A Simple Index Wheel

2bits · Post by **2bits** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 10:44 pm

Thanks Ed,
I like your idea for the pin lock much better than anything I have seen "store bought". I have the G-3 chuck so it looks like all I need to do is measure the outside diameter of the adapter to find the correct idex plate from Ironfire and then I should be in business.

If I get real lucky it may have even cooled off enough to get out to the shop for more than 10 minutes without leaving puddles:D

tgamel · Post by **tgamel** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 7:54 am

horologist wrote:Pat,

It is useful for performing some operation at evenly spaced intervals on your work. Flutes on columns or teeth on clock gears for example.

Troy

Glad Pat asked cause I was kind of wondering what is was for as well....

Todd

pennview · Post by **pennview** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 8:45 am

If anyone is interested in making an indexing wheel from scratch, a simple way to lay out the hole pattern is to create a pie chart that uses a spread sheet program like the one that comes with Microsoft Works.

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 5:40 pm

2bits wrote:This is my first attempt at designing a index wheel system for the SS and when I finish the router attachment that goes with it I may take my drawings to a machine shop for real pros to fabricate it if there is enough interest.
ldh

I know this was posted awhile back Idh, but did you ever find someone that would produce these? I have some future projects on the "to do" list and an indexing wheel for the shopsmith would be really nice. I have just started looking around. I cannot tell if the one on Penn State would work on a Shopsmith without a lot of additional modifications (not my strong suit)

http://www.ironfirellc.com/main.sc has idexing wheels but it looks like the center hole may be too large.

If anyone else has some thoughts or ideas (other than making it from scatch) I'm all ears.

You could use their 1 1/4" wheel with a Shopsmith saw blade arbor, also mounting it on the back of the headstock seems like a way to make access to the holes easier.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 2:55 pm

I was unclear to me if the hole is plain(no threads). If plain I would jump on one.

As has already been mentioned, rear shaft mounting brings the main shaft(splines) backlash into play.

A way to clamp the quill shaft and consistently bias make it would work though.