Group Project: Dividing Head - The Build

[Shotgun]

@Shotgun a little off topic for a second but would one of those motors suffice for a belt sander? Im still looking for a motor.

They'd be excellent for a belt sander. Better than for a mill actually. I wouldn't invest in a $150 controller for that though. one of the $20, 10KW SCR controllers would work just fine for that application.

 

[erikmannie]

Those threads look very nice.

What material are you cutting?

12L14. I can actually do a lot better than that, but not when my mother is looking over my shoulder & waiting for the grand finale.

After step drilling up to it, I used a 3/4” (MT3) taper shank drill to drill all the way to the bottom. The drill was barely long enough.

 

[Brento]

That looks awesome. Im making headway in my garage with the machines. I also found out my mill has a vfd for the motor! No belt swapping!

 

[erikmannie]

Here is the back end where I had to dial in the 6.125” OAL after my slightly imperfect parting job. I also had to chamfer the inside of the .75” through hole.

This is ready to ship! On to spindle #2.





I will be able to make one spindle per week.

 

[erikmannie]

This is as far as I got on the second spindle; I got these two diameters to specifications.

This spindle has gone very smoothly so far, and I have decided to end this weekend fun/work on a high note.

 

[rwm]

That is a very nice surface finish. What insert are you using? Or is it HSS?
Robert

 

[erikmannie]

That is a very nice surface finish. What insert are you using? Or is it HSS?
Robert

I definitely mix and match HSS & carbide. Honestly, sometimes I just grab whatever is closest to me.

Those 2.000” & 1.500” diameters were done with HSS. I made ten .025” passes for the 1.500”. The feed was like .007”/rev so I was there for a while.

 

[rwm]

I'm gonna grind some HSS and see how it goes.
Robert

 

[ErichKeane]

Spent some time on the shaft today. Ruined another attempt at the worm gear(ended up moving I'm the 3 jaw and chowdered it up).

2nd worm gear is right on book (plus a little wiggle from there, since the hob seems oversized).

Spent some time turning down the .561 diameter, though very much not a fan of the +0/-.002 dimension here as well took a lot of patience here but ended up right on.







Next I started on the other end. The compounding length dimensions were a little annoying, since the only way to measure was with a 1" dial!

I had to grind a tool for the .062 relief, which took a while

I ended up spending some time trying to grind an offset thread cutter as well, but I'm not sure I like it... I might have to suck it up and do this thread with a die.

 

[Shotgun]

Looking good, @ErichKeane . One of the benefits of this group project that I didn't expect: You have to make the same part several times, so you get a chance to improve each time. Usually, the stuff I do is a one off, and I won't do a second unless I REALLY screw it up.

I got the lightening hole drilled in the second base today. Placed perfectly, and I cleaned it up with the boring bar. I bought a carbide hole-saw to cut that hole. My recommendation on these is to save your money. I cut through ONE 3/4" plate. The finish was worse than the Lenox bi-metal hole saw, and half the carbide teeth are gone.

On a better note, I am ecstatic with the 3Hp motor. I was having to be really careful with my speed and feeds so as not to overtax the mill. Now, I'm just powering right through stuff. Speed is increasing.