Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998
rotating xy axis table
john lucas
Well after spending a day and half building something that slides in 2 directions and rotates I found this. I went to Nashville with a friend to help him select a table saw and jointer I was looking at their vises and used equipment and found this. can't wait until I can figure out how to mount it on the lathe. I would like to make the rotary portion geared if I can figure out how to do it but even this way it's far better than what I just built. 
Re: rotating xy axis table
John Kaner
Geared as in indexed? How about a lathe index plate between the base and the top? That was a great find!
Re: rotating xy axis table
john lucas
No I need a screw thread kind of indexing so I can split the degrees if necessary. I might be able to do it with a couple of friction drive wheels that rub against the rotating part. Put a small one against a bigger one that then rubs against the main body. That should give me fine enough adjustments to fine tune the placement of cuts when I'm routing. Could probably make that unit swing away so I can make large adjustments quickly.
If I could probably build a rack and pinion type system but I'm such a poor machinist it would take me days to make it.
Re: rotating xy axis table *LINK*
Dick Coers
It's only a 3" head, but the little chuck is included.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rotary-Table-Horizontal-Vertical-3-75mm-w-65mm-Lathe-Chuck-for-Milling-Machin-/230927637750
Re: rotating xy axis table
Jorge
Nice cross vise from a metal lathe, maybe you can find the turret as well, then you can make really fine cuts
Re: rotating xy axis table
mo'wood
Hi John,
Not sure if you are aware of these, but what you are describing sounds more like a rotary table- an accessory for a milling machine that is quite versatile. Some of them (made by Palmgren) have built in X-Y position adjustment. I know you are frugal craftsman, but here is a link to a relatively low-priced version that may suit your purposes so that you wouldn't have to make the whole thing yourself:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PALMGREN-8-CROSS-SLIDE-ROTARY-TABLE-/191778982313?hash=item2ca6eb09a9:g:FNAAAOSwbdpWaeeC
Re: rotating xy axis table
john lucas
Yea you can buy what I wanted but it's not cheap. This thing cost me $50. I cleaned it up today. It will be fairly easy to add a geared drive if I want to spend the time building one. I do want to learn those skills. Haven't made a gear yet but I have the equipment to do it. That's on my bucket list to learn to do.
Chain drive
John Kaner
Something near and dear to you, bicycle sprockets and chain. The router guy did it for controlled movement...
Re: Chain drive
john lucas
I need finer movement than that but I will probably at least look at plastic chain. You can get plastic gears and chains that match and that might be an option.
Re: Chain drive
Dick Coers
Nearly all gears have backlash, you could get around that with enough friction and always adjusting in the same direction. Cog or tooth rubber belts work well, but you need a method of tensioning. Worm drive gears are the best.
Re: Chain drive
john lucas
I was looking at a ring gear with a worm drive. I can probably buy the worm drive and make the ring gear myself. Or I might be able to find a combination that I could modify. Anyway that's a low priority right now. I have lots more things to do so I'll take my time trying to figure out the best way.
