rotary table modification

The mounts for my rotary table, a Soba 6" are fine when the table top is horizontal, but I was not happy with it when the axis was horizontal. Some time ago, I added a small angle block to the side opposite to the mounts which gives better security. The holes in the base are for 8mm bolts, and blind, I checked the thickness of the casting while the RT was dismantled for cleaning.

I have a similar rotab and was interested in your mod.

I was slightly puzzled by your third photo which seems not to show the added angle plate; are we meant to be looking what looks like some welds on the other side of the base?

Just a suggestion: It may be an advantage to make the angle bracket higher and key into the hold down slot in the RT in case the slop in the M8 mounting holes allows the base side of the RT to lift slightly.

The third photo is to better emphasize the narrow base and the offset fixture holes. The view from the opposite side from the winding handle is better, the RT is just balanced on the mill bed. There are no welds. The angle bracket was spare and good enough for the job, the 8mm screws are tightened into tapped holes with about 2 diameters of thread, there is no slop at all.

Have attached a couple of photos showing my EMCO RT bolted to the table using a small angle bracket. The second pic is the table being modified to receive a stepper motor for eventual Arduino control .

RT being modified to receive a stepper motor for Arduino control

Am I right in assuming your RT was not intended to sit that way round, or are you also concerned with adding extra security?

Correct. The RT was not designed to be mounted in the vertical position but needs must and all that. The mounting required a couple of tapped holes in the two lower corners of the base and the angle plate to be undercut to receive two ¼” BSF hex bolts which in no way affected the workings or the aesthetics of the table when used in the horizontal position. Rigidity has proved to be quite adequate for my purposes.

If you ever needed to hold heavier work, you could easily use a much larger angle plate with screws at the top of the table base as well as at the bottom.