Has anyone made cutters for making clock gears?

[Nelson]

This should perhaps be in Horology or Tools, but I eventually want to make gears for antique clocks that I collect to repair them.

There is a good video by WR Smith that I need to rent from www.Smartflix.com, and a couple of good books that I have (one by Malcolm Wild) but not perused yet.

So my question is: Has anyone MADE cutters (either hobs or flycutters) to make clock gears? [the ready made gears, involute, whatever that is, are extremely expensive]. If so, can you outline or detail how you did it?

Thanks!

+#$

Nelson

 

[pjf134]

Nelson,
There are many clock forums out there, maybe would get a better responce from them. I am not into clocks, but do have a few of them, mantle, co co's and grandfather. I also would like to get some info of them for repair if the need arises. Try this site to see if they can help. http://www.discoverclocks.com/clock_forum.html. I have been looking for info on mine, but not too much luck on one of them. The clock doctor that works on the one co co said he will buy it if it was for sale, he really liked that one and he will do house call on that one only. Good luck on your quest and let us know what you find, since some clock guys are members here.
Paul

 

[Highpower]

I would jump on that offer if I were you Nelson!

I needed a small pinion cutter and the cheapest I could find one was in the UK for $50!

 

[Tony Wells]

If Nelson happens to pass that offer up, I may be interested in buying them, Bill. I have a hankering to build some timepieces. Need to start gathering tooling.

 

[Nelson]

author=Bill Gruby link=topic=3074.msg21758#msg21758 date=1313087292
You are welcome to these Nelson if you think you can use then. Two are for pinion gears. The one to the left is marked No. 3 48DP 35 to 54 tooth Topping. Say the word and they are yours. I have no use for them they came with my Jewelers Lathe. I know they are not used there. LOL

"Bill Gruby"

Bill,

I sure appreciate that and will of course take them.


Nelson

 

[Nelson]

author=Tony Wells link=topic=3074.msg21921#msg21921 date=1313201454
If Nelson happens to pass that offer up, I may be interested in buying them, Bill. I have a hankering to build some timepieces. Need to start gathering tooling.

Tony,

I will take them as per Bill's kind offer and loan whatever you need to you when you are ready. I would appreciate if you could take some photos or video of the setup and cutting (especially if you use a dividing head) to post on here.

Nelson

 

[Tony Wells]

Be more than happy to, Nelson. I don't have means to do video, but stills I can certainly do.

Very gracious offer, and I'll let you know when I am ready to do some gearcutting.

 

[Nelson]

author=pjf134 link=topic=3074.msg21752#msg21752 date=1313081791
Nelson,
There are many clock forums out there, maybe would get a better responce from them. I am not into
clocks, but do have a few of them, mantle, co co's and grandfather. I also would like to get some info of them for repair if the need arises. Try this site to see if they can help. http://www.discoverclocks.com/clock_forum.html. I have been looking for info on mine, but not too much
luck on one of them. The clock doctor that works on the one co co said he will buy it if it was for sale, he really liked that one and he will do house call on that one only. Good luck on your quest and let us know what you find, since some clock guys are members here.
Paul

I'm a collector, not so much a repairer. I have bought and rented (Smartflix) the repair videos. Used to belong to NAWCC, but gave up. The repairers around here don't want to teach, and educate potential competitors. They have a school in Pa., but with work and family, that isn't practical. They do rent DVDs to members.

I have the WR Smith video on cutting clock gears on order to borrow from Smartflix. However, he uses modified mini lathes and cutter heads rather than what most of us gave.

I need a video on cutting clock gears on a small horizontal mill.

Nelson





Not many videos on gearcutting.

 

[cyrusb]

I have made many epicyloidal gear cutters .4 and .8 module in particular. The smith video or anything by him will really help. It's a challenge at first, particularly the heat treating. When cutting leaded ingravers brass (for the wheels)it is forgiving, but cutting steel pinions is the real test of how well the cutters made. I personally do not cut steel pinnions, opting for latern pinnions.

 

[Nelson]

I will have to get myself out to Bellport to watch you do it.

As I said, other than the WR Smith video there aren't many other sources of instruction on this.

I know there are a few guys who cut gears for clocks, and some repairers buy them from these guys and pass on the costs. It isn't cheap. A mainspring barrel gear can run you at least $100.

I bought the dividing heads for the Burke #4 and Van Norman #12 thinking to use these machines to cut small and larger clock gears respectively.

Now I am hoping to get the machines hooked up and learn how to do it.


Nelson