What size rotary table?

neanderman · Post by **neanderman** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 11:08 am

I've been looking at rotary tables for my Millrite for a while and am getting closer to pulling the trigger, but I have a question about size. I have the standard 7" x 27" table -- what is the most practical size RT to use? I've been leaning toward an 8", but wondered if a 10" is too large to be practical.

Thanks!

SteveM · Post by **SteveM** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 11:14 am

I'd say the biggest one that will fit and that you can pick up and put on the table.

And you can always get a shop crane

The table on my Brainard is only about 8" wide and I have a 9" rotary table for it.

You don't have to have the rotab on the centerline of the table - it can be offset to the front to give it more clearance in the back, if needed.

Also, don't forget that you can use some vertically, so you'd want to be sure it fits that way as well.

Try taking a 10" diameter round of cardboard and place it on the table to see how that fits.

Maybe print this out (in multiple pages and tape them together) to scale the picture to a 10" circle for the table top and try that on for size:

Steve

oscer · Post by **oscer** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 12:07 am

Clamps take up a lot of room on your table, the bigger the better, till you have to lift it on and off. I have a 12" and it weighs 167 lbs. I just saw a lift table in the Northern catalog for only $220 though

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 2:26 pm

Ed, oddly enough, I have two Millrites - 8x36 & 7x27
... and two rotabs, 8" and 10".

Would photos help?

neanderman · Post by **neanderman** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 4:18 pm

Rex wrote:Would photos help?

That would be great!

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 4:27 pm

OK, I'll be out there tonight and will snap some pics.
Are you just wanting to see how it looks in proportion to the table?

neanderman · Post by **neanderman** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 6:14 pm

Rex wrote:OK, I'll be out there tonight and will snap some pics.
Are you just wanting to see how it looks in proportion to the table?

Yes. I want to get an idea of overhang and how it might restrict movement on the Y axis.

Thanks a bunch!

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 10:24 pm

10 Inch Rotab on 7x27 table

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 10:28 pm

8 inch Rotab on 7x27 Millrite

I recommend the 8"

neanderman · Post by **neanderman** » Sat Sep 22, 2012 2:39 pm

Thanks, Rex. The pictures are very helpful!

RONALD · Post by **RONALD** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 8:02 pm

Here is a table you probably would not want, an 18" Brown & Sharpe powered table.

It weighs several hundred pounds.

Never found the proper B&S connection for the table, so I made my own out of gears and universal joints.

I use it only rarely, but what the heck it's my hobby, and I like to collect such "toys!"

neanderman · Post by **neanderman** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 11:00 pm

Nice. Is that a turntable base as in vinyl records?

The Home Machinist!

What size rotary table?

What size rotary table?

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OK, here's the 10"

8" Rotab

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Re: What size rotary table?

Re: What size rotary table?