There are loads of small rotary tables around at much lower prices.  Soba seem to make quite a range and may be available in Australia. Here’s a link to a UK supplier.  Comes without dividing plates but they are easy to make if not available.

My experience with Proxxon isn’t very happy, I don’t think you get the quality you think you are paying for.

Further to Jason’s advice … here are some photos:

MichaelG.

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Surely EMCO is off the menu because Colin says they are as ‘rare as hens teeth’ in Australia.  Actually, their rarity may be world wide – this morning I can only find two on ebay, both in the USA.  This is the fate of obsolete accessories; they slowly disappear!

To my mind, the simple answer is to buy a Proxxon rotary table.  They are available, will fit Colin’s Proxxon lathe and mill, and the ‘quality’ will be compatible with the rest of his Proxxon tooling.    It will do whatever the Proxxon is machine is up for – not much, because it’s small.

In my experience worrying about the ‘quality’ of tools in this kind of situation is a time-waster.   The EMCO and Proxxon offerings are both hobby level, as are most of the Far Eastern alternatives.   All work much the same provided they physically fit the tool.  Better rotary tables cost seriously big money, six to ten times more than the Proxxon table.

The reason I put ‘quality’ in quotes is because the word is meaningless in the absence of a specification.  Colin says ‘My potential use of the UT 400 would be limited to a few “future” potential projects’.  Unfortunately, it’s what those unknown projects are that decide how good the rotary table needs to be!   At the moment, there is no specification!  Chances are though, for hobby work, the specification won’t be high.  If better than hobby-standard really is needed, then Colin’s Proxxon Lathe and Mill will have to be replaced too – they’re not highly specified either!

Dave

If you can access a 3D printer there is a design on Thingiverse in Openscad for an index plate with all holes, including mounting in any configuration you want. A few years ago I posted on here a picture of a 73 hole one using this offering so you don’t need a worm set-up.
The design of the basic indexer looks so simple you could make the block in aluminium on your own lathe, and probably get away with a printed one too.
For milling curves the traditional lever system use for expansion links can be used so rotary table not essential.

OOPs, forgot we need reasons to get more toys. Ignore above, you need a full universal index head.

My version adapted for use on the Myford Cross slide.

Sherline do a good quality small rotary table. Their stuff is available in most countries.

Hi Michael,

While the SL Indexing attachment was a nicely made cast iron unit. If you can get hold of one, it does come with some disadvantages. In that you have to use the SL Chucks and faceplate. This will severely restrict the size of bar that can pass through the Chucks. Whereas the C5 Indexing Unit passes 16 mm diameter bar with the 3 Jaw chuck, ESX 25 Collet Holder, 4 Jaw Chuck(s) and 18 mm if using the faceplate.

I think the OP was looking more for a Dividing Head rather than an Indexer or Rotary table.

Regards

Gray,

On 22 August 2024 at 11:19 Michael Gilligan Said:

 

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Edit: __ having just checked the price of the Proxxon UT400 … it would take a lot to persuade me that it represents good value for money.

Hi Michael,

I mentioned earlier that the UT400 had a hefty price tag. Low volume sales and high production costs I would suspect.

Not all gloom as following a PM, I am now looking into adapting my Emco Dividing attachment to fit the Proxxon TA 250. This is a cross between the Emco SL and U3 / 4 indexing heads. However this too I believe has been taken out of production.

Regards

Gray,

What is the worm ratio on the Emco device?

Brian

One thing I did forget to mention is that The Emco C5 Indexing head can still be purchased new from Austria, at Holz & Hobby. The Spindle has been modified and it now has the Unimat 3 / 4 Spindle Nose added to it, so that it caters for the C5 and U3 / 4 users. As with all compromises the Indexer will now only pass 10 mm through the spindle bore.

Regards

Gray,

You are welcome Brian, if I can help, I will.

Regards

Gray,

One other thing, as regards the currently available C5 Indexing attachment. I have seen older Yellow versions advertised at a higher price than the new one from Austria, even after Taxes.

Regards

Gray,

Hi Nigel B,

It seems as though it has been taken down. I was on the site ordering some other items only just over a week ago and it was there then as I bought the item which was next to it.

Sorry for mis-leading you.

Regards

Gray,