Rotary Table

[chris mabbott]

I was wondering what is the difference, apart from shape/size, of the two types of rotary tables that are available. One kind, and these seem to be the better quality type, have a round body and look very compact.

Type 2 have a square frame and to me, look a lot more bulky and not as aesthetically pleasing as the “round framed’ models..

[namonllor1953]

Hi Chris,
You got a link or something so I can see?

Ren

[david pierce]

Chris,
I looks like you are referring to a DIVIDING HEAD and a ROTARY TABLE. A dividing head is more convienient to use on shaft operations and a rotary table is more convient to use on flat plates. That said, some rotary tables are able to take a dead center and can be positioned vertically on your mill bed. If you get one make sure you get one that takes dividing plates. I am not completely sure about your mill size but if is large enough to take a 6″ rotary table choose that over the 4″.
david

[namonllor1953]

Chris,
If you are referring to rotary table vs. dividing head, here’s an answer I got off of another machining sight:

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/deckel-maho-aciera-abene-mills/rotary-table-vs-dividing-head-110206/
Hope this helps,

edit: text removed and link added to content for copyright reasons.

[chris mabbott]

Gents, wow, thank you for the in-depth answers, although I now feel bad for making you guys work 😆

My question was a little more basic, I’m sorry to admit 😳 and I should have posted pics to explain myself better, i was on my mobile though 🙄

Now I have photos..

The first one you can see the enclosure is square in shape on this rotary, with dividing head capabilities.

The second pic this rotary/dividing unit is in a round enclosure.

Apart from possibly space/weight considerations, are there any other reasons for the difference in enclosure design?

Choosing one of these is as much fun as choosing a mill, lathe, drill press etc…

[namonllor1953]

Chris,

There really is no difference in either aside from the shape. Kind of like a Ford Mustang and a Chevy Camaro. They look different but, basically they are the same (Sorry to the afficionados), They’re American sports cars.
I own the Vertex model (Black one). It’s a great table. What are you thinking of using it for??

[khoward279]

Chris,
Adding to the previous post if you really want to get crazy with it you can also use it with a sine bar and have a good basic 4th and 5th axis set up. Have fun.

[chris mabbott]

Once again, thank you for your helpful comments gents…

Ren, I find myself, more often than nor, needing to reduce the diameter of round stock, or to make something out of square stock,that involves repositioning the work in the vice for each side being cut.
Whereas if I had it held between the centers of a rotary table, there would be a lot less setting up time wasted.
Also for drilling, as my older lathe in not as accurate as it once was lol. The table would help greatly for making the cut outs for on gear blanks..

When image a new bolt, I can use the dividing function to cut the head flats evenly, again without having tomes around with a lot of setup.
Not forgetting pinion cutting, I have a few watches that have broken pinions and replacements are scarce…

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