What rotary table

Yes, that's what others have said. You can also make the most of a small RT by putting a somewhat larger plate on it.

I have a good quality 6 inch RT (It happens to have 4 slots). I barely eat enough spinach to manage the 6 inch never mind an 8 inch. This is quite an issue if you are setting the thing up with the rotary axis horizontal to the bed of the mill. By the time there is a 6 inch+ chuck bolted to it, there is a lot of weight to deal with.

So I'd buy the biggest you can lift without needing a truss.

I did try clocking up a part in the 4 Jaw, found it such a tedious performance I now use a collet chuck when I can, because you win back a lot of lost height on the machine (or length on the bed.)

Making or buying a backing plate is hardly a big deal to get the versatility you need.

Steve

I agree with Steve, buy the biggest your machine can take or you can handle. The problem with the larger tables is definitely their weight. I have a 10" vertex table and once I have lifted it onto the mill I am reluctant to take it off again. I am considering rigging up some kind of overhead lifting system because I also have a very heavy 8" jaw machine vice that is a tad heavier than the rotary table. I have got a hernia that followed a Gall bladder operation many years ago that lets me know when I am over doing things and it definitely complains when I lift the vice.

Bob

Notwithstanding the larger clamping area but for most folks is there really any point in getting anything bigger than say a 6" - 8" RT?