Rotary table type?.......

Not having ever used a rotary table on a milling machine I am not sure about the relative merits of the three T nut slot version versus the four slot type. My lathe chuck on its backplate is secured to the headstock by three threaded studs so maybe the three slot version might be more appropriate but other than that I don't know.

Rik

If you intend to use your 3 T slot lathe chuck on the rotary table it will have to have a matching number of slots. I have a 4 slot rotary table to match the 4 slots on my lathe chuck. Have a look at previous posts for rotary tables and my photos.

Paul.

Edited By Paul Janes on 07/12/2013 10:21:04

It depends, if I read your post correctly you said you said you use STUDS that are screwed into the backplate correct? If your lathe chucks aren't the type that use through bolts from the face of the chuck, then there's no way to fasten the chuck to the R/T the way it's set up now. Ideally you'd make a copy of your lathes spindle nose and it's method of attaching chucks. Then bolt that concentric to the R/T first, then you'd use that to attach your chucks. So if it were me? 4 slots will always hold far better than 3.

Pete

I bought & fitted a four slot chuck mounting to the four slot rotab' I' bought last year, not having a tapered central hole but tapped with a Whit' thread for some reason?, never the less I machined an adaptor to suit the thread in the rotab & recess in the back of the 3 & 4 jaw chuck back plates, which both happen to be the same. I used the adaptor to centralise the rotab' & then centralise the job to suit using the 4 jaws, or if using the 3 jaw it centralises itself, (I double check with dti) . I remade the clamping plates & T nuts out of decent steel as the supplied fittings were the usual Chinese crap metal & substituted cap screws for the hex head bolts supplied, much more secure clamping. I have a short set of pics in my album if you want to cast a glance in there.

George.