine, The auction it came from was a closing down proto type facility. The Meca was in it's origional timber box (felt lined) with all the dividing plates bar one, But I havn't needed that one yet But when I first opened the box it was full of paperwork reciepts from callibration tests and im almost positive the manual was there with it all. The table I have used it abouy 5 times in the last 2 years so I am happy to have an educated guess and say I have used it more than anyone in the company I baught it from has,
Mine is thr compleate kit...,.,.,.

So Ray if you don't mind if I photocopy them for you to haqve your own book then.

Kind Regards,
Matthew Gischus`

1 more thing, You will never own another brand after a meca, I have never had a table rotate so smoothly as the Meca

Originally Posted by matthew_g

Ray I believe I have the origional manual for mine, The auction it came from was a closing down proto type facility. The Meca was in it's origional timber box (felt lined) with all the dividing plates bar one, But I havn't needed that one yet But when I first opened the box it was full of paperwork reciepts from callibration tests and im almost positive the manual was there with it all. The table I have used it abouy 5 times in the last 2 years so I am happy to have an educated guess and say I have used it more than anyone in the company I baught it from has,
Mine is thr compleate kit...,.,.,.

So Ray if you don't mind if I photocopy them for you to haqve your own book then.

Thanks Matthew, you are a life saver!

I've sent you a PM with my contact details.

I can vouch for the smoothness of operation, when we first got them home and were trying to figure out why one was stuck, Josh had flushed them with kerosene and filled them both with oil, both of them had dried out.

You could spin the handle and even with just a gently spin the table kept moving smoothly... silky smooth and rock solid..

The restoration is coming along, Josh is doing all the work ( as usual! ) and we might even get to a coat of primer before the weekend... pictures later.

Regards
Ray

While the main casting is soaking away in the caustic soda bath, there is little to do on the rotary table but to clean off the rust and get the bits and bobs into a better condition. I think I may know why this table was seized up, there is a small crack on the worm drive carrier(thanks Stuart) that would allow the oil bath to drain away all be it slowly. See pic bellow
DSCN3137.jpg

The table
DSCN3136.jpg

Some of the bits and bobs

DSCN3142.jpg

Originally Posted by Brobdingnagian

I think I may know why this table was seized up, there is a small crack on the worm drive carrier(thanks Stuart) that would allow the oil bath to drain away all be it slowly. See pic bellow
DSCN3137.jpg

How did I miss that?? hehe

Its a funny looking crack. casting fault?
Ffixable or bin in and make a new one?

Stuart

Originally Posted by Stustoys

How did I miss that?? hehe

Its a funny looking crack. casting fault?
Ffixable or bin in and make a new one?

Stuart

I thought you might have spotted it while it was still all assembled .

I think fixable. Maybe a little brazing to the rescue.

Well done the Meca stuff is first class.

Here's one for GregQ, did you know you can get custom spray cans?.... look for a U-POL dealer, they can mix up any colour you like ( as long as they have the formula ) ...

DSCN3162s.JPG

Hey presto spray can of RAL 6011....

Regards
Ray

Josh and I got one Meca rotary table finished and re-assembled, just finished the touchup paint, and cleaned off some overspray.

DSCN3193s.JPGDSCN3197s.JPG


As well as the new handle we also had to make new table locks, made them the same as the originals.

One down one to go..

Regards
Ray

PS: The oil leak caused by the crack on the worm drive carrier was repaired by filling with brazing and re-machining the seal.. here's hoping it doesn't leak..

Good work

The graduated ring looks gleaming, looks like one of you spent some time polishing! I like the way the coolant channels are made in the base, i seem to end up with it everywhere when i use my little R/T.

And here was you thinking i would finish the D/H first. I have been a little pre occupied, and now i have to play tetris with the shed to make some space. I also had some problems with the topcoat not bonding to the primer filler properly and puckering.....i've have to strip the top off almost all the parts and go again.

Cheers,
Ew

Originally Posted by matthew_g

Ray I believe I have the origional manual for mine, ...

Hi Matthew, I bought myself an used meca rotary table with indexing stuff on it and noticed about 135° of backlash on the hand wheel.
Is there some information regarding tuning the spindle backlash in your manual?
I'd be very interested in that


I know I have to turn the excenter tube to engage/disengage the spindle.
As it is a duplex worm gear, I heard I have to trim the axial position of the spindle in relation to the sprockets position with shims. Tried doing this in -> and out <-, but it doesn't really change that much.
Shimming somehow doesn't change the backlash, but makes it more loud turning into one direction while the another direction keeps "quiet"
Most noticable difference is when over-turning the excenter, without the stop bolt in it. But this of course makes it noisy and rough when turning...

Here are some pictures of it
IMG_20200429_203706.jpgIMG_20200429_203811_2.jpgIMG_20200429_203735.jpgIMG_20200429_203931.jpgIMG_20200429_203859.jpg

Originally Posted by RayG

... finished and re-assembled, just finished the touchup paint, and cleaned off some overspray.

DSCN3193s.JPGDSCN3197s.JPG...

Stunning result!
Do you know the exact type name of yours?

Hi MX39,
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Originally Posted by Grahame Collins

You have replied to a seven year old thread but some of the posters are still currently contributing to the Forums.

Grahame

Bugger, I only realised that on the 3rd last post myself. Does anyone know if this Aladdins cave at Echuca is still running?
That would be a great excuse to head down that way for our next hol, whenever we are allowed to travel.
peter