Next video has it in a basic use for 12 holes being drilled in some work. The following video will show a new 72 hole disc I had to make as I needed 5 degree increments for some more detailed work and another first. That video heavily replied on the indexing system.
This is a really good method to index because the system on my lathe uses three holes in the headstock that align with 12 holes in the spindle and sometimes it's hard to work out which sets of holes to use and then remember where you are at during the process while you are squinting down the holes to see when the spindle shaft lines up with them. This keeps everything on one plane and visible. Good job. Edit - that Blocklayer site is fantastic!! Thanks for that.
Thank you Mike. Already been put through it paces and projects to come onto the channel using it. A well worth cheap build. Something about making your own tools etc.
I recently discovered Earl's channel and intend to have give open segment turning a go. Thanks for sharing your take on this. I will definitely making my own.
Thank you Cliff. Yes Earl does some great things which is how I got into open segmented work. It's a lot easier than closed segmented work as you don;t have to be so precise with the angles. Making the index system is best to be as accurate as possible so that the pieces look more even when they go on.
Thank you Robert. I'm on a tool making exercise at the moment for some reason. Still have some part built but actually using this indexing at the moment on a few projects.
Great video. I have one of Paul Howard's index plates fir use with the fluting jig. Whist it have many combinations of settings, I can already foresee when a bespoke plate might be necessary for a specific task.
Although my lathe has an indexing system I need to make one of these if I want to work with steps other than 24 so I really need to make one of these. I've watched Earl's channel for a long time and yes, you are right, his work IS amazing. A neat idea with the slot to work around the drift in the hole alignment and also means you can use the same assembly for different diameter rings. Very informative and well thought out video. thanks for this.
Thank you Stephen. The slot was ideal as I then had to make a 72 hole disc which was bigger for another project. It can take a small amount of time to make a new disc so to me this system works as it should and allows so much flexibility.
Thank you John. Yes two videos already scheduled with this in use. The second heavily in use with a new 72 hole disc. Currently have another project on the lathe relying on this system using the 60 hole disc from this video.
Thank you Donal. I've had to make a 72 hole disc for a project up in 2 weeks as I needed 5 deg increments. Takes a short amount of time to make the discs now so that's what is good about these.
Terrific project! I'm also looking forward to attempting open segment work and your indexing system will allow me to experiment with little or no additional expense. And, your recommendation of Earl's Small Segment Shop channell is well made. He's a great resource for segmented turners. Keep sharing your creations. Always interesting.
Hi Paul, thanks for this. I have always been baffled why APCT and others have the motor in that position. I have a number of spacers for various face plates on my old M900 and Hobby to extend the piece away from the motor. I will certainly have a go at this , although at the moment I have no project that needs accurate indexing. Thanks for posting
I'm sure they put the motor there as it's more compact and they can call it a hobby lathe. Then they can charge premium prices for a production lathe to move the motor and spray it another colour. I have 2 project videos to follow with this being used, the second heavily reliant on the indexing and a 3rd on the lathe now.
I had to drill a 25mm hole to slot over my spindle and I drilled 3mm holes for the stops which fits the nails I have. You can drill them any size for what suits you for a stopper. I've since drilled a 35mm hole in the centre part way through the thickness to reduce the amount of material between the chuck and spindle meaning the chuck can be tightened better.
Great, just measure your spindle dimension and how much clearance you have for the disc. I've since made a 72 hole version too and as they are so quick to make when I need different settings they can soon be made. Ideally you want them thin at the spindle to give the chuck as much thread as possible and thick at the stop holes to reduce movement on what you use as a pin. Ideally a slightly small hole for the nails I use would be better but my 72 hole version is a much tighter fit as it was 2 boards glued together after the holes were drilled and therefore has a very minor alignment on those holes making a perfect fit.
I knew there was a good reason to subscribe to your channel ;-) Would there be enough meat on the disc to tap a thread? This would both centre and secure it in place.
Thank you Mac. I've since made the contact thinner by using a 35mm forstner bit to allow the chuck to tighten more, so I would suggest a truer hole on the spindle contact rather than threading it as it's probably more useful to be able to move the disc position on the spindle in relation to where the chuck tightens down.
I would guess yes if you need to take it off and back on again. If everything is staying in place until the index is finished with then I would guess no.
Let's see it in action!
Next video has it in a basic use for 12 holes being drilled in some work. The following video will show a new 72 hole disc I had to make as I needed 5 degree increments for some more detailed work and another first. That video heavily replied on the indexing system.
This is a really good method to index because the system on my lathe uses three holes in the headstock that align with 12 holes in the spindle and sometimes it's hard to work out which sets of holes to use and then remember where you are at during the process while you are squinting down the holes to see when the spindle shaft lines up with them. This keeps everything on one plane and visible. Good job.
Edit - that Blocklayer site is fantastic!! Thanks for that.
Thank you Brendan. It worked far better than I imagined, great to make and costs nothing really other than time.
superb project Paul and a good call for Earls channel!
Cheers, Bram
Thank you Bram
Great idea. Just what I need for my next project. Many thanks.
Thank you, glad it helped and certainly a much cheaper option to buying.
A very well made indexer there Paul. Good solid demonstration on the build process too.
Great video
Cheers
Mike
Thank you Mike. Already been put through it paces and projects to come onto the channel using it.
A well worth cheap build. Something about making your own tools etc.
I recently discovered Earl's channel and intend to have give open segment turning a go. Thanks for sharing your take on this. I will definitely making my own.
Thank you Cliff. Yes Earl does some great things which is how I got into open segmented work. It's a lot easier than closed segmented work as you don;t have to be so precise with the angles. Making the index system is best to be as accurate as possible so that the pieces look more even when they go on.
Great decision!
Thank you Aleksey
Good work, Paul! Sometimes functionality makes all the difference when you're in the shop!
Thank you Robert. I'm on a tool making exercise at the moment for some reason. Still have some part built but actually using this indexing at the moment on a few projects.
Thank so much for sharing great ideas my friend 👏🏻🍻
Thank you Tomas
Great video. I have one of Paul Howard's index plates fir use with the fluting jig. Whist it have many combinations of settings, I can already foresee when a bespoke plate might be necessary for a specific task.
Thank you William. Great, with that you already have the locating arm so would only need to make a disc that you needed.
Very nice.
Thank you
Nice and very clever Paul.
Júlíus
Thank you Julius
Although my lathe has an indexing system I need to make one of these if I want to work with steps other than 24 so I really need to make one of these. I've watched Earl's channel for a long time and yes, you are right, his work IS amazing. A neat idea with the slot to work around the drift in the hole alignment and also means you can use the same assembly for different diameter rings. Very informative and well thought out video. thanks for this.
Thank you Stephen. The slot was ideal as I then had to make a 72 hole disc which was bigger for another project. It can take a small amount of time to make a new disc so to me this system works as it should and allows so much flexibility.
Nice Paul. looks like it will be really useful
Thank you John. Yes two videos already scheduled with this in use. The second heavily in use with a new 72 hole disc. Currently have another project on the lathe relying on this system using the 60 hole disc from this video.
Great video Paul and I agree about earls channel it's awesome. If you can make a 64 and 48 hole discs they are also handy to have.
Thank you Donal. I've had to make a 72 hole disc for a project up in 2 weeks as I needed 5 deg increments. Takes a short amount of time to make the discs now so that's what is good about these.
Terrific project! I'm also looking forward to attempting open segment work and your indexing system will allow me to experiment with little or no additional expense. And, your recommendation of Earl's Small Segment Shop channell is well made. He's a great resource for segmented turners. Keep sharing your creations. Always interesting.
Hi Paul, thanks for this. I have always been baffled why APCT and others have the motor in that position. I have a number of spacers for various face plates on my old M900 and Hobby to extend the piece away from the motor. I will certainly have a go at this , although at the moment I have no project that needs accurate indexing. Thanks for posting
I'm sure they put the motor there as it's more compact and they can call it a hobby lathe. Then they can charge premium prices for a production lathe to move the motor and spray it another colour. I have 2 project videos to follow with this being used, the second heavily reliant on the indexing and a 3rd on the lathe now.
Brilliant Paul---- smart arse!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😁😁😁😁😁😁😁
Thank you Alan 😀
Hi Paul, what is the size of the center hole and the size of the outer holes?
I had to drill a 25mm hole to slot over my spindle and I drilled 3mm holes for the stops which fits the nails I have. You can drill them any size for what suits you for a stopper. I've since drilled a 35mm hole in the centre part way through the thickness to reduce the amount of material between the chuck and spindle meaning the chuck can be tightened better.
Thanks for the info Paul. I have an idea to try something with my 3D printer. i'll let you know how it goes.
Great, just measure your spindle dimension and how much clearance you have for the disc. I've since made a 72 hole version too and as they are so quick to make when I need different settings they can soon be made.
Ideally you want them thin at the spindle to give the chuck as much thread as possible and thick at the stop holes to reduce movement on what you use as a pin. Ideally a slightly small hole for the nails I use would be better but my 72 hole version is a much tighter fit as it was 2 boards glued together after the holes were drilled and therefore has a very minor alignment on those holes making a perfect fit.
Great Paul many thanks, you did mention the spindle hole was slightly to big, was that simply down to the available drill bit you had?
Think it was probably because I used a hand drill. You should measure the spindle size properly before you decide to make one yourself.
I knew there was a good reason to subscribe to your channel ;-) Would there be enough meat on the disc to tap a thread? This would both centre and secure it in place.
Thank you Mac. I've since made the contact thinner by using a 35mm forstner bit to allow the chuck to tighten more, so I would suggest a truer hole on the spindle contact rather than threading it as it's probably more useful to be able to move the disc position on the spindle in relation to where the chuck tightens down.
Is it not important to align the indexer with the chuck? You could make a mark and line that up with center of jaw #1.
I would guess yes if you need to take it off and back on again. If everything is staying in place until the index is finished with then I would guess no.