What rotary table would you buy?

[basicfish]

I have been a long time lurker and finaly joined the board. I have a Index 555 vertical mill (9x44 table) and I would like to purchase a rotary table with tail stock and dividing plates. I will use it in my home shop to help with garden tractor restorations and general rebuilding of wood and metal working machines. I am trying to decide if a 6 or 8 inch is the best size, not much cost difference. the 10 inch and up get a little heavy for me to move by my self. In the green bear catalog the model H7527 6 inch with plates and tailstock $255.00 looks like the cost leader, has anyone used one? I need some help from someone who has been through the rotary table odyssey. If you had to buy one from Grizzly, Enco, J&L, Harbor Freight or one of the online tool seller what on would you recommend? Thanks for all of your help.

[torker]

Hello there! Welcome to the nuthouse/sporting emporium (Psst...tell your wife that machining is a "sport". She'll think it's way cool that you are always out in the shop...getting in shape!)
As for R/T's...I have one that is probably the same as the Griz one...sold by a company up here. I really like it. the fit and finish is great and the operation flawless so far. The only thing I don't like is that it's a 6" table.
If I was to do it over I'd far rather buy a 8" or 10".
Russ

[BobWarfield]

I bought an 8" Phase II HV table from Kap Pullen (who frequents this site) off his web site:

http://www.getmachiningtools.com/

It's a real nice table and Kap was a pleasure to do business with.

Best,

BW

[jeastwood]

www.littlemachineshop.com has 6" tables; I have one of theirs, and it's of decent quality. I would agree that it's often a little small, making the clamping harder than an 8" would. If you are willing to work with the size limitations and get creative with the work holding, this manufacturer and size will probably do you fine. I see that MSC has the 8" Phase II for $400.

It's probably worth getting the version that can be oriented both vertically and horizontally; some of the tables specify that they are horizontal only. Ture, you can take one of these and mount it to a large angle plate, but the price difference for a H/V RT is probably worth it.

Regards,

Jeff E.

[Mark Hockett]

Enco always seems to have the 8" Phase II on sale. This month they are $235. http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?P...&PARTPG=INLMK3

If you want it with the tail stock and dividing plates its $385. I have both the 10" and 8" and use the 8" more just because its easier to lift on to the machine.

[Bill Pace]

Welcome.....where ya live, whatcha do, ....still working, retired?

The Phase ll tables seem to have 100% good marks, where as some others sometimes get demerits. One type seems to get REALLY bad marks, and thats the ones from India,--- think Harbor frt.

I have an 8" Phase ll from ENCO, and its smoooth as silk and fit & finish is really good,

I agree in reccomending an 8", and you'll probably pretty quickly wish you had a 10", --- but, the weight definitely becomes an issue!

What about this garden tractor restorations? Sounds interesting..... Got some pics .... this group LOVES pics

[TGTool]

Agreed. I got the 6" Harbor Freight made in India, and while it's useable I don't recommend it. Fit on several features wasn't very good so I did some remachining. OTOH it did come with dividing plates for around $180 if I recall, so I wouldn't fault it for value for money. It's just a matter of where you want to be on the quality/price line.

[cybor462]

Enco always seems to have the 8" Phase II on sale. This month they are $235. http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?P...&PARTPG=INLMK3

If you want it with the tail stock and dividing plates its $385. I have both the 10" and 8" and use the 8" more just because its easier to lift on to the machine.

I too have a 8" Phase II and it is everything that everyone here says. It is smooth, well made and I want a larger one but weight is a real factor, unless you can leave it setup since you may have 3 mills in your shop.

[SGW]

As others have said, larger is better (within reason) for a rotary table. I've got a 9" and consider it none too big, except when I try to lift it. You've got a good-size mill, well able to handle an 8" RT, so I'd definitely go for that in preference to a 6". Horizontal/vertical is nice, on occasion.

[lane]

For that size mill if you dont go with at least a 10 inch table you will be very un happy with your self. Make some kind of roll around cart you can keep it on and just drop mill table to same height and slide it on . No need to lift. . you have to remember you need room for clamps and stack blocks.