Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Oct 13, 2009 05:46am | #1

   On top of the headstock, just above the dial, there is a small hole. If you put the proper sized pin in the hole, it may need to have a pointed or smaller diameter end, it will engage in one of a series of probably 36 holes in the spindle, locking the spindle in place so it can't rotate. The dial tells you which hole you are in. The proper name for the process is called indexing and it is useful for doing certain procedures like fluting a spindle.

   John White
   Shop Manager for FWW Magazine, 1998 to 2007
2. 
   SteveSchoene | Oct 13, 2009 04:23pm | #2

   John has told you the purpose of the index wheel.  On my example of that model, there is a small knob that you push to engage the index pin.  Push it to the right (toward the tail stock) to engage, and to the left for normal operation. 

   
   

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   Edited 10/13/2009 9:24 am ET by SteveSchoene