Indexing on a wood lathe, what is it used for?

[Truefire]

Could anyone help me with the question as to what exactly is the indexing function utilized for on a wood lathe? Thanks love turning and have turned lots of things on a lathe but when it comes to this feature i am kind of in the dark. I am self taught in the area of turning except for a machining class I have taken in the past at a community college. But I can't recall this feature..... Thanks, Chris:icon_scra

 

[Makinsawdust]

The main thing is if you want to make fluted legs for a piece of furniture the indexing will let you lock it in and add the flutes with a router. That way the flutes will be evenly dispersed around the leg. I sure there are any number of other things done using the indexing but I have no experience with them.
Rob

 

[toolman]

The indexing on a CNC Turning Center is for keyways, grooves and drilling holes in the side. Wood lathe???? I just turn some pens.. :confused_

 

[Mike Davis]

Flutes, flats, mortices and anything else that needs to be evenly spaced.

 

[Truefire]

Thanks guys that helps, at the very least it gives me a direction in which to travel in doing research on the topic to better understand it. Thanks again. Chris

 

[froglips]

Also good if you want to sand your turning.

It locks the wood in place.

Jim

 

[ChrisMathes]

This is an example of what I have used an indexing plate to create...it is supposed to resemble a guitar fretboard...