Building The (VDH) Versatile Dividing Head

[Don1966]

OK Dave, I know your going to like this. Today brown showed up and I made the spindle. . I still have the nuts to make for it but I getting closer here. I had a problem trying to cut the first threads on the end of the spindle. I finally realized I had the wrong cutter.  That was almost a remake but all turned well.
The photos show the drilling, boring, reaming of the center bore. I then transfer it to the spindle arbor to cut the final dimenison of 1.0625" and started threading. The internal bore is .75" and I have a 1.0625" thread and a 1" thread with a 1" shaft section for the worm gear.
The photos start with drilling the bore and progresses to boring and reaming to .75"



I then transfering it to the spindle arbor and cut the OD to 1.0625. Threading the the last set of threads on the Spindle.

Cutting the 5/32" key slot, this is where the worm gear will fit.

This is the Spindle complete and fits great. It was a little snug when I first pushed it in but loosen up as soon as I slipped it all the way in.


I will try to get more do this weekend but I have things to do around the house so we will see. Thanks for looking.

Don

[steamer]

Hey Don,

Nicely done!.... there was a lot of work in that part...all of them sensitive and critical.  You did a great job!

Dave

[ths]

It's great, isn't it Don, working carefully, and just building this great tool? It's the same with models too, but different, because they can't be bought at the shops, but here you're competing with established tool manufacturers, and it looks as though you're doing that very successfully. Good stuff!

Cheers, Hugh.

[Don1966]

Thanks Dave and Hugh for you kind comments, I hope it all turn out OK or I am back to square one.

Don

[vcutajar]

Good progress Don.  Still quietly following along and I am sure that everything will turn out OK.  I am sure of that.

Vince

[Dave Otto]

Lookin good Don!

I have been enjoying following along.

Dave

[Don1966]

Hi Vince, Dave and thanks guys for looking in and commenting. I appreciate your encouragements.

Don

[Don1966]

OK made the nuts for the spindle and did a preassemble on the VDH. Just a tease shot of it. I still have to make the locking pad handle. It a ball handle so it will take a while. This will be the last progress till I get back from vacation. Those of you living in the UK , I will be heading your way we leave July 4th heading for London then from there to Italy. It will be two weeks before I get back.
The photos of the VDH as it stands for now, still needs cleanup and a few parts yet.



Thanks for looking.

Don

[ths]

It's looking great Don, have a great time in old Blighty.

Hugh.

[Dave Otto]

Impressive piece of hardware Don.

Have a great trip

Dave

[steamer]

Awesome Job Don!.....that solution is very attractive still!.....maybe a winter project!....1 1/2-8 nose to a 3C collet!...though I would really like it if I could just grab the whole thing in the mill vise....that would be very convenient!

Can you get the helical gear state side?....

Additionally, I want to wish you a very happy and healthy vacation!....Enjoy it bud...you earned it!

Dave

[Don1966]

Thanks Hugh and Dave Otta for your comments and looking in.

Dave I don't know of any source for this gear. I purchased the worm and gear from Hemingway. The gear is a 4 degree 32' LH Helix gear 14.5 PA.
 The unit will fit in my mill vise. I started a arbor for my myford chuck liked the one in the accessories drawing, but I think I made the MT 2 cut too deep so I will have to remake.
And thanks for the good wishes buddy.

Don

[Maryak]

Hi Don,

Been following along quietly but...................couldn't let you go on vacation with acknowledging the wonderful job on the dividing head. 

Best Regards
Bob

[ChrisH]

Great job and enjoy your new tool

If I may make a suggestion, I found it useful to mark the 'inside' edges of the index fingers, that way I don't get confused which side of the finger to use. I made that mistake once and ruined a gear I was cutting so thought it was a worthwhile mod. To mark them I used a slitting saw to cut a groove close to one edge and filled it with red enamel paint.

Chris

[Maryak]

The other alternative is to shape them with the insides a straight edge and the outsides at an angle viz:





Best Regards
Bob