Help identifying this please

[studysession]

The attached picture is someone cutting a gear on the mill.

What is the tool called that is being used to hold the gear? And where can I get one?

Thanks for the help!

[wms]

That would be an Indexing head...you can get them from most any tooling supply house. MSC, Enco, and many more.

[studysession]

Thanks - do any of those places have a website so I can see how much they are? I am new to this and want to get one just like in the picture.

Thanks again.

[studysession]

I did some searches on Google and I can find information on indexing heads but not places that sell them.

Any idea of costs??? I am hoping that it is affordable.

Thanks again!

[Al_The_Man]

I think the name is also dividing head here is a link to make your own http://www.atmsite.org/contrib/JSAPP...e/divhead.html
Al

[wms]

Also called a Dividing Head. Try a google with "Dividing heads"

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=203-
4000&PMPXNO=953522&PARTPG=INLMK3

Although the one at this link may be bigger than you need.

[wms]

Sorry Al got there before me..should have told you about Dividing head in first post. Me bad.

[studysession]

Thanks - I do not think I am at the point where I can make one yet. I just want to buy the finished product of whatis in the picture I posted.

Any help is appreciated.

[mtechserv]

These are typically referred to as an indexing head or dividing head. There are many machining supply companies in the US that sell these. Most of the new models are manufactured in the far east. I've never used any of the far east manufactured units, so I'm not sure of the quality.
Here is a link to MSC, a large industrial supply company in the US.
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...PMPXNO=1656786

That web page shows a typical dividing head. Prices may vary depending on what size you decide to buy.

You could also search ebay for new or used dividing heads. There is usually several on there at any given time.

[studysession]

Thanks for the replies!

Looks like there are different kinds:
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...PMPXNO=1795236

How do I tell which one I need? Have any links to the ones made in the far east? I searched EBay and from what I can see. There are not to many to choose from.

[studysession]

OK - did another search on EBay and instead of indexing head I put in dividing head and had better luck. Seems like there are many different kinds. How do I tell which is the correct one I need?

I want to make 48 pitch and Mod-1 pitch gears. Thanks!

[Ken_Shea]

Studysession, the unit you link to at MSC is the import version, a nice size and that it can be rotated up or down could be useful. These are available from Enco for $245 and is the unit Ward linked to I think. Since MSC and Enco are both owned by the same company, likely it is the same unit. Most of us hobby machinist will have to purchase the import versions as the cost difference is just too great. The high quality version are also very heavy, many over a 100 pounds (this is good). The height would control the maximum diameter gear you could machine, and I would suspect that it will index any number of teeth you or I could ever imagine needing.
The geometry of the gear you are needing to cut is controlled by the gear cutter and not the dividing head, the dividing head provides for precise indexing between each gear tooth.