Thread: Rotary Table

Nice work Graeme! Did you you machine up all the parts from scratch, like the thread inside?
More importantly, how well does it work?!

Cheers

Hi Andy,
Almost from scratch. I had the worm and gear ready cut, but everything else was from stock sections. My main problem was that the thickest stock was 1" and the plans called for 30mm. Turning the round table was the heaviest turning I have attempted and the 16mm thread on the central shaft was my first go at thread cutting. I had to modify the drive shaft bearing sleeve to get the correct gear mesh, and the shaft didn't have quite the interference fit to hold it without any mechanical help, but a drop or two of loctite does wonders. The table clamp also needed two goes to get the clearance right. However, it works very well with less than a degree of backlash. I'm pretty chuffed.
Cheers
Graeme

Great work Graeme will wait to see your reply to Andy

Ok you replyed excellent work Graeme what sort of lathe do you use for metal

Great job ,and well done .
Was thinking of a similar project for myself further down the track.
Ive seen 40:1 worms and worm wheels on Ebay at different times.

Kev

I have a H&F AL50A which I've had for a couple of years now. I figured it would do to teach myself metal working after a lifetime of woodwork. The mill is an HM10 - the smallest in the range.
Current project is a 1" scale traction engine.
Cheers
Graeme

Originally Posted by graemet

I have a H&F AL50A which I've had for a couple of years now. I figured it would do to teach myself metal working after a lifetime of woodwork. The mill is an HM10 - the smallest in the range.
Current project is a 1" scale traction engine.
Cheers
Graeme

Graeme real nice project anywhere we can see a WIP another forum even

How I'd love the metal working machines

Originally Posted by wheelinround

anywhere we can see a WIP

Nothing much to see so far for a lot of time spent. The boiler and smokebox are still mostly in bits, the perch bracket is complete, the wheel rims are finished as is the flywheel, but the rest is an expensive pile of gunmetal and cast iron castings in various stages of machining. It has to fit in with an increasing list of woodgers.
Cheers
Graeme

Graeme

Well done mate.

I've been lusting after a rotary table since I got the lathe.

I considered making one but I don't think I'm up to it.

The good news is that a 6" RT now sells for $US135 in the US. Its Chinese made, so within a few months we should see similar prices, if the $AUD holds up.

Again, great achievement - congratulations.

Originally Posted by Bodgy

Graeme
The good news is that a 6" RT now sells for in the US. Its Chinese made, so within a few months we should see similar prices, if the holds up.

The story of my life! However it doesn't look like the A$ will keep its head up in the short term. In fact, I know it won't - I was planning on spending some significant US$ very soon and rubbing my hands together, and what happens?

Great work graeme,
Hey Bodgy, check this one from India, http://stores.ebay.com.au/Omex-Engineering one went last week for AU $84.00, plus I think $20.00 postage they may have a 6inch one cheap!
Richard.

Originally Posted by Dano48

Great work graeme, Hey Bodgy, check this one from India, http://stores.ebay.com.au/Omex-Engineering one went last week for AU $84.00, plus I think $20.00 postage they may have a 6inch one cheap! Richard.

Hi,

I would be wary of buying from this person given what I just read in the feedback section, especially as he is not just down the road.

Then again looking at it in a positive manner, 90% of his customers have been happy.

MH

Originally Posted by graemet

The story of my life! However it doesn't look like the A$ will keep its head up in the short term. In fact, I know it won't - I was planning on spending some significant US$ very soon and rubbing my hands together, and what happens?

Congratulations on a nice bit of machining Graeme, especially considering you are still doing your apprenticeship.

Aussie Dollar Falls Back To Earth

The Australian dollar has crashed to its lowest level in six months, just above US89c, as the currency enters its longest losing streak since 1980. The dollar's dive has been driven by investors' crumbling confidence in the Australian economy, tumbling commodity prices and growing fears the global economy is facing a major slowdown - or even a possible recession. The financial markets' certainty that the Reserve Bank will lower interest rates next month has also combined with a strengthening US dollar to force economists into a major backflip on predictions of parity with the greenback.

Only weeks after forecasting parity by the end of the year, yesterday economists said it was now "crystal clear" the parity party has been cancelled, at least for now. After nine consecutive days of falls, the Aussie has collapsed from a peak last month of US98.50 to a bottom in late trading of US89.14 - its lowest level since early February. AMP Capital Investors chief economist Shane Oliver said the combination of falling interest rates and a correction in commodity prices suggested the Aussie is in for further falls. "The ride could be pretty rough over the next six months with a fall back to its January low of around US85c a distinct possibility," Dr Oliver said. "The long-term trend in the Aussie is likely to remain up though, in response to the long-term rising trend in commodity prices". Foreign currency traders renewed confidence in the US economy's ability to crawl its way out of the recessionary hole it fell into as a result of the credit crunch has seen the Aussie loss ground rapidly.

Sonray Capital Markets chief economist Clifford Bennett said there is a "freight train" momentum against the Australian dollar at the moment. "RBA rate cut expectations have been the major component of this currency collapse" he said. Mr Bennett said a recovery in global commodity prices could give the currency a much-needed bounce over the next few months. Citigroup has also forecast that the global markets have turned "too bearish" on commodity prices. Chief economist Paul Brennan is forecasting commodity prices will rebound - especially coal, copper and aluminium prices - pushing the Aussie back towards the US92-94c range in the months ahead. In recent weeks investors have been dumping commodities such as gold and oil that have, until recently, been used as a hedge against a faltering US dollar and this has been a double negative for the Aussie. The outlook for Australian mining companies has dimmed and the currency has been battered by the massive squaring of all the long bets by investors against the US dollar. Most economists said commodity price falls have blown away the speculative froth but the fundamental demand outstrips supply and prices. Westpac is forecasting the Aussie will remain at or below the US90c level for the rest of the year before an increase to about US92c by March next year.

I like it Graeme - very professional! These things sure are a lot of fun to use.

Originally Posted by Dano48

Great work graeme,
Hey Bodgy, check this one from India, http://stores.ebay.com.au/Omex-Engineering one went last week for AU $84.00, plus I think $20.00 postage they may have a 6inch one cheap!
Richard.

I've been bidding on these for months. They only sell the 3 and 4" type. I think the one you saw was a 3".

That seems a bit toy like to me, but a lot better than nothing. The average sale they get for a 4" is about $160 plus $18 post. Given that you can get a 6" from Minitech in Brisbane for $283 I'll wait until the prices drop.

Unless of course my $60 bid comes up in India. Funny how these guys can freight from India for less than it costs us local punters to get same from across town!