G. Thomas Versatile Dividing Head (Hemingway Kits)

[samc88]

The plans only have the plunger sleeve as having 2 flats but I wanted to do a hex as I feel it looks better so it was time to take out the collet block. Thus worked really well and am pleased with how it worked out, Ive never used the hex block until now. The trickier feature was the slot as it called for one to be 18⁰ from the first slot. I set up the part in the V groove in the vice with a square against one of the flats. Omce the first flat was done I used my protractor to set the required angle.

[steamer]

I like it!   Coming along nicely!    I have a similar sized and featured AMES dividing head that is super handy and it doesn't weigh a ton.    Watching along!

Dave

[samc88]

A nice quick part next was the acorn nut, the shape was done just by eye with a file and then was tapped 1/4 UNF. Thats the project so far, I might do some more this afternoon

[samc88]

I like it!   Coming along nicely!    I have a similar sized and featured AMES dividing head that is super handy and it doesn't weigh a ton.    Watching along!

Dave

Thanks Dave! I am really enjoying seeing it slowly building up. Very fun project so far

[steamer]

I like it!   Coming along nicely!    I have a similar sized and featured AMES dividing head that is super handy and it doesn't weigh a ton.    Watching along!

Dave

Thanks Dave! I am really enjoying seeing it slowly building up. Very fun project so far

And useful/handy.   I can drop mine into my mill vise and I'm ready to cut a gear as soon as I have the right division plate on.    No mucking around with taking the vise off the table...

Dave

[samc88]

Apologies for lack of updates but I have been progressing along in the background. I also made up the hemingway graduating tool for doing the micrometer drum on the micro attachment. Not much left to do now other than some handles, finish the tailstock and general tidying up of parts and painting the main casting.

[Don1966]

Sam I don’t know if I posted this or not , this is a spreadsheet to calculate the VDH and Micro attachment hole positions. But he way nice work!
https://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,4965.msg94796.html#msg94796

Regards Don

[samc88]

Thanks Don that looks super handy! The hemingway kit comes with a printed chart but that spreadsheet looks like it'll save working out all the uncommon ones.

Went a bit off piste with the design of the spindle lock clamp, the ball handles look nice but I went with a simple knurled knob  as there are quite a few knurled components on this and quite like how it matches. I can always do the other handles later on if I change my mind, it's only loctited in place. I made it the same diameter as the boss in the casting which looks good and is quite nice to use with the fingers, clamps the spindle easily with very little pressure.

[Bruno Mueller]

Strangely enough, your device looks exactly like mine.
 
Your knurled screw will probably not be sufficient to clamp the dividing spindle. A clamping lever may be more suitable.

[samc88]

Strangely enough, your device looks exactly like mine.
 
Your knurled screw will probably not be sufficient to clamp the dividing spindle. A clamping lever may be more suitable.

I must confess I havent tried it yet! I have a straight shank er32 collet holder which I have modified for use with the VDH I'm just waiting for a part to use it on/ excuse to use it. You may be right, when the mill is clear in between jobs with the vice removed I shall give it a go and see how it fairs

[samc88]

Been a while but with the show on the weekend I thought I would beautify my VDH with some Colchester green. I have used it a few times and I never got around to painting it (the knurled screw does clamp the spindle nicely but with my small milling machine I've not really pushed it too hard). Ideally I would like a proper tailstock to go with it one day

[Kim]

That's a really nice looking dividing head!  Beautiful work!

Kim

[Chipswitheverything]

Like you, I started to use the, my,  dividing head before painting the casting, and now, years later, I don't think that I would get the oil out of the surface to make the paint stick to it. Maybe boil it in a pan of soda for a few hours?  Just joking ...   I made up the separate tailstock, and also the raising blocks : though I haven't used them a lot, they are useful when using the head on the mill rather than on the Myford lathe. I use the home made collet system of steel sleeves, but also the Myford nose thread adaptor, and the raising blocks are helpful when a chuck is put on the dividing head.  I must admit to never having used the micro attachment since I did the plate drillings long ago, nor the plates themselves to any extent.  But it depends on what projects one is interested in, and in any case, making the tool with it's full ancillaries was interesting in itself.  Dave

[Bruno Mueller]

I ordered the complete set of castings from Hemingway before Brexit had been finalized.
I made several spindles for the part head.
Some time later, I ordered a set of parts for a vise from Hemingway. The vise's turntable also fits the part head well. Only two additional mounting holes had to be drilled in the base.