Mini lathe spindle indexer

Hello all,

I would like to share with you one more of my favorite projects, the spindle indexer; it was on the project’s wanted list for quite some time now, I managed to finish it a few months ago and I’ve be using it in every given chance.

The tool is simple in design; it consists of an L shape base, a cylinder and a spring loaded moving plunger.

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In the video you will find more information about the design and how the indexer works.

Cheers
Dimitris

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuot6xSHCGM

Nice work and great video Dimitris, outstanding job

Doug

Thank you Doug, I really appreciate that you like it!!

Cheers
Dimitris

Dimitris Polychronis,

Great idea and excellent workmanship!!! The key-way cutting job was also very interesting. Thanks for sharing this!
What brand of lathe are you using in the video?

Thanks Dick!

The key-way came out very nice, but I'm afraid the force for cutting the 4 mm key-way exceeds the capabilities of my small lathe (possible wear on the apron's rack-pinion gear). I would love to have this tool http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/s...ol-lathe-71890 but without a milling machine, I can only dream it!
The brand of the mini lathe is Optimum (model D180x300) https://www.optimum-machines.com/ German brand that built its machines in China.

All the best
Dimitris

Dimitris Polychronis,

Very nice implementation for lathe indexing. I need to make one myself.
I have been known to just use a machinist jack between the chuck jaw
and lathe bed. I like your method much better and it is more versatile as well.

Cheers, JR

Thanks JR, glad that you like it! Although the 40T drive gear has some wear from usage, the plunger fits really nice and gives repeated accuracy.
I think that it will be a nice addition for your mini lathe; I'm sure with your skills and machines that you will make an improved version of this indexer.

All the best
Dimitris

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Thanks Dimitris Polychronis! We've added your Lathe Spindle Indexer to our Lathe Accessories category,
as well as to your builder page: Dimitris Polychronis's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-lathe-spindle-indexer-2"> <img src="/uploads/221695/homemade-lathe-spindle-indexer-2.jpeg"/> </a> </div> </div> <div class="head pngfix"></div> <div class="left pngfix"></div> <div class="right pngfix"></div> <div class="blockover b1 pngfix"> <div class="title"> <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-lathe-spindle-indexer-2">Lathe Spindle Indexer</a> <span> by <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/builder/Dimitris+Polychronis">Dimitris Polychronis</a></span> </div> <div class="tags">tags: <a href='http://www.homemadetools.net/tag/indexing-unit'>indexing unit</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>
<!-- END /var/www/html/homemadetools/protected/modules/zeus/views/tool/postUpdate.php -->

Very nice workmanship! The hard part with these indexing solutions is getting the pin in the right location. This makes me wonder about the feasibility of marking common divisions on the pulley replacement collar. I’ve ran into these sorts of issues at work with a 24 count indexer, it is very easy to be off by one making a mess of things. I’d be interested to know how others solve this problem!

As for building a hand slotter for your lathe I’m pretty sure one can be done as an all lathe project. I seem to remember one done that way on the net. It might take some real efforts with respect to order of operations and maybe some rough finished surfaces but I believe it can be done. You already have the machining skills.

Thank you wizard69, I appreciate your comment!

Yes it’s a bit difficult setting the pin into the right location, it’s very narrow the space between the drive gear and the pulley and it’s easy to make mistakes; so, I double check every time to be absolutely sure about the location. I think that the best I can do, is to use a steel stamp to mark on the pulley 40 and 60 divisions. The keyway on the spindle provides standard location for both the gear and pulley, so based on this I can mark the divisions on the pulley; this way it will be difficult to make mistake because the diameter on each gear is different as well as that each series of numbers will be painted with different color.

Now, the hand slotter would be a great addition for my mini lathe, but I must admit I don’t feel confident enough to make it at the moment. Thanks again!!

Cheers
Dimitris

Very nice work Dimitris!

Just a few questions. Firstly, what would happen if you turned the lathe on while the indexer was engaged?

Do you need to detach it from the lathe when it is not required?

Regards
Guy

Thank you Guy, I appreciate that you like it!

Well...a lot can happened, from bending to breaking the plunger of the indexer, or breaking the plunger and the drive gear of the spindle, to bending the plunger and breaking the screws that locking in place the indexer and many other combinations that I don't want to know!!!!! That's why I always turn off the mains switch and for be 100% sure, I press also the emergency switch down!!

Yes, I must detach the indexer when is not in use.

All the best
Dimitris

Dimitris Polychronis,

Great idea and well done! It looks to be very solid.
How many teeth in the gear?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dimitris Polychronis

Thank you Guy, I appreciate that you like it!

Well...a lot can happened, from bending to breaking the plunger of the indexer, or breaking the plunger and the drive gear of the spindle, to bending the plunger and breaking the screws that locking in place the indexer and many other combinations that I don't want to know!!!!! That's why I always turn off the mains switch and for be 100% sure, I press also the emergency switch down!!

Yes, I must detach the indexer when is not in use.

All the best
Dimitris

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OW. Non of those scenarios would be good.

Just an idea with regard to having to detach it when not in use. Would it not be possible to extend the longitudinal slot you cut down the length of the pin 90 degrees for a short distance. That will allow you to lift the pin and rotate it the 90 degrees and lock it in place out of the way?

Something like this:
https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/f...e/134907-1.jpg

Hey Guy,

You are speaking for a J slot; to tell you the truth, I didn't thought it at all, not when I started the project and either when it was finished. I found a few comments on the video referring to the J slot and thought that it could been a nice feature for the indexer especially when I will be needed to machine identical parts, it could save time. Unfortunately even if I had thought of it at the beginning of the project it was impossible to make it, since I don't have a mill and a rotary table. Anyway, I'm not using the indexer so often; so the trouble of attaching and detaching it, is bearable. Thanks again!

Cheers
Dimitris

Thank you Dick, I'm glad that you like it!

Although it's small in size, it is indeed very solid. The spindle's drive gear has 40 teeth, the bigger gear you saw at the end of the video has 60 teeth. I think that both gears give a relatively good number of divisions.

Cheers
Dimitris