Note, if you are waiting on Amazon, I saw that Banggood has a few of them in their US warehouse for $79.99 https://us.banggood.com/Wholesale-Warehouse-BG6350-Multifunction-Drill-Vise-Fixture-Working-Table-Mini-Precision-Milling-Machine-Worktable-wp-Usa-1206954.html
I noticed that table has less than 2" of Y travel. Probably OK for your specific project but maybe limiting for general use. A cross vise may be more general purpose.
I looked at buying a Kurt when I ordered my PM-25MVs replacement, but I couldn't see shelling out near that much for one. I also almost ordered the 6" vise on sale for $99 from them, but I decided to go with a smaller one. I ended up going with the Homge 5" that shipped with the new mill. The free shipping with the machine is really nice.
My only complaint with the few times I've dealt with PM is that I've had issues tracking anything through Saia. Not really their fault, but still an annoyance with the process. My new mill shipped on the 27th, but I still can't track it and have no idea what time frame to expect it. I know Saia calls to set a delivery date, but it would be nice to know when I need to have the forklift at my house.
Those are fantastic machines you guys have there, but for this lesser mortal I'm going to try this which will be back in stock on Amazon:And this to go along with it:https://www.ebay.com/itm/3-ROTARY-TABLE-HORIZONTAL-VERTICAL-NEW-BEST-BUY-IN-TOWN-PIC-5794/262357804530?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649I'm planning on using it on my large floor stand Rigid drill press. Any thoughts from you Pro's on the feasablilty of this dinky set up would be appreciated.
I ordered a PM-835S with the DRO and all three power feeds. I'm lazy and wanted to be back up and running as quickly as possible. With my lathe and all the airgun support equipment,is Idont believe I could fit anything larger in my little shop.
My drill press has zero chatter as it's the best one that Rigid makes for small shop and home use. I'm waffling on the rotating table, but it's the only way I can think of to get a stepped edge for inserts like these.Those are just my starter projects and what got me thinking about an axis table. I have $150 in Amazon gift dollars I need to spend anyway.
Lemme attempt to 'splain one way you might make your sight inserts without a rotary table, using the X/Y table and your drill press.First, drill your hole in the disk blank roughly on center.Make a mandrel. This can just be a cap screw, bolt or whatever with the head cut off. The diameter of the screw should be a close fit to the hole in the disk.Assemble your disk to the mandrel, sandwiched between a washer and nut on either side of the disk.Put the mandrel assembly in the chuck of your drill press, positioning the disk as close to the chuck jaws as practical.Now you will need to somehow affix a small (1/4" square will work fine) lathe turning bit to your X/Y table. A small (1" or 2"), inexpensive aluminum vise will do. You can clamp the tool bit either horizontally or vertically in the vise. Keep in mind that you will need a small vise to do much of anything using your X/Y table anyway.Congratulations. You've created a crude (but useful for your purpose) vertical lathe. Using the quill as your Z axis, you now have three axes (XYZ) to work with. You can position the tool bit with the X/Y table in relation to your disk, "turn" the OD by pulling the quill handle down (checking it with calipers) so that the disk contacts the cutting edge of the tool bit, and in similar fashion cut your step to the correct depth and diameter.I hope the above is reasonably understandable. One can make poppets, pins, modified fasteners and all kinds of goodies using variations of this method.
Looks like you are at the entrance of the mini lathe rabbit hole.
Don't worry, embrace the idea of a lathe at your disposal!