RayG 25th June 2013, 06:14 PM I thought about posting this in the tool gloat thread, but I'm going to do a restoration on them, so a seperate thread to document the process is better.
Thanks go to Ken ( Toggy ) who alerted us to the scrap dealer in Echuca who had a few rotary tables. He also has a few bigger ones the biggest I saw was 600mm ( 24 in ).
We needed a bigger rotary table to do the repairs to the Deckel t-slot, and have been looking for one at the right price.. Ken came to the party at exactly the right time! ( thanks Ken :2tsup: ) I think he bought the 12" vertex rotary table from the same seller, but we got the two Meca 14" tables, at first they wouldn't turn, but after unlocking one turns nicely, the other one I think is still locked.
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So finally we have a couple of 14" rotary tables...
Regards
Ray
PS... Oh. what's that... the price.. ahem ..... $500 for the pair... :)
Toggy 25th June 2013, 07:25 PM Ray
No wonder you didn't want me to go with you.:D
I bet that the one you got to turn was the one down the back. Had I got any movement from it I would have taken it home; the colour would have matched the mill nicely.
I left you some horizontal arbors; were any suitable?
That place is Aladdin's cave.:)
My Vertex is 350mm. only 10mm short of your 2. There was also an old 18" or so RT down the back also.
Did you find the 900mm faceplate??
Ken
RayG 25th June 2013, 08:45 PM Ray, No wonder you didn't want me to go with you.:D Ken
Well, you could have come along helped load, there's a bit of weight in those suckers... they had a little hydraulic die trolley. Very handy.
I bet that the one you got to turn was the one down the back. Had I got any movement from it I would have taken it home; the colour would have matched the mill nicely.
Yes that was the one, it spins beautifully, very smooth. We've got the other one in bits now, and it was just gunked up with dried oil and a bit of surface rust.. all good otherwise.
I left you some horizontal arbors; were any suitable? That place is Aladdin's cave.:)
No didn't get any arbors, but he has a heap of 50 taper tooling, racks of milling cutters, taps, dies, pretty much you name it and I'd bet he would come close... even left handed taps and dies...
I was hoping he might have a 40 taper collet arbor, he probably has, but we'd run out of cash at that point.... we did manage to get some 20mm steel plate and 32 mm steel plate, potentially for the Deckel T-slot repair.
My Vertex is 350mm. only 10mm short of your 2. There was also an old 18" or so RT down the back also.
How about a picture of the vertex? There were a few other rotary tables, the 24" near the front door, the rusty one down the back, and Josh said there was one more somewhere...
We'll definately be going back there for bits and pieces, and some stock, it's refreshing doing business with an old fashioned scrap dealer... love it.. :2tsup:
Regards
Ray
RayG 25th June 2013, 10:35 PM The one that was stuck, was first in line to get stripped...
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The main castings are now in a caustic bath to clean off the paint... the general condition is pretty good.. nicely made and quality looks good.
Regards
Ray
Toggy 25th June 2013, 10:44 PM Ray,
Any reason for the backlash in the worm; or just out of adjustment?
Damn; I nearly took a punt on the good one.
Ken
RayG 25th June 2013, 10:48 PM Ray,
Any reason for the backlash in the worm; or just out of adjustment?
Damn; I nearly took a punt on the good one.
Ken
Hi Ken,
I hope it's adjustable, all those parts were stuck with dried up oil and gunk as well... there's a rotating cam thing on the worm drive that we haven't quite sussed out...
Regards
Ray
PS... I should go and look at the other one, it's still together.
Toggy 25th June 2013, 10:59 PM Ray
Is that a broken race I see in one of the thrust bearings?
Is that centre pin in the table centre removeable. Could be a nuisance and get in the way of setups.
Ken
RayG 25th June 2013, 11:05 PM Ray
Is that a broken race I see in one of the thrust bearings?
Is that centre pin in the table centre removeable. Could be a nuisance and get in the way of setups.
Ken
Yes, it's a broken race, it's going to get a new set of bearings anyway as part of the rebuild.. I'd like to regrind the top and bottom surfaces, but it's a little too big for the surface grinder... so it might be straight to the scraper..
We were just discussing that center pin,.. it doesn't really do anything... I think it's an option for locating some kind of fixture, I can see advantages in leaving it off, that would allow stock to feed through the center of the table.
Regards
Ray
Stustoys 25th June 2013, 11:29 PM Hi Ray,
Wow you have a higher class of strap around your place!
Is the worm gear supported at both ends or just one?
Stuart
RayG 25th June 2013, 11:55 PM Hi Ray,
Wow you have a higher class of strap around your place!
Is the worm gear supported at both ends or just one?
Stuart
Hi Stuart,
Neither end... just the middle, along the full length... pictures might explain better..
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Do you think the cam action, will change the backlash? it changes the engagement between the worm and the table gears.
Regards
Ray
Stustoys 26th June 2013, 12:08 AM HI Ray,
Thats what I meant by one end, thanks
You mean the cam action of rotating the carrier(what I call the other part in the picture)?
Yes it does.
Some tables have an adjustable stop so you can reengage the worm without having to set it each time....... if that makes sense.
Stuart
matthew_g 26th June 2013, 12:56 AM Hmmm I have the exact same Meca rotary table as that. 14" and all.
New they are a $3500.00 investment, I have been told by a machinery dealer that Meca is the best of the best.
I managed to get mine hardly used at an auction for $200.00 and had a dealer offer me $1,200 for it 1/2 an hour later. So in my mind you have got yourself one hell of a bargain there..
I'm almost green with envy..... Nah I'm defenantely green with envy.
Great buy fellas.
Matt
PS
Mine came with dividing plates, Selectors, well the lot.
The center is removable and leaves a non tapered bore.
The 3 retaining screw holes are for adding your own lacating centers or a Meca morse taper center, I think from memory they come from morse 2 up to morse 4. You just bolt it in and you con drop anything with a morse taper into it.
At the moment mine has a chuck center in it, So I can screw on a Pratt Bernard 5" lathe chuck on.
It's not hard to machine your own centers for the table.
I'll try get a pic or 2 tomorrow if I can get out the shed, It's pretty wet here.
RayG 26th June 2013, 01:20 PM 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
Toggy 26th June 2013, 02:35 PM Ray,
Very belatedly (this morning actually) I googled Meca Rotary Table. There are quite a few entries. One thing I did find was that they have been used before with drive motor for the 4th axis on CNC. Ideal for you, manual one for Das Damaged Deckel and one for the CNC.
I also noticed from several pics that they should have table locks similiar to the Vertex. It appears these 2 may have been used in a butcher shop and the original locks broken off and replaced by those half ar5ed replacements
Pic attached of the 14" Vertex and it's table locks. Also shows a couple of arbors I got.
Ken274405
RayG 26th June 2013, 03:15 PM Ray,
Very belatedly (this morning actually) I googled Meca Rotary Table. There are quite a few entries. One thing I did find was that they have been used before with drive motor for the 4th axis on CNC. Ideal for you, manual one for Das Damaged Deckel and one for the CNC.
I also noticed from several pics that they should have table locks similiar to the Vertex. It appears these 2 may have been used in a butcher shop and the original locks broken off and replaced by those half ar5ed replacements
Pic attached of the 14" Vertex and it's table locks. Also shows a couple of arbors I got.
Ken274405
Hi Ken,
That Vertex looks good. :2tsup: If you want details of the dividing plates for your vertex, they will be the same as the Vertex 6" which i can lend you when you want.
The table locks on the Meca tables, one table is undamaged ( ie original ), and I can copy those to return the other to factory condition. the locking bars are missing, but everything else is ok.
Should look like this one, this is 12"
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The other table has one broken and someone has machined up a block for it, and on the other side ( next to the indexing lock ) looks like it can be adjusted
I think we'll just restore it to original.. :)
Regards
Ray
PS If you find a manual in your googling let me know!..
Michael G 26th June 2013, 04:15 PM 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.
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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
Toggy 26th June 2013, 07:11 PM 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
matthew_g 27th June 2013, 02:21 AM 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`
matthew_g 27th June 2013, 02:30 AM 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`
1 more thing, You will never own another brand after a meca, I have never had a table rotate so smoothly as the Meca
RayG 27th June 2013, 01:04 PM 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! :2tsup:
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
Brobdingnagian 28th June 2013, 12:23 PM 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
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The table
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Some of the bits and bobs
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Stustoys 28th June 2013, 03:02 PM 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
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How did I miss that?? hehe
Its a funny looking crack. casting fault?
Ffixable or bin in and make a new one?
Stuart
Brobdingnagian 28th June 2013, 03:59 PM 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 .:p
I think fixable. Maybe a little brazing to the rescue.
achjimmy 29th June 2013, 10:24 PM Well done the Meca stuff is first class.
RayG 10th July 2013, 05:54 PM 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 ) ...
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Hey presto spray can of RAL 6011....
Regards
Ray
RayG 18th July 2013, 10:05 PM Josh and I got one Meca rotary table finished and re-assembled, just finished the touchup paint, and cleaned off some overspray.
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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.. :)
Ueee 18th July 2013, 11:21 PM Good work:2tsup:
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.:doh:
Cheers,
Ew
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