Vn Dividing Head Index Assembly

Daryl,

Thank you for the docs. these are a nice addition to the communal archive. My Universal High Speed head is for a VN12, and is much different than this one for the 22L. I will review in more detail and hopefully glean something.
Ron

I have a silly question. How does the universal high speed head differ from the subhead and normal cutting head that comes with the #12?

I have never seen it, and only saw the subhead on Ebay once.

I believe the high speed attachment increases the spindle speed by 3. I've only seen pics and read some lit.
VN only pivot in the Y direction. The subhead allows for pivot in the X direction.
Paired with a horizontal or vertical dividing head and/or a universal table you get a trigonometry challenge which I will find an overwhelming challenge.
Paired with a gearbox attached to the DH, you can supposedly make all kinds of helical gears.
I'm sincerely looking forward to my first set-up!

Yeah, I'm the guy who struggles with basic math.

Daryl
MN

The two accessory catalog copies I have acquired from the internet list different options, and are not dated.

I believe that the speed increase for the Universal High Speed (UHS) head is 5:3, or 1.66 times the input. The UHS has 2 degrees of freedom and coupled with the cutterhead, gives 3 degrees of freedom. As Daryl says, coupled with the 10" horizontal indexer and the gearbox, spiral gears are possible, according to the accessory catalogs. The UHS also has an adjustable spindle, giving 2.5 inches of travel. There are different UHS models for the various mill model numbers.

There are two 10" indexers available for the VN mills, but one accessory catalog says only the horizontal one is good for all models, including the 12. The 10" Vertical index is good for all models Except the No.6, No.12, and No.16. When provided for a No. 6, 12, or 16, the spindle of the horizontal indexer is ground with VN "C" taper, same as the machine. Otherwise it is the VN #2 taper.
A second accessory catalog only discusses the NEW 10" Universal Spiral Index Center, with the VN "C" taper for the No.s 6 & 12, OR 112 collets for the No.s 22 & 32.
So, looks like a couple different versions out there.

The Universal Subhead mounts to the cutterhead and adds one additional degree of freedom, but has no speed increase.

The Gear Type High Speed attachment mounts to the cutterhead and gives a 3 to 1 speed increase.

There is also the Motor Driven High Speed Attachment used on the No.s 6, 12, 16 that replaces the normal cutterhead and has an electric motor to drive the spindle. Other catalog only lists 6 & 12.

Ron
P.S.
If someone has a dog plate for the 7 1/2" indexer, a dimensioned sketch would be nice to post, so those of us without one could make one.

Also, I could use some dimensions for the UHS spindle adjust handle and indicator, since mine is missing.

reh,
Sorry I can't help you with the 7.5"DH or the UHS.

If anyone needs measurements:
I've got a VN6 with optical X axis vernier scale.
The 22LU (slowly being reassembled) and a 22 subhead (no drawbar).
A VN 10inch swivel DH with all the plates, and most of the gears.
I really would like carefully measure gearbox shaft hole locations and shaft sizes.

Daryl
MN

I think the build year on my 22L is 1954, it has the NMTB50 spindle and came with the dividing head gear box but only 2 gears. I'll measure the shaft hole locations and shaft sizes. I'll try to get to it within a week or two, I'm swamped right now and haven't been able to play in the shop.
The 10" dividing head that I located also has the 50 taper.

Daryl, what size does your dividing head have? What about the 22 subhead?

Mike

Reeltor, where you been? I've done all but send flowers and chocolate.
Next week is more than good enough.
Reality is that I'm not gonna get to the gearbox until next spring.

The 22LU takes a BS13 taper.
I've got an adapter to VN 2 collets, and a MT3 adapter.
I was turning a BS13-11 adapter for the many BS 11 arbors I have. I'm not clear on all the trepidation over the BS13 tapers.
The subhead takes the VN 2 collet, of which I have an array. I gotta make a drawbar for the subhead.
Arrgh. More shop time!
Fortunately, thanks to stonehands (HM member) I've got a 22LU drawbar.

I don't know what the 10inch VN Vertical DH takes, she has what I think is a factory 3jaw and she is so perfectly aligned I haven't wanted to mess with it.

Daryl
MN

Daryl,

I haven't forgotten about mapping out hole and shaft locations on the DH gear box. Haven't been in the shop since the beginning of Sept. I hope to get to it this week

Mike

Completely understood, I'm hoping to get something done, someday, eventually.
However, if the gearbox gets to lonely send it my way I'll try to work something out.
Reality, I'm hoping to at least make a banjo. Although, guards such as your gearbox has would be best.
Unfortunately, my VN22LU has been on hold as I figure out how to cut the bevel gears for the powerfeed on my Boye&Emmes.
Do you have all the gears for your VN?
I'm going to need to make a few to make the gears missing out of my change gears.

Daryl
MN

Daryl,
Sorry, I've grown attached to the gearbox , now that I have the DH to go with it I can make any gears to go with it. Nothing wrong with using the banjo, VN did sell them. No, only a few gears came already attached in the box. The Ebay seller who has a complete set of gears is tempting me; but I can't justify spending $250 on the set. It's still available as a buy it now listing
Ebay title
26-2025 1 1/8" Van Norman Gear Set with Box
I'm feeling a bit better, I'll try to get you some measurements for you.