cutting gears

[gramps51]

(07-07-2012, 10:59 PM)dallen Wrote:

(07-07-2012, 10:43 AM)Sunset Machine Wrote: How'd you do for precision? Caliper across a few teeth in several places..

Lots of advantages doing these between centers. There's even a "re-do" possible, the drive dog is somewhat adjustable (opposing screws) and using it will enable you to remount the blank and recut teeth a little deeper if need be. Especially handy for recutting teeth damaged by another gear, or fixing broken teeth. I generally use a 1" x 6" round bar as an arbor, turned, centered and threaded to fit, preferring a shoulder for the blank to rest against and a large nut to hold 'er good.

I have a Chinese lathe made about 5 years ago that cuts a taper I can't make go away!!! My 70 year old Atlas is way more accurate. Now that my MFB is rebuilt I plan to do some gears so your experiences are a good learning tool for me and for you too I'm sure.

I didn't check to see if they came out right due to noticing that I was cutting them about a 80 thousands off of center.

I would make arbors that way but my lathe has a habit of cutting a slight taper which I have as yet get adjusted out, but the thing was made like 20 years ago in China and was treated really bad before I got it, hoping to get a new one pretty soon. But I do have a couple tapered arbors ordered that will be here in a couple days.

any hints, or tips that will help keep me on the straight and narrow of gear cutting will be listened