Precision Dividing for Small Shop Metalworkers

by Harold Hall

Overview

A skill that consists of precisely spacing cuts, dividing is a crucial technique for gear cutting and radial work on a metalworking lathe. This complete guide to dividing clearly explains its principles  and covers everything a model engineer needs to know about dividing and several methods that can be achieved – from simple applications without specialized equipment to the use of a semi-universal dividing head and a rotary table. The mathematics of dividing are also included and written in an easy-to-understand format that won’t intimidate.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781637411322
Publisher:	Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Incorporated
Publication date:	01/01/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	250
File size:	13 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Harold Hall worked as an electrical control systems engineer for thirty-five years before becoming editor of Model Engineer's Workshop magazine. He is the author of numerous books on workshop practice, including Metal Lathe for Home Machinists, The Metalworker's Workshop for Home Machinists, Milling for Home Machinists, and The Milling Machine for Home Machinists.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 An introduction to Dividing 9

Chapter 2 The Machinery. Discusses the major items of equipment, Dividing heads, Rotary tables, Indexers, etc. 12

Chapter 3 The Methods. Explains how to use the equipment in Chapter Two to achieve the required result. Also explains though how even complex dividing can be achieved using no other equipment than that normally found in the workshop, typically the lathe and milling machine. 18

Chapter 4 The Mathematics. While the tables provided with a dividing head, or those published in this book, will provide the information for most applications, occasionally recourse to calculation may be necessary. This chapter explains the process, fortunately, the mathematics is not complex. 32

Chapter 5 Holes on a Pitch Circle Diameter (PCD) Explains the mathematics for placing holes on a PCD using a milling machine's X and Y table movements and their calibrated leadscrew dials. Also shows how using a computer spread sheet program can be used to limit considerably the work involved. 38

Chapter 6 Shop Made Simple Dividing Devices. Some simple devices that will enable dividing activities without the need for a dividing head. 50

Chapter 7 Shop Made Basic Dividing Head. A simple dividing head that is easy to construct, and for most, will be adequate for all the dividing tasks required in the workshop. 58

Chapter 8 Shop Made Full Function Dividing Head. A dividing head that is more adaptable than a commercially available semi-universal head and providing a wider range of divisions. It is not over complex to make and would be a very satisfying project to complete. 71

Chapter 9 Shop Made Lining Tool. Engraving a dial with its different length lines is made easy with this lining tool. It is also an interesting project to construct. 82

Chapter 10 Prime Numbers. Prime numbers and their uses explained and listed. 90

Chapter 11 Tables. Tables for a wide range of dividing head ratios and division plate hole numbers are included. These should make the need for calculation a rare occurrence. 98