Wheel cutting

[DAVID POWELL 4Participant @davidpowell4]

Doing some research before I start my first clock and still trying to get my head around the mathematics

First question

Is the ‘depth of cut the same as the height of the tooth’. I thought it would have been but reading some threads on this web it might not be.

 

Second. Can DP cutters be used to cut clock wheels. When reading up on it, it seems Module’s are always quoted when referring to clocks.

 

[DAVID POWELL 4Participant @davidpowell4]

Depth of cut

[adyParticipant @ady]

“AW Marshall. gear wheels and gear cutting” is a very useful starter for a newbie.

Not too technical but still explains things well and for less than a fiver is a bargain.

Edited By ady on 03/11/2011 23:47:52

[adyParticipant @ady]

If you’re going to really go for it as far as the mathematics is concerned there are various dynamic visual packages around which can save you a lot of the basic grind.

 

There are some pretty advanced calculators out there which can do both geometry and apply technical formulas as a drawing is changed.

Some are so good they are even banned from advanced examinations.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casio_ClassPad_300

No doubt there are various software packages for desktop pooters out there too

The Classpad has a free 30 day download for desktop computers

 

After being set up for a problem they take the grind out of the maths, allowing you to focus on the subject matter

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

HPC’s catalogue gives a good idea of all the basic formula needed including how the “whole depth” is calculated.

 

J

[DAVID POWELL 4Participant @davidpowell4]

Thanks for all the help……sent for Marshalls book and down loaded HPC’s catalogue. The Casio tool looks too heavy for me……….unless I enrol in a night school HMMMMM

 

DAve

[NilochParticipant @niloch]

The mathematics of depth of cut in horology used to bother me as well but the best advice has already been given you in this post (to which you also contributed) by kneedeepinswarf’s final paragraph. I have cut 290 teeth on Wilding’s large wheel skeleton clock perfectly successfully using the blueing of the edge method as described.

[DAVID POWELL 4Participant @davidpowell4]

Nicol

It was your original thread that started me off, assuming you are the same Nicol.

 

Anyway take me out of my grief.

 

How did you calculate the diameter of the blank you used for your 290 tooth wheel?

 

What cutter did you use?

 

Why did you choose that cutter?

 

Dave

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Have a look here Wheel cutting info

 

 

Martin.

[DAVID POWELL 4Participant @davidpowell4]

Thanks blowlamp……..I alreay have. What’s a ‘leaf’

 

Dave

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

David.

 

A leaf is a clockmaker’s term for the tooth of a pinion.

 

 

Martin.

[NilochParticipant @niloch]

Well, I’m not Nicol but if I may be allowed to interject just to say that, I guess I’m not on your wavelength at all. If you are working not only from a drawing but a detailed construction manual from an eminent horologist (John Wilding, CBE), why do you need to calculate anything??

 

The drawing clearly says 8.64″ dia. for the main wheel and to use a .75 module cutter, that’s good enough for me. I just don’t see why I would want to carry out any calculations when the information is there in front of me.

 

Similarly if I were building a locomotive to a reliable published design I would not feel that I would need to calculate very many dimensions at all.

[NilochParticipant @niloch]

You may find the following helpful; by the way, I’m a beginner too.

 

John Wilding construction manuals

 

Clock-making materials and more books

 

Specialist, traditional clock-making tools and an important book

Edited By Niloch on 07/11/2011 22:46:45

[DAVID POWELL 4Participant @davidpowell4]

Niloch

 

You are absolutely right. Been giving this some thought since last post. I’ve been ‘hung up’ on determining the diameter of the blank, but it’s the correct DP or module cutter that needs to be determined first, then the size of the blank can be calculated. Chapter 3 of Ivan Law’s book on gear cutting explained this to me.

 

It is most likely that any clock or machine I ever make will be to a set of plans where all the information is given. (although it is always worth checking as even in this forum at least 2 respondents contradicted Mr Wilding’s calculations).

 

So thank you all for your help and the many useful links that have been supplied.

QED

 

Dave

 

 

[NilochParticipant @niloch]

Every possible good fortune and success in your horological endeavours Dave. Us beginners might benefit from comparing notes, although, fuel prices preclude much travelling to do so. I don’t suppose you live in Hampshire do you?

[DAVID POWELL 4Participant @davidpowell4]

No South Wales, sorry.

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