Simple lathe mandrel dividing

[olderdan]

When you only need to make spanner flats or a hex on a part it is not worth while setting up a geared dividing head for the task.
Since I have divided my chuck backplates by 60 indexes, a simple indent is all that is needed, this bolts to the lathe bed with a springy arm with an indent and is quick and easy to use.
Also handy for drilling radial holes etc using my drill / mill spindle.
Base and clamp is alloy and the arm is s/steel (part of a UPVC window hinge).
Shown is a typical use for this in making a motorcycle steering stem nut.

[PJs]

Nice simple to make idea Olderdan! Thanks for sharing it with us. ~PJ

[DIYer]

Thanks olderdan! We've added your Dividing Indent Tool to our Lathe Accessories category,
as well as to your builder page: olderdan's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Dividing Indent Tool by olderdan

tags: measurement, divider

[Jon]

Congratulations olderdan - your Dividing Indent Tool is the Tool of the Week!

Interesting tool, and I don't know if we've seen one like it yet. Some of the nicer tools that have been posted this week include: a Stubby Trailer Receiver Ball by Frank S, a Cup Hook Driver by mklotz, a Spinner also by mklotz, and a Small Wood Lathe by rep, last week's winner. Your TRV Radiator Tool was clever too. Also of note is this Tapping Stand by DonRecardo, from a design in Metaler's book.

You'll be receiving a $25 online gift card, in your choice of Amazon, PayPal, Giftrocket, or bitcoin. Please PM me your current email address and gift card choice and I'll get it sent over right away.

More importantly, this is your...

Third Tool of the Week win!

Here are all of your Tool of the Week winning tools:

Tool Sharpener by olderdan

tags: grinder, sharpening, dial indicator

Lathe Milling Table by olderdan

tags: milling, lathe, table

Dividing Indent Tool by olderdan

tags: measurement, divider

You're in good company with these other 10 winners of the 3-Time Tool of the Week award: rossbotics, mr95gst, Paul Jones, Christophe Mineau, immortalx, scorch, Brendon, Frank S, mklotz, and Vyacheslav.Nevolya (all award winners are listed here).

We've added the bronze wrench-on-pedestal award to your postbit beneath your avatar:



Congrats again and nice job!

[jjr2001]

I like your back plate mode and indexer arm. Very quick to get it into action. It is on my ToDo list.

Cheers, JR

[WmRMeyers]

Now I have to figure out how to divide & drill the edges of my chuck backplate. You stinker, you! Another item for my to-do list!

Thanks!

Bill

[mklotz]

Now I have to figure out how to divide & drill the edges of my chuck backplate. ...

Does your lathe have change gears? If so, glue one to your backplate and rig a temporary detent (chicken-egg thing) with which to index off it.

[WmRMeyers]

Does your lathe have change gears? If so, glue one to your backplate and rig a temporary detent (chicken-egg thing) with which to index off it.

Actually, IIRC, on the Atlas, the bull gear has indexing holes, and a pin, come to think of it. And I can clamp the other chucks for the other lathes on a end mill holder that fits in that lathe, and make it work for all four of the lathes I currently own... You're not helping, Marv!

[mklotz]

Actually, IIRC, on the Atlas, the bull gear has indexing holes, and a pin, come to think of it. And I can clamp the other chucks for the other lathes on a end mill holder that fits in that lathe, and make it work for all four of the lathes I currently own... You're not helping, Marv!

OK, allow me to not help a bit more...

You'll need to drill two circles of holes:

60 holes for maximum number of nice factors: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, ...

100 holes for dividing dials and such: 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, ...

[WmRMeyers]

OK, allow me to not help a bit more...

You'll need to drill two circles of holes:

60 holes for maximum number of nice factors: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, ...

100 holes for dividing dials and such: 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, ...

100 holes will be a lot harder to do, IIRC, as the bull gear is has 60 holes. I am planning on printing a 100-tooth Module 1 gear for the mini-lathe. That should help me. I found a 3" dividing head tailstock on ebay for about $25, and have a 3" rotary table that I'd have to block up some to match. I'll have to see if I can ever get to the point where I'm making stuff instead of trying to clean up and arrange my shop. Maybe I need to just go ahead and make a set of dividing centers that uses gears for the indexing. I won't cry about that, as it was already on my list.

Bill