Borbin the 🐱

Indexer for Atlas 7B Shaper, Part 1

21 January, 2019


The Altas 7B shaper is a rare metal shaper dating back 70+ years. Even more rare is the optional indexer.
And a perfect new project to replicate this rotary indexer for my Atlas shaper!

While browsing eBay for some suitable round table with t-nuts I could use to get started for the project, I found this:

An original S7-425 rotary indexer table! Arrived a few days later:

With the top of the indexer covered, I needed material for the base. Lots of 3/4" thick 8" round plate available at eBay:

But a few mm to large for the lathe. To get the jaws a good grip and to pass the bed of the lathe, I had to cut out the four sides to make it fit.

Cutting out the hole for the plate:

This setup is for the engraving. With a insert for cutting threads, the degree ticks were done. A simple wood block ensured a constant length of the tick marks. Once done, the 5 and 10 degree marks were done with a slightly larger depth.

First part of the base is finished.