Hi, can anyone recommend a good rotary table to use with the Harbor Freight Mini-Mill?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=44991

I was looking at this one:

http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=1810&category=2

I heard that the 6" rotary table from HF is too large, and also I want to get a little bit more quality.


Thanks guys!

My first question is do you have a lathe?

What type of work are you wanting to do with the rotary table?
Is it for hole patterns? These are easily done using
square X&Y moves.

Is it for cutting faceted shapes, such as hex or octogons?

the 4 inch one you posted the link to is a reasonable deal
imho.

However there is no 3 or 4 jaw chuck with it.

If you have used rotary tables in the past,
you realize that sometimes you have to get really
creative as to how you mount your pieces to
the rotary table itself.

One the size as shown in your link, I would mount an aluminum
plate as large of diameter. and as thick as possible, after drilling and tapping
some clamp holes in it. Indicate the center bore of the rotary table
in and mount the plate and put a hole through the center of the plate.

This way you would have more options for clamps and such.

I used rotary tables alot 30 years ago, they have kind of gone to the
wayside, you might check some local shops in your area and see if they have
any small ones sitting around, might find a very good one.

I know our shop has three that has not been used for 15-16 years, but they are
12 inch, way too large for your use.

Hopes this helps a little.

Thanks for the response Brushy Bill. I want to be able to make helical cuts in round stock of some harder tool steel. I was thinking about making some rifling buttons for softer material such as brass. Also I'd like to make some specialized milling bits (for use on aluminum). I really can't afford a cutter grinder, nor can i run one where I'm at right now.