Rotary Table

Thanks everyone for all the replies.

Michael et al,

It's a "micro mill" I suppose. It's a Proxxon BFW 40/E Mill/Drill Motor and Controller. A toy I guess compared to the machines folk here have but works quite well for the miniature things I do.

It is very similar to this but with a much more substantial and stronger stand and xy table. There is about 40cm maximum headroom between table surface and machine collet chuck. I would post a photo but I'm not at my workshop location for a couple of days.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/proxxon-mill-drill-complete-system-718225?gclid=CJXRp_O7lcoCFUJmGwodhEkJWA

Edited By Roger Provins 2 on 06/01/2016 15:28:53

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Thanks Roger

That should focus the discussion.

MichaelG.

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Edit: Something like this ?

Edit: ... which I found, here.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 06/01/2016 15:38:08

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 06/01/2016 15:40:49

Roger,

On that scale : The Sherline rotary table [although considerably pricier than some others] is very well respected, and properly documented. .... This is worth reading, even if you can't justify buying one.

MichaelG.

So unlikely you will be putting a D1-3 chuck on it then.

I'd also suggets a 4 slot one as its easy to fit most vices to them and a simple backplate can be used to fit a chuck be it 3 or 4 jaw.

Thanks, the Sherline publication answers all of my questions. Nice as it is I can't afford or justify the spend on Sherline rotary at the moment so have gone for a much cheaper Warco one which will at least get me going and maybe I'll then better be able to know what bigger and better mill I need to aim for in the future.

Either that or I'll go back to stamp collecting.

Thanks to everyone for the great inputs.

The small warco one would be ideal.

I have got the one below to use on my Cowells Mill, nice and small and the backlash was significantly less than I expected.

**LINK**

No connection, just a satisfied customer.

One advantage with this one is it is only 38mm high so you do not lose very much headroom.

Colin

I went for this little one ..

**LINK**

My rotabs set up consists of ...

Chronos ( Usual disclaimer ) ... 4" tilting table - 4 slot... ref XP3, plus 3 & 4 jaw chucks... ref 145045 & 146025 ... both supplied with back plates ( 4 slot )... I suspect that these will be too big for your set up ...

George.

Hi Roger

Just considering getting small rotary table and as you have the same milling m/c as I have just purchased wondered how you have found it? i see there is also 4" rotary tables around and wondered if you think they would fit the 150mm proxxon compound or is the 3" about max that can be used?

Hi Ian,

I find the 3" fine but the 4" should fit as there seems to be enough room and it would probably be a bit better.

Rog

Thanks Roger Was not expecting reply this early in the morning.

I'm a bit of an early bird as I'm radio amateur and it's a good time for Australia/New Zealand contacts.

Roger maybe you may be able to help! using the Proxxon BFW40/e I,m trying to us milling bits with the 6mm collet I have a 6mm shaft 6mm diameter bit that fits but as its only wood that I'm working on I thought I would be able to use 6mm router bits the cutter that fits has a shaft dia of 5.97mm but the router bits 6.22, either bit will fit my wood Router but only the one with diameter of 5.97mm will fit proxxon! Have you (or anyone else) come across this?

Those router bits probably are intended for a 1/4" collet, which your router probably has. They may even be ER16 type collets. As far as I can see the Proxxon collets only take up to 6mm and they look non standard.

I can confirm that the maximum cutter shaft the BFW40/e collets will accept is 6mm. Despite much web searching I've not found any larger collets.

Bugger that means I'v got shiny new set of bits that are of little use!

I had a vague hope that exports to US might have included imperial size collets but no luck. I do have a small Jacobs chuck with a 6mm plain shaft. Far from ideal but .....

Did you try asking Proxxon direct?

Could probably be easily made?