What do I have here?

[N8PDX]

I got this as part of an auction lot, and I can’t identify it’s purpose. It’s like a lathe cross slide with the addition of a bevel gear in the middle that rotates the perpendicular post in time with the lead screw. When the lead screw handle is turned once, the slide advances and the post/shaft makes one rotation. The collar graduations show linear travel (0.125” per rotation). The reference line on the collar is located such that I think the post would be pointing away from the operator. Any guesses?

 

[Ischgl99]

That looks like it would be used to make spiral face grooves, just like the scroll on a three jaw chuck, or a spiral cam.

 

[benmychree]

It is a tool slide off of a shaper that had automatic down feed.

 

[Dhal22]

That would be fun to clean up and refresh.

 

[GeneT45]

It is a tool slide off of a shaper that had automatic down feed.

Why would the center post rotate? My Cinci has auto downfeed - but nothing that moves as described.
GsT

 

[benmychree]

How else would auto downfeed be driven?

 

[GeneT45]

How else would auto downfeed be driven?

Upon further inspection I may have been looking at it 'backwards' - that is, as if the clapper were at the end of the rotating post rather than going into the ram. Mine is pawl driven, but if you assume there's a gear (or several) missing from the shaft (to be driven by the pawl) I can see what you're saying.

GsT

 

[benmychree]

Yes, correct! Power downfeed would be nice, my shaper, a Gould & Eberhardt 20-24 full universal does not have power downfeed, but does have power upfeed on the saddle, also with rapid travel; almost as good as power downfeed on the ram, which I would see as more convenient for angular shaping.

 

[N8PDX]

I had to find a video to visualize it, and yes that looks like what I have here - thanks!
The comment about spiral cams gives me an idea of how I might find a use for it.