Thread: Indexing Dividing Super Spacer what's the essential difference?

Hi Ray,
I would have thought dividing head and indexing head were the same. Super spacer is a new one for me. Anything I have looked at with the term spin in its name is generally free to turn and has no worm drive. It could have a detent plate though so simple indexing could be done.

Doesn't really help does it.

Ew

I think dividing head and indexing head are the same animal and can divide down into part of a degree, while a spin indexer is only does fixed degrees. Don't know a bout a super spacer, though.
Never mind, someone will come along who knows this and more.

Grahame

Super Spacers are essentially one of those Horizontal/Vertical rotary tables with a very large spindle bore.... They also have index plates for simple indexing..

How about...a dividing head (non optical) utilises division plates driving the spindle by means of a worm and worm wheel to divide a circle. An indexing head divides a circle via the direct indexing of a spindle mounted plate. Most dividing heads have a provision for direct indexing but indexing heads being simpler devices, often don't readily facilitate the installation of a wormwheel, worm, sector arms, plates etc.

BT

Not an area of expertise for me, but one of general interest. My understanding follows Anorak Bob's, not familiar with the other couple of names though.

I have one that is actually the best Gray's pickup I have acquired. The picture only showed the chuck and was advertised as such. Repco badged but not the Repco chain that is around now, made in Melbourne Bayswater, I now have 2 Melbourne bits of kit, this and Shaper that were made when engeneering gear was made to a high standard.
They basically have interchangeable discs with different notches to provide set indexing, very quick and sturdy. Shame I don't have the mill to use it on.

Might need to move it on.

Cheers
Bruce

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

How about...a dividing head (non optical) utilises division plates driving the spindle by means of a worm and worm wheel to divide a circle. An indexing head divides a circle via the direct indexing of a spindle mounted plate. Most dividing heads have a provision for direct indexing but indexing heads being simpler devices, often don't readily facilitate the installation of a wormwheel, worm, sector arms, plates etc.

BT

I think I get what you are saying, the dividing head has division plates attached to the worm input worm drive. Part of the confusion I think is that most dividing heads also have an indexing plate. (that's the one attached to the spindle? )

So, is this correct?

Dividing head



Dividing Head with indexing plate?




The super spacer, is I think a mostly American term, I think it's usually a notched indexing wheel attached to the spindle. Some times with pneumatic or lever operated indexing, pull the lever and it rotates a preset number of degrees, not as accurate as a dividing head.

Super Spacer https://www.huronindustrial.com/biso...ng-plates-5902



Spin Indexer, no gear drive, just spins.



Ray

Just to add another level of complexity....

In the Brown and sharp d/h book they call indexing on the spindle direct indexing, on the worm indirect indexing and using indirect indexing but with a gear train to slip the indexing plate differential indexing. The last one is for doing things like prime numbers.

Ew

Here's a bit about the spin indexer that may be of interest - http://www.thegaragegazette.com/index.php?topic=109.0

Further reading has suggested that spin indexers are fairly lightweight bits of gear. Most of the readily available versions accommodate 5C collets which means there's another set of collets to purchase.

Some spin indexers are cheaper than chips - http://www.ebay.com/itm/5C-Precision...item54067d2c45 and some less so - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suburban-Too...item3a8d462272

Having the indexing plate so close to the spindle nose would give me the sh.ts. For short workpieces, and without tailstock support you could only really work on short stuff, it would be bloody hard to get a chuck and cutter in close enough to do any good. A grinding wheel might be another story.

BT

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

Further reading has suggested that spin indexers are fairly lightweight bits of gear. Most of the readily available versions accommodate 5C collets which means there's another set of collets to purchase.

I think they are cheap to copy, but Yuasa who do some very nice kit (my R/T and large D/H are both theirs) so there are some better ones out there. The problem is as you say the 5C collets. I quite liked Bruce's indexing chuck mount so I'd probably take something like that over a spin indexer. I have a small Ellis dividing head that I have to make up some index plates for that was going to be my simple indexing device.

Michael

Originally Posted by RayG

Dividing Head with indexing plate?

That's a Universal Dividing Head

You left out rotary table hehe

Stuart

Originally Posted by Stustoys

That's a Universal Dividing Head

No- that's a semi universal. What's the difference? about $1000 and some gears on the side to rotate the index plates.

Michael

Are we helping?

Originally Posted by Stustoys

Are we helping?

Only if you want to... I thought universal dividing head was one that tilts as well as rotates?

Ray