Indexing feature

[Boris L]

What is an indexing feature on wood lathes?

Does it allow accurate eccentric turning?

[Ed Reiss]

The indexing feature on a lathe (usually 24 divisions) is a means of creating equally spaced areas around a spindle or bowl.
Think in terms of fluting, flats, etc.

[joe greiner]

What he said, except the number of divisions can be almost anything, depending on the hardware - could be in the chuck (24 or 32 seem to be most common), in the lathe (who knows), or in an index wheel. Index wheels may have several concentric circles of different pitches, from which your desired pitch can be selected, by using only some of the holes.

As far as eccentric turning is concerned, use of an index feature could facilitate regularity in the offset elements about the major axis.

Cheers,
Joe

[Nai84]

Hi Boris L

I have this link that i found when i ask the same question http://www.breezyhillturning.com/Too...iralLayout.pdf this is one way some lathes have them built into them, But mine is on the back of my chuck like the pic attached i hope this helps i have never used it so that all i can tell but if you do a search in the forum you will find some ideas on jigs

Cheers Nai84

[John Lucas]

You can add indexing to most any lathe by just adding an index wheel. I have 2 One is 1/4" lexan drilled with 1/4" holes. I got it from a guy in Atlanta. The other one you can buy from www.ironfireLLC.com Indexing is useful for all sorts of decorating on turnings.
It lets you lock the lathe in increments so you can carve, route, texture, or draw in a predictable pattern.
Eccentric turning is a different animal. Eccentric chucks let you move a piece off center so you can cut in different planes. A lot of fun.

[Nai84]

Hi John Lucas

Hey mate have you got any more info on the Eccentric turning and Eccentric chucks coz if you say its fun i wanna read all i can on it. I was reading up on inside out turning last night i gonna give that a go today.

Cheers Nai84

[John Lucas]

There was a really good article in American Woodturner about a year or so ago on off center turning. That's basically what I call eccentric woodturning. I would have to look for it to find it.
There are several articles on off center or eccentric turning online if you do a google search. You might include eccentric chucks in that search as well.

[wheelinround]

More on indexing a spirals Lignotec EN

[Nai84]

Hi wheelinaround

That stuff looks realy cool hey i bet it take a long time to finish a piece like that cheers for the link

Nai

[Boris L]

Thanks for all the replies; I can see some really cool stuff can be done with indexing which is not anything to do with exxectric turning. Leran something everyday.

Cheers

[wheelinround]

Sorry Boris should have given you something on eccentric turning.

Many members here are Eccentric some try like myself to be turners.


https://www.woodworkforums.com/f8/ecc...-sipper-29862/

Eccentric turning is when the Dead centre or live centre is off set, indexing can be used but usually is on the apparatus not the headstock.

[Boris L]

No problem, I've seen a few objects of that ilk on the net; very nice indeed. I've also done a bit of eccentric wood turning on a metal lathe to make reel seats. Hardly a complicated affiar but not without its challenges. I was unsure if the indexing was a function for eccentric turning or something else entirely. I think I've got my answer ok.
But hey thanks for the info anyway.

I wonder if you could do this on a wood lathe, probably but the accuracy would be very operator dependent.


Here's a picture of a fixture or fitting that holds the wood in the offset position in the chuck for eccentric turning a mortise in the reel seat.