Thanks swarf thats what i wanted to know so i can grind up a cutting tool .
I thought it odd for it to be a UNF thread but that was all i could find on the internet that matched the thread pitch .
I will still make mandrel for this because it is a handy thing to have as i can set it up on my lathe to machine other items for the dividing head in the future or it can be used as a master thread gauge to check any female threads i need to make for anything else i wish to screw onto the dividing head .
The dividing head will be used for making gears and to mark out dials etc so the cutting forces will be at 90 degrees to the spindle thread but i may include a locking system just for piece of mind .
I have a rotary table that i use for machining slots , radii etc and the chuck is bolted to a mounting plate so it cannot come loose .
Thanks to all for the replies .
Ian .