Indexer/Dividing head question

[jpigg55]

Is there a indexer made that has a 1 1/2" - 8 TPI spindle ?
Would like to have on that I could use my lathe chucks on.

[Terrywerm]

Yes, a semi-universal indexing head, commonly referred to as a BS-0 typically has a 1-1/2" - 8 TPI spindle nose.  But shop carefully and verify before you buy.


ON EDIT:  I almost forgot:  Most BS-0 size dividing heads will only handle up to a 5" chuck and use a B&S #7 taper in the spindle.   Vertex used to offer one that was listed as having a #2 Morse Taper, but I am not sure if that was an error or if it is still available.

[4GSR]

Be careful there, just like Terry said. 
My B & S No.0 has a No. 2 MT, BUT has an odd balled spindle nose thread.  Something like a 1.155 x 10 tpi.  Very odd balled.  I made me a thread gage so I have a way to gage a internal thread for a back plate if I ever need one later on.  I have mine mounted on a riser plate so I can swing a larger work piece if I ever need to do so.  Also to work with my tailstock I use on my 8" super spacer.

Ken

[Terrywerm]

You can purchase a Chinese made BS-0 on eBay, free shipping, with a 5" three jaw chuck (2 sets of jaws) on eBay currently for $219.50 but I am not certain about the quality of this unit.  So I took a look at the BS-0 indexing head offered by MSC and it appears to be the exact same thing. Early reviews were very good, but the most recent one is very poor. MSC also wants $855 for theirs after discount, and Shars also offers one for $425. Considering that they are probably all made in the same factory in the hills of China, a person's best bet might be to get the cheapest one available and start from there.


I've been looking to purchase one of these also, and frankly, I don't know what I should order.  At least these are not the $49.99 specials that we encountered some time back!

[Terrywerm]

Precision Matthews also offers one, also an import, for $349.  That might be $130 more than the cheapest ones on eBay, but I know that Matt will work with a person to get things right if they are not what is expected. His BS-0 is listed as having 1 1/2"-8 threads, B&S #7 taper, and a 5" chuck is included along with both inside and outside jaws. Also included is a tailstock, dead center, and drive dog for working between centers as well as three indexing plates.  Here is the link to this unit on his website:  https://www.precisionmatthews.com/shop/bs0dividinghead/

[Terrywerm]

Okay, so I bit the bullet on one from Precision Matthews, $349.98 shipped to my door. Will do a review when it arrives.

Funny part is that I put one of these on my list when my wife asked what I might like for Christmas. Come to think of it, it's the only thing on the list. Guess I'll have to let her wrap it up and put it under the tree until December, but not until a thorough inspection is performed, of course!

[4GSR]

Some of these dividing heads are starting to come out of India.  And I'm not really sure about their quality either.  So far not impressed with the few things I've bought that has come from there.  Ken

[jpigg55]

Thanks for all the replies.
I did find a Vertex listed on eBay, but seems the new version doesn't have a threaded spindle. Not sure what that's about ?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vertex-Semi-Universal-Dividing-Head-w-Plates-Tailstock-BS-0-BH-1001-050/182805329435?hash=item2a900bf61b:g:6QQAAOSwPh5ZHadU

All things considered, think I'll hold off and see if I can come up with a solution for the Carroll dividing head I have.
I picked it up on eBay a few years back for under $150, but came missing the chuck, dead center, and drive dog. Also had only one dividing plate, but did come with tailstock.
According to the literature I found, the spindle is a #9 B&S taper and 1 3/4 - 6 TPI thread.
Since then, I've had my eye out for a chuck and plates, but no luck. Not sure how hard it is to find a #9 B&S dead center or a drive dog to fit it.

Ideally, I could find a way to make an adapter so I could use my lathe chucks. Be able to go from the lathe to the dividing head without removing the work from the chuck, but not sure how I could go from the 1 3/4 -6 thread to 1 1/2 - 8 thread.
Right now, I'm thinking my best and cheapest option would be to find a piece of cast and make a chuck back-plate I could thread to fit.

[4GSR]

That doesn't make sense not having a threaded spindle nose, but it comes with a 5" 3-jaw chuck.  Theywant too much for that one anyways. 
I notice there are several for around $220 bucks that have threaded noses, I'd buy one of them in a heart beat.

If you want a piece of cast iron to make a chuck adapter, PM me what size you need and I'll get you fixed up with a piece.

Ken

[jpigg55]

Thanks for the offer Ken.
I might take you up on that, but I'll check around here first. Still have a lot of old cast iron farm machinery around me I can scavenge from.

Ran up to the shop and grabbed some pictures of my Carroll dividing head, I think it's a model DR-6 RH.
Thought I'd go ahead and post them.