Thread: Mounting chuck on 6" Vertex RT

Neat idea for centering Fred

I have the same RT chuck combo, i ended up turning an mt2 stub arbour that fits into the chucks bore. I still find i need to tweak it a bit for center though(after removing the arbour), I think the bore on the chuck may be out a fraction.

The handle thing must be a pain, on my 50 size mill there are 4 t slots slots so if i use the second one back as center the handle overhangs.

Originally Posted by Big Shed

One slight annoyance with 6" Vertex RT is that the handwheel sits lower than the bottom of RT and fouls the table if I mount it in the centre T slot, so I may have to take the handwheel off and reduce its' size a bit.

Rather than turning the handle down, can you remove it and turn up an extension to fit between?

Originally Posted by Ueee

Neat idea for centering Fred

I have the same RT chuck combo, i ended up turning an mt2 stub arbour that fits into the chucks bore. I still find i need to tweak it a bit for center though(after removing the arbour), I think the bore on the chuck may be out a fraction.

The handle thing must be a pain, on my 50 size mill there are 4 t slots slots so if i use the second one back as center the handle overhangs.
BTW, what is the diameter of the divider plates on your RT, as that will be my next purchase (should have got them this time) and if they are bigger than the handwheel I would still be snookered.

Hadn't even thought of doing it that way, but I suppose there is no guarantee that the chuck bore is exactly concentric to the jaws, as you have found.

Yes, the 3 T slot table is a pain at times, would have preferred a 4 slot, but there you go.

Originally Posted by DJ's Timber

Rather than turning the handle down, can you remove it and turn up an extension to fit between?

Now that's lateral thinking DJ, must have a look at that to see if it is possible.

Hi Big Shed,

Thanks for posting. I always wondered what was the easiest way to accurately centre the RT about the quill. It seems obvious now that I see you do it but I didn't think to do it that way!

You may be aware that I recently bought the 8 inch RT, it is a bit heavier (which I'm prepared to put up with) and the handwheel too sits below the table which I thought was a PITA. Only redeeming part is that being an 8 inch, the handwheel misses the table when mounted in the centre T slot.

Simon

The index plates will be larger than the od of the handle.
Why are you concerned about mounting the tailstock in the centre tee slot or any tee slot at all,it can be clamped on its outer edges.

Thanks Simon, I was wondering whether I should have gone for the 8" and not have this problem, sounds like that wouldn't have helped.

Originally Posted by pipeclay

The index plates will be larger than the od of the handle.
Why are you concerned about mounting the tailstock in the centre tee slot or any tee slot at all,it can be clamped on its outer edges.

I guess any problem can be overcome by doing things a different way, as I am doing with my current RT mounting method.

However it seems a waste of 2 perfectly good mounting slots on the tailstock.

Thats true but you would find its easier to line the tailstock up to whats held by your table than vice a versa.

Originally Posted by Big Shed

I guess any problem can be overcome by doing things a different way, as I am doing with my current RT mounting method.

However it seems a waste of 2 perfectly good mounting slots on the tailstock.

Hi Big Shed,

I can only assume that the designers thought that having the handle lower than the base as a feature not a fault as it reduces the overall height of the RT which, as people have pointed out comes into play with smaller sized mills. WRT the TS having both bolt holes in line with it's axis, I was puzzled as to what use this is since it is designed to be used with a RT BUT most RT do not have a bolt hole central to the axis, so how are you ever supposed to use the two in the same T slot and in alignment?

Seems strange.

I regards to solving problems by doing things in different ways, I have quickly learnt that in machining, it's not all about the removal of the metal, it's also about planning a job and working through problems and finding different, more efficient, more accurate or repeatable ways of doing things. It never ceases to amaze me how I can spend an hour setting up a job and then spend 5 minutes machining!

My last paragraph above was merely me thing aloud!

Cheers,

Simon

As the handwheel only sits about 5mm (if that, haven't yet measured it exactl) below the RT it could have been made smaller by that amount or the table height increased or a combination of both. I certainly don't see a logical reason for it.

WRT to central mounting holes, my 6" RT has one at the rear in vertical mode (and 2 in horizontal mode).

Making a secondary mounting plate is still on my possible solution list.

I hear what you are saying about problem solving and work setup, I find that aspect of machining very enjoyable (and books of course). Going through the various options and the right sequence of working is a very interesting exercise and teaches you a lot about how to work.

My son trained as a fitter and turner (so he is a "real" machinist) and I can now see where he learned excellent problem solving and analytical skills.
Unfortunately he hasn't worked as a fitter and turner for a long time, he is earning real money now, tradespeople in Australia are very undervalued (unlike for instance Germany).

Originally Posted by Big Shed

tradespeople in Australia are very undervalued (unlike for instance Germany).

Depends on the trade Fred. Plenty of sparkies and plumbers are raking it in. I guess the manufacturing trades are stuffed though.

Originally Posted by jack620

Depends on the trade Fred. Plenty of sparkies and plumbers are raking it in. I guess the manufacturing trades are stuffed though.

True, but usually only those that are self employed, an electrician or plumber working for a boss isn't raking it in AFAIK, all tradies in the mining industry are doing well but one wonders how long that will last.

I advised my son at the time to go for an electrician apprenticeship, but he finished up doing the F&T one.

Originally Posted by jack620

Depends on the trade Fred. Plenty of sparkies and plumbers are raking it in. I guess the manufacturing trades are stuffed though.

They have a nice little exclusive licensing agreement going with the government, governments that keep pouring money into the housing industry and they have limited import competition(though there are people working on that I believe, think flat-pick houses). Also pretty cheap trades to set up your own business.
Still, good on 'em.

Stuart