Simple direct indexer for the vertical slide

**olderdan** · Apr 26, 2017, 09:02 AM

Yet another item made many years ago which is still in use which is obviously aimed at the small lathe user, I got the idea from an article in the Model Engineer.
Very simple device that uses the lathe change gears and occasional discs made for odd numbers, it has no bearings but has instead 45 degree tapers at each end adjusted to no play but free to rotate, I have never had to adjust this, this is the first time it has come apart to show construction.
The body is 1 inch square stock and it uses home made draw-bar collets 7/16 max ( ½ inch would have been better but would need a larger body), and assorted mandrels made as needed.
I have made lots of cutters and cut many gears with it and I would have made a nicer one but it may be pensioned off soon when I finish my new geared cutter spindle which will be able to mill along the lathe axis, enabling me to turn and cut a gear etc at one setting.
I also use this as a radius turner mostly for making acorn nuts from S/Steel it will do a radius up to one inch.
Clamped in my tiplap grinder I can also sharpen the face of small end mills with it so its pretty versatile.