31 Jan
2002
31 Jan
'02
6:48 a.m.
On Thu, 31 Jan 2002, Tony Duell wrote:
I have a real Myford dividing head. It's a 60:1
gearbox with the output
spindle having an end (and an internal morse taper) identical to the
lathe mandrel (so you can fit the chuck, collets, and so on to hold the
workpiece). The input spindle has the division plate/index pin as you
suggest.
I'm seriously jealous.
Whichever way you use it, it's ideal for cutting
small gears. The
division plates I have give you all numbers up to 50, and all even
numbers apart from 88 (I think) from 50 to 100. You can get other plates
for the other divisions, but I doubt I'll ever need them.
OK. I've tried hard to stay out of this thread, but as a silversmith,
ex-welder/machinist, and devoted tinkerer, I can no longer sit still.
This is not rocket science. Take the thing (the whole assembly) to
the local watchmaker. Get N+1 pieces made. Share. Or, with a good
indexing head and very basic diamond tools - don't flinch, my set for
the flexshaft cost ~$30 - you just do it. Find the OD, and get a rod
to suit. Count teeth, guesstimate (tm) the depth and width (ratio) of
the teeth. Do basic math. Start cutting trial gears.
And, forget casting. In the size gear you're looking at, by the time
you remove flash, correct warpage, and polish the casting, you've pretty
much machined a gear....
Doc