Hobnail spreadsheet software for gear trains

[Adam HarrisParticipant @adamharris13683]

The late John Stevenson distributed this excel spreadsheet software “Hobnail” free to those interested. Originally built by Gary Evams (does not seem active on the forum), it takes inputs of which change gears you have and spits out the required gear train for the job. I am wondering if anyone has it and would they be kind enough to send me a copy. I have messaged Gary but no answer. Many thanks for any help. Adam

[DC31kParticipant @dc31k]

Do you particularly need a stand alone spreadsheet?

There are a few more modern alternatives.

Ride the Gear Train software (https://ridethegeartrain.com/) does all sorts of things.

Evolvent Design has some good stuff (https://evolventdesign.com/pages/calculators). Change gears are near the bottom on the left.

This one is also good (http://ninoslavp.users.sbb.rs/WRI_en.html) You can look up where the .rs domain is located (Serbia).

This, from Evolvent, is interesting side reading on the maths involved (https://www.patreon.com/posts/solving-gear-for-87487774). As well as the Pfauter book mentioned, there is a Barber Colemn one and another called 14000 gear ratios by Ray Page.

Another survey of the maths: https://www.geartechnology.com/ext/resources/issues/0884x/orthwein.pdf

Another change gear program here: https://conradhoffman.com/chsw.htm

More: https://www.globalspec.com/reference/68675/203279/part-1-use-of-tables-for-simplified-change-gear-calculations

Brocot tables here: https://locomat.loria.fr/merritt1947/merritt1947doc2.pdf

[Adam HarrisParticipant @adamharris13683]

Thanks! I will check those out. John Stevenson referred to the Hobnail in his John F’s Workshop – Making Helical Gears.

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