Need help figuring out how to use a rotary table operation.

[Dabbler]

When a Tool and Die making friend was setting up his basement shop,He wanted to store a rotary table and a dividing head and get it oh his BP mill. I made him a moving table out of an old PDP 11 cabinet. I made it the same height that he usually had his mill table at. He then could slide the vice, the RT or the DH onto the table with minimal effort. the 12" RT weighed about 150 lbs. He was able to use this arrangement into his mid 80s.

He had no lifting equipment in his basement FYI

 

[projectnut]

When a Tool and Die making friend was setting up his basement shop,He wanted to store a rotary table and a dividing head and get it oh his BP mill. I made him a moving table out of an old PDP 11 cabinet. I made it the same height that he usually had his mill table at. He then could slide the vice, the RT or the DH onto the table with minimal effort. the 12" RT weighed about 150 lbs. He was able to use this arrangement into his mid 80s.

He had no lifting equipment in his basement FYI

I'm glad to hear that. I have the same size rotary table, an 11" indexer, a couple vises that are in the 125 lb. to 150 lb. range, and a bunch of other tooling that's getting harder and harder to lift. I'll turn 76 in a few weeks, and while I love the hobby, lifting the tooling is literally getting to be a PITA. With the lift table, overhead hoist, and dollies I should be good for at least another 10 years.

 

[Janderso]

Joe Pie Rotary Table Video

Here is a goo video from Joe Pie on using the rotary table and doing what you are asking.

Joe makes everything look easy.
I struggle a bit with RT's but man they are sure a valuable tool due to the wide variety of things that can be accomplished.