Thread: Homemade Indexing/Dividing Device

Hi,



I am now drawing an Indexing tool for my mini mill, before I start building it, based on the Harold Hall Design, but I will make use of what I have available in my garage,
It will be a direct indexing one with five sets of holes in one plate, 90, 80, 72, 60 and 48. The numbers are chosen to enable me to make a real worm/gear for a full dividing attachment later. I currently only need a simple indexing device but later I will need something better when I am starting to make gears bigger than 90 teeth.

The CAD image (Punch CAD 7 Pro) make it easier to think out the design properly as I am drawing the parts in real size and after I am finished It will be very simple to compile a set of drawing from that in 2D and 3D.

The main body will be of aluminum. the base plate of bright mild steel, as well as the spindle.
The indexing plate will be of brass (75mm dia) and there will be 80mm chuck added.
The green handle will be the spindle lock - forcing a brass pad against the spindle (I am still learning the CAD program so please excuse the bad design).
The plunger will have to penetrate the indexing plate from the left (back) of the picture because there is not enough space to penetrate from the right to the left. The innermost set of holes will be well between the plate and the main body. The operator must turn the spindle by grabbing the Index plate as a handle after the lock has been disengaged.

The spindle is now bored through 8mm, and I will see if I will add a MT 1 hollow.

My question is to find a simple plunger design that will work with this design. I don't mind to make use of a screw-in type of plunger. This will most probably more sturdy than the type that is spring loaded (and easier to make). Any photographs or reverences/links to plungers or screw in plungers will be appreciated.