Gallery, Projects and General > How to's

Ideas for a VERY simple indexer

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andyf:
Hi Daz,

If you do adopt the square bar method, try to get the hole down the middle of the square. Tap  the square firmly down on the base of the vice, do the first flat and then set the Z axis dial to zero. As you mill the other flats, again tap the square bar down, so that by working down to zero on the dial, you cut to the same depth on each side and should thus end up with a pretty accurate square end on your round stock.

For the 45 degrees you mentioned, you would need to make an octagonal bar (or maybe just put a substantial chamfer down two opposite corners of the square one).

Andy

Jonny:
There is an easier way and do it about every month or so, saves moving the rotary table and re setting up vertically each time.

Round bar horizontal, mill one face, this will act as working edge for next step.
Face just machined put that at 90 degrees at back of vice, mill top no need to adjust height. You now have 90 degree angle if vice good.
Any of the two machine flats clamp in the vice, the height is now different so will need adjusting.
Lastly rotate 90 degrees for last face at same height, job done.

If part can be held vertically , dead simple just take equal cuts of each of the four edges at right angles.

DavyC2:
if the round part is shortl enough mount it in your vise in the vertical position then use the X and Y feed controls of your milling machine to cut the four flats, you could use same set up after cutting first flat and then use a 45 degree gauge to index with. Just a quick a dirty way that I use. :D

davy

Andrew_D:
I had to cut a hex end on a special bolt that I made up while rebuilding my radial drill. Once I had the bolt turned on the lathe, I locked two nuts together on the threaded end. The bolt was long enough that the nuts hung out one end of the vise and the end to be made into a hex hung out the other end of the vise.

I then used a spirit level to get the top of one nut level and cut the flat on the opposite side. When done, rotate the bolt until the next flat was level and repeat.....

Andrew

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