VERTEX 4″ HORIZONTAL/VERTICAL ROTARY TABLE MADE IN TAIWAN (3900-2314)

Vertex HV-4 4″ Horizontal/Vertical Rotary Table

The Vertex HV-4 horizontal/vertical rotary table is a compact Taiwanese-built positioning table for machinists who need controlled angular movement without overwhelming a smaller milling machine, grinder or toolroom setup.

Its precision-ground work surface, high-density Meehanite cast-iron body, 90:1 worm gearing and published load capacities distinguish it from basic 4-inch rotary tables that provide dimensions but little information about construction or operating limits.

Use the HV-4 horizontally for circular machining and radial patterns or vertically for indexing and circumferential work around a horizontal axis.

Why Professionals Choose a Vertex Rotary Table

A rotary table affects every feature machined from its axis. Poor surface contact, insufficient rigidity or inconsistent movement can appear in the finished part as misaligned holes, uneven spacing, chatter or dimensional variation.

Vertex manufactures the HV series in Taiwan using high-density Meehanite cast iron and precision-ground working surfaces. The HV-4 is designed to provide a stable, controllable platform for small-part milling, drilling, boring, spot-facing and grinding setups.

• Made in Taiwan by Vertex
• High-density Meehanite cast-iron construction
• Precision-ground clamping surface
• Horizontal and vertical mounting positions
• 90:1 worm-gear ratio
• 4° of table movement per handwheel rotation
• 2MT center hole
• Three 0.43″ T-slots
• Published horizontal and vertical load capacities
• Compact 17 lb design

Compact Size for Toolrooms and Smaller Milling Machines

A large rotary table may provide more clamping area, but it also consumes spindle clearance, machine travel and load capacity. The Vertex HV-4 has an overall horizontal height of only 2.8″ and weighs 17 lbs, making it easier to install, remove and reposition than larger tables.

Its compact format is particularly useful for toolrooms, prototype departments, repair workshops and serious home machine shops that need rotary capability without permanently occupying the machine table.

90:1 Worm Drive for Predictable Angular Movement

The 90:1 gear ratio provides controlled manual rotation. One full turn of the handwheel moves the table through 4°, allowing the operator to calculate and reproduce angular movements using a straightforward relationship.

The full table circumference is graduated through 360°, and the integrated vernier scale supports fine angular adjustment. Approach the final setting from the same direction whenever possible to reduce the influence of mechanical backlash.

Meehanite Cast Iron: More Than a Marketing Label

Meehanite is a controlled cast-iron manufacturing process used for machine-tool components that require dimensional stability and vibration resistance. In a rotary-table body, these characteristics support a rigid relationship between the base, worm mechanism, spindle and clamping surface.

That rigidity matters during interrupted cuts, off-center workholding and boring operations, where cutting forces can expose weakness in a lightweight or poorly supported table body.

Horizontal and Vertical Machining

The HV-4 can be installed in two working positions:

The published vertical center height is 3.3″, while the complete table height in the vertical position is 5.7″. These dimensions should be checked against the machine’s spindle travel and available work envelope before ordering.

Published Load Capacities for Better Setup Decisions

Unlike listings that describe a rotary table only as “heavy duty,” the Vertex HV-4 provides separate load ratings for each mounting position:

• Horizontal load capacity: 77 lbs
• Vertical load capacity: 39 lbs

The total setup load includes the workpiece, chuck, mounting plate, fixture and clamping hardware. Dynamic cutting forces, workpiece overhang and interrupted cuts must also be considered when planning the operation.

Published capacity does not replace proper workholding. A lighter component mounted far from the rotary axis can create a more demanding setup than a heavier part positioned close to the table surface.

Three T-Slots and 2MT Center Hole

The table includes three 0.43″ T-slots for compatible clamps and fixtures. The arrangement provides multiple mounting locations while leaving the central 2MT bore accessible for alignment tooling and compatible Morse taper centers.

For best results, distribute clamping pressure evenly and keep the workpiece as close to the table surface and rotary axis as the operation allows.

Front-Mount Chuck Compatibility

The Vertex HV-4 is designed for use with a compatible front-mount chuck and mounting flange. A front-mounted system keeps the chuck connection appropriate for the rotary-table configuration and helps maintain usable working height.

A chuck, flange, tailstock and dividing plates are not specified as included with this rotary table. Confirm the exact Vertex-compatible mounting components before ordering accessories.

Vertex Published Inspection References

The Vertex HV-series catalog publishes the following geometric inspection references per 100mm of measurement. These values provide useful technical context when comparing the HV-4 with rotary tables that do not publish inspection criteria.

Final machining accuracy also depends on machine condition, spindle alignment, setup rigidity, cutting forces, backlash control, inspection method and operator technique.

Applications for Toolrooms and CNC Support

The HV-4 is a manual rotary table, but it can be valuable inside a CNC operation as a supporting fixture for jobs that do not require a programmable fourth axis.

• Prototype and development parts
• Manual secondary operations
• Fixture and inspection-tool preparation
• Reworking mislocated or incomplete features
• Short-run parts that do not justify a powered rotary setup
• Tooling, gauge and maintenance components

This is not a programmable CNC fourth axis. It provides manually controlled positioning and indexing.

Automotive and Mechanical Repair Applications

Automotive machine shops and mechanical-repair departments can use the HV-4 for suitably sized components such as:

• Small flanges and adapter plates
• Pulley and hub bolt patterns
• Custom brackets and mounting components
• Bearing retainers and collars
• Small pump and valve components
• Restoration parts that are no longer commercially available

Always verify workpiece size, total setup weight and machine capacity. Safety-critical vehicle components require appropriate engineering, machining and inspection procedures.

Mold, Die and Fixture Repair

For mold-maintenance and fixture departments, the compact HV-4 provides angular access without requiring a large rotary-table installation. Potential applications include:

• Positioning small mold inserts
• Machining retaining and clamping components
• Producing replacement bushings and collars
• Adding radial features to fixture components
• Preparing circular or angular inspection fixtures

The table is a positioning tool and does not replace the inspection, grinding or specialized equipment required for critical mold surfaces.

Precision Grinding and Boring Setups

The precision-ground table surface and compact Meehanite body also make the HV-4 relevant for compatible grinding and boring applications. The operator can position a small component around a controlled axis while preserving more machine clearance than a larger rotary table would allow.

Confirm that the machine, wheel or boring tool provides adequate clearance throughout the complete rotation before beginning the operation.

For Serious Hobby Machinists

A small workshop may have only one milling machine, which means every accessory must earn its storage space. At 17 lbs, the Vertex HV-4 adds circular and angular machining capability without becoming a permanent installation.

It is suited to experienced hobby machinists working on model engines, restoration parts, instruments, custom fixtures and other small precision projects where repeatable positioning matters.

Technical Specifications

Is the Vertex HV-4 the Right Size?

Choose this model when you need:

• A compact branded rotary table for smaller components
• Published load capacities in both mounting positions
• A lightweight table that can be installed and removed regularly
• 2MT center compatibility
• Low horizontal height to preserve spindle clearance
• Manual angular positioning for prototypes and repairs

Consider a larger model if the workpiece, chuck and fixture exceed the published capacity, if more clamping area is required or if the vertical setup needs a higher centerline.

Compatibility Checklist Before Ordering

• Verify the machine-table dimensions and available spindle clearance.
• Include the chuck, flange, fixture and workpiece in the total load calculation.
• Confirm compatibility with the 2MT center hole.
• Check the 0.43″ T-slot size against the intended clamping hardware.
• Confirm the 3.3″ center height for vertical setups.
• Use a compatible front-mount chuck and Vertex flange.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Vertex HV-4 made in Taiwan?

Yes. The HV-4 is a Taiwanese-manufactured Vertex rotary table with a high-density Meehanite cast-iron body and precision-ground table surface.

Can it be mounted horizontally and vertically?

Yes. Its two-position construction supports machining around either a vertical or horizontal rotary axis.

How much weight can it support?

Vertex publishes a maximum load capacity of 77 lbs in the horizontal position and 39 lbs in the vertical position. The complete load includes all workholding components and the workpiece.

Does the rotary table include a chuck?

No chuck is specified as included. The HV-4 should be paired with a compatible front-mount chuck and mounting flange.

Is it suitable for CNC machining?

It can support manual setups and secondary operations in a CNC workshop, but it is not a motorized or programmable CNC rotary axis.

Why choose Vertex instead of an unbranded rotary table?

The HV-4 provides identifiable Taiwanese manufacture, Meehanite construction, a published technical catalog, defined inspection references and separate load ratings. These factors make it easier to evaluate the product before purchase.

Buy the Right Rotary Table the First Time

A rotary table should match the machine, workpiece and intended operation—not just the available table space. The Vertex HV-4 is a strong choice when compact dimensions, documented construction and manageable weight matter more than maximum capacity.

Need help confirming compatibility? Send SHOP TOOL USA your milling-machine model, available table space, workpiece dimensions and expected setup weight. We can help you determine whether the HV-4 is appropriate before you order.