Re: LHT-25B - Small Turret Lathe

"Bob La Londe"  wrote in message news:vnuhr0$23q2d$1@dont-email.me...
On 2/4/2025 5:33 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

I seriously considered drilling index holes in the rim of the backplates if I could mount them on my dividing head accurately enough.

I don't see why it would any any harder to indicate in than anything
else you put on it.  Face up, and indicate in center of rotation of
disc.  Face right (or left) and indicate in perpendicular to travel.
Indicate center with half function.  Drill, ream, rotate, Drill, ream,
rotate,Drill, ream, rotate... it wouldn't be hard.  Just tedious.
USE A STUB (screw machine length) DRILL.
You have an Indicol (or clone or home made holder) and a test indicator
right?
--
Bob La Londe
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The issue isn't indicating, it's clamping a large threaded backplate (or similar) to my hobby-sized indexing equipment. The Clausing's spindle to table clearance limits the height of work pieces and table accessories. I located the old sector gear for setup and then the blank for cutting on a 1/2" centering plug before bolting them to the rotary table.  I milled the teeth on it horizontally, at its center height.
A Clausing is very nice for making -small- parts. An RF-31 has a larger work envelope. This is the upgraded model with a taller column. Notice that it's drilling with a collet instead of,. a chuck, which I sometimes have to do for clearance.
https://www.wentztech.com/metalworking/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Clausing_8520_Cover.png