My Rotary Table Is Too Big! Is It Possible?

[Str8jacket]

Has this ever been said? Or is it like workshops, no such words have ever been uttered!
Looking at buying and have my eye on a good condition 400mm horizontal table and wondering if it is too big for most work or does it not matter? Opinions, thoughts or just speculation appreciated.

Thanks

 

[johnnyc14]

A 16 inch rotary table is going to weigh over 250 pounds. How big is your milling machine?

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

my 12 in. Bridgeport is really too big for me

 

[Str8jacket]

Its pretty big. Not sure what to compare it too. Pacific Fu1600. Got over excited when i purchased

 

[Str8jacket]

Hi Ed, is the 12in too big for your machine or does it make it awkward to work around the size?

 

[Tony Wells]

Ben, you have any documentation like a mannual for your mill? It looks a lot like my Zayer in many features. I have been unable to find much info on the net on mine, even trying the factory.

 

[Str8jacket]

No nothing. I did have a bloke who promised to get me some but never came through. I think i will harass him again.
I think mine is either a rebadged or a knock off lagun

 

[wrat]

Its pretty big. Not sure what to compare it too. Pacific Fu1600. Got over excited when i purchased

Looks like we both did the same thing.

I excitedly purchased a Kearney Trekker 210CH (like a 3C, i think) which looks just like an older big-brother of yours. With it, I got a 23 inch(!) KT rotary table. The rotary is wider than the mill table, but the interface is the same.

According to KT literature, the rotary table weighs 750lb. I believe it. Now while that sounds like a lot, according to the same literature, the machine weighs so-close-as-not-to-matter 10,000 lbs. So it all works.

In answer to your question, no, I don't think you can have a table too big. If the spindle can reach the center point without interference, then it's a good fit. There's no need for the crossfeed to reach beyond the center, at least not geometrically, so once again, bigger is better -- whether it is or not <LOL>

Pro Tip: Without reservation, I'd say the most important aspect is being able to remove and replace the table at-will with minimal effort. I've used a forklift, but am now installing a hoist and chain hardware. Having a big rotary table is very desirable and too cool, but being able to NOT have the table is sometimes better.

Wrat

 

[ogberi]

You can't have too big of a rotary table, just too small of a machine to use it on. My buddy *GAVE* me a 10" rotary table. It's just a bit too big for my little Atlas MFC mill with it's 4x18 table...

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

I picked up the Bridgeport 12" at a garage sale for $100 BUt it was used with a motor drive, so it has calibrated Turning handle I made a handle but no dial yet. Also this was when I had BurkeMillrite mill 7x27 table. I just sold it and got a Bridgeport 9x36 table so may be more suitable. but for me a 10" would be ideal. I would trade for a smaller one.