DIY Rotary 4th Axis?

[piperpilot]

Hey folks,

I have been reading all night, looking for ideas on how to build a DIY Rotary 4th Axis. I have a friend that wants to do some "Ornimental Lathing". Basically using the 4th axis as an indexer to a CNC Mill.

Does anyone know of some plans to build a 4th axis using common parts found at McMaster or similar? I saw reference to someone using Acme 10TPI screw with a homemade 180 tooth worm drive. That sounds great, but making the drive is not in my skillset.

Anyways, I don't need really great precision, just repeatability.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Curtis

[Bob Adams]

Hi,
Get some idea's here.
CNC Projects
Check out the 4th Axis page.
Bob A

[awerby]

would be to purchase a rotary table ready-made. Sure, it's possible to cobble something together from scratch, but if that's not where your skill-set lies, just buy one. Sherline has a nice 4" model that accepts their (and Taig's) chucks, and has a motor mount for a 23-frame stepper:

CNC-ready Rotary Table

Andrew Werby
ComputerSculpture.com — Home Page for Discount Hardware & Software

[piperpilot]

Thanks Andres. Yes, I know the easy way to go is to buy something that will just work.... I really like DIY to learn as well as I'd really like to be able to do it for less than the $300 that these things seem to cost. I looked at Bob's post and this is generally along the lines I was thinking. I looked on ebay and found a bunch of collet holders for around $20 plus shipping. I found bearings on skatebearings.com for around $10 each. I'd just need the gear system and some kind of bearing holder that would need to be machined.

Anyways...I'm still open to other suggestions if anyone else has some ideas! I will post back here if I decide to do it on my own.

Curtis

[corderopilot]

Hi this is my first post on this forum,check this video on you tube of a 4th axis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvjnDQoh-7I&feature=context&context=G2f4ca65FAAAAAAAAEAA]Mini Machining Center Gets all new Super Duty 4th Axis - hard tapping example - YouTube
Fabian.

[piperpilot]

Thanks for posting. I had seen one of your videos before and am impressed with your 4th axis. Do you have any drawings or anything you can share?

[mcphill]

Do you have any drawings or anything you can share?

Second...

[ger21]

That's not his video.

The guy was selling them, and looks like he just sold one in November for $1800.
4th axis available - unique machine is a indexer and a high speed lathe head

Looks like he's making more in a month or two.