Thread: idears for indexing (disc rotors)

Haven't tried that. I found a procedure someplace to use a circular saw blade as indexing to drill holes for an indexing wheel. I figure, why not just use the blade as the index wheel?. Need to modify the centre hole for mounting, and use a swinging pin holder to engage the gullet in a radial direction. Swing radius and pin size would depend on the blade size and gullet form. Might be able to make one swing radius work for multiple diameters. This could provide oddball divisions which are hard to get in a normal wheel. For example, 54 teeth = 2 x 3 x 3 x 3; = 18 x 3, 6 x 9, 9 x 6, etc. Just need to factor the number of teeth into prime numbers, and take whatever combinations you like. Table of "Factors and Primes" in my old copy of Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, but likely available on the net[*]. Old saw blades, so dull they can't cut butter, usually available at garage sales for less than $1 each. Still in design stage, though.

[* Also treated in Machinery's Handbook, but needs more hands-on arithmetic.]

Joe

Originally Posted by Twinnie

has any one used these before?

Matt

Haven't used one but I wish I had bloody well thought of it way back when I was hunting around for a 36,60 or 72 tooth cog, gear or sprocket to make an indexer for the MC900! Couldn't find anything suitable and made this instead. Ripper idea Matt - post some pics when you get it done (you have committed yourself now you realise!? )

yep i'm going to pick up a second hand disc tomorrow. problem is i don't have a lathe to put it on! it's going to go on my nova 1624 when i get it.

Matt

This may help y'all make your indexing disks. Go to this web site >> http://www.smithart.us/index.htm << and click on "Downloads & Misc". You will find a list of downloadable, printable, index disks to overlay your actual disk, and mark the holes. Rather nice of this fella to do all this work and offer the plans at no cost.

Originally Posted by joe greiner

Haven't tried that. I found a procedure someplace to use a circular saw blade as indexing to drill holes for an indexing wheel. I figure, why not just use the blade as the index wheel?. Need to modify the centre hole for mounting, and use a swinging pin holder to engage the gullet in a radial direction. Swing radius and pin size would depend on the blade size and gullet form. Might be able to make one swing radius work for usually available at garage sales for less than $1 each. Still in design stage, though.
Joe

Hi ,Joe good idea! i too had read about this- in the machinist bedside reader,the first i think.He has description on how to make index plates of all sorts,good value for money books.Maybe your local library has it.Here is a link to the books:
http://www.lautard.com/t1.htm
Let us know how you get on.Regards

Originally Posted by Gil Jones

This may help y'all make your indexing disks. Go to this web site >> http://www.smithart.us/index.htm << and click on "Downloads & Misc". You will find a list of downloadable, printable, index disks to overlay your actual disk, and mark the holes. Rather nice of this fella to do all this work and offer the plans at no cost.

Not only that, but you can resize them by using the scale function in Adobe PDF reader.

Fortunately (Unfortunately? ), I have some proficiency with CAD. AutoCAD has a capability of generating polar arrays. Although unusual pitches of 7 or 11 divisions might be cool, this is the sort of thing that can get out of hand in a hurry. Only reason I'd want, say, 23 divisions would be to show off.

Joe

i got a disk today but the holes are all over the shop! almost random spacing so thats going to be made into a big spinning top! i'll keep looking for a disk thats better. i had a look at a car disc but they are way to big. i'm thinking moutain bike disc now.

Matt

Why not make a disc out of say !/8" aluminiuim and drill the endex holes yourself. Its easy enough as long as you set it up properly

Originally Posted by Twinnie

i got a disk today but the holes are all over the shop! almost random spacing so thats going to be made into a big spinning top! i'll keep looking for a disk thats better. i had a look at a car disc but they are way to big. i'm thinking moutain bike disc now.

Matt

I again recommend using band saw blade wrapped around a disk.Have an aluminium disk mounted on the same shaft.Use the bandsaw blade teeth spacings to space your holes(mount on drill press and drill holes).Alternately just make up discs with bandsaw blades wrapped around them. again -have a look at this http://www.lautard.com/t1.htm
and a version of this >http://home.vicnet.net.au/~pwguild/o-rosego.htm or this http://www.homestead.com/tool20895/files/INDEX.htm

Yesindeed. I'd forgotten about the bandsaw blade for subdividing an ellipse. I think a plywood disk might be better, though, as you'll need to fine tune the diameter to get the pitch to match at the join. The latching mechanism I have in mind could be awkward perpendicular to the disk, because of eccentric loading. Might be able to work something else out which doesn't have that deficiency, maybe a pinching-type latch front and back of the wheel.

Joe

push bike gears mite work.

Originally Posted by forge

I again recommend using band saw blade wrapped around a disk.Have an aluminium disk mounted on the same shaft.Use the bandsaw blade teeth spacings to space your holes(mount on drill press and drill holes).Alternately just make up discs with bandsaw blades wrapped around them. again -have a look at this http://www.lautard.com/t1.htm
and a version of this >http://home.vicnet.net.au/~pwguild/o-rosego.htm or this http://www.homestead.com/tool20895/files/INDEX.htm

thanks forge it looks like i'm going to have to go for the end on aproach because my motor will get in the way otherwise. i'll keep every one posted on how things go

Matt