Which dividing head

[Larry$]

I've got a BS-1, Import, it is quite nice. I've never used it in the straight up configuration. I'd guess that if it was used that way it would normally be with the chuck mounted. That takes a lot of Z! If you think you are going to do spiral cuts then the universal head is your choice. Complicated - time consuming to set up!
My BS-1 isn't overly heavy even with the 6" chuck mounted. When set up for making Spur gears, dead centers are used on both ends.
The only thing I don't like on my BS-1 is the handle with the spring powered pin to fit in the indexing plates. When turning the handle through several rotations it wants to let go of the index pin. Someday I'll fix that. Or learn how to properly use it!

 

[Winegrower]

How often have you had a project where the BS-0 was too small?

That has not yet occurred. I think reversing the chuck jaws and if needed setting the head on a riser block it would handle anything I could reasonably anticipate.

 

[Aaron_W]

How often have you had a project where the BS-0 was too small?

The difference between the BS0 and BS1 is really not that great, only about 1". 3-15/16" vs 5" center height, and a 5" chuck vs 6" chuck. BS2 is a much bigger jump coming with an 8" chuck.

It seems to me with the typical dividing head projecs the smaller size of the BS0 is more likely to be a plus than the greater capacity of BS1 on a machine where the BS1 might be pushing the limits.

 

[verbotenwhisky]

The difference between the BS0 and BS1 is really not that great, only about 1". 3-15/16" vs 5" center height, and a 5" chuck vs 6" chuck. BS2 is a much bigger jump coming with an 8" chuck.

It seems to me with the typical dividing head projecs the smaller size of the BS0 is more likely to be a plus than the greater capacity of BS1 on a machine where the BS1 might be pushing the limits.

It really depends upon your machine as well. My machine has 22" clear from spindle nub to table at its max adjustment so when I angle the head up I am not worried about clearance, If you machine has 14 to 16 inch max clearance A BS2 will likely be too large. Remember its not just about the head turning horizontally the head also rotates up in various angles up to to 90 degrees vertical.

 

[Aaron_W]

It really depends upon your machine as well. My machine has 22" clear from spindle nub to table at its max adjustment so when I angle the head up I am not worried about clearance, If you machine has 14 to 16 inch max clearance A BS2 will likely be too large. Remember its not just about the head turning horizontally the head also rotates up in various angles up to to 90 degrees vertical.

Right, that is why I was thinking, if there is any question that BS1 is too big, then that extra inch is more likely create a problem, than the BS0 not being enough.

I have 16" under the spindle of my Clausing mill, so the BS0 fits fine in the horizontal position, but I think even it would be getting tight if I rotated the chuck to the full 90 degree vertical position.

 

[verbotenwhisky]

Right, that is why I was thinking, if there is any question that BS1 is too big, then that extra inch is more likely create a problem, than the BS0 not being enough.

I have 16" under the spindle of my Clausing mill, so the BS0 fits fine in the horizontal position, but I think even it would be getting tight if I rotated the chuck to the full 90 degree vertical position.

To add some scale for those debating the question, back up and look at the picture I took f my BS-2 and look at the mill table it is setting on, that table is 40" wide end to end (x-axis) and 9" deep front to back (y-axis); now use that as perspective.

 

[Larry$]

If you have a rotary table it unlikely that you will use an indexing head in the straight up position. If you are trying to make approximations of bevel gears maybe almost. Expanding mandrels would be a nice accessory to either buy or make.