Hemingway Kits
The Hemingway Toolroom
Work Holding and Positioning
Indexing and Dividing
Versatile Dividing Head and Accessories
Versatile Dividing Head
Ref: HK 15XX
Designed by Mr. G. H. Thomas and described in the M.E. March 1979. All drawings and instructions are included in Mr. Thomas’ book, Workshop Techniques.
Commercial dividing heads often find disfavour among Model Engineers, because they do not always fulfill the varied needs of the smaller workshops.
In this design, consideration has been given not only to the wide range of possible uses of the Versatile Dividing Head but also to the simplification of construction. In this context it may be mentioned that this dividing head generates its own division plates to a very high order of accuracy.
The dimensions are such that all components are machinable on a lathe of minimum 3 ½" centre height, In use it will be mounted principally on the cross slide or vertical slide.
Simple Dividing is by means of a spring loaded plunger engaging any of the 24 holes in the face of the main wheel. Squares, hexagons, keyway cutting and tap fluting will probably be done by this method.
Conventional Dividing is by means of the usual worm and division plate, which now replaces the spring loaded plunger. Both this and the plunger are mounted on a banjo which can be swung around the main casting to the most convenient operating position. The two division plates will allow most divisions used, including angular spacing, to be obtained.
Prime numbers or indeed any possible division outside the range of the two plates are indexed by means of the “Micro-Attachment” giving capabilities down to 1/100th of a degree! Thus a second worm and wheel are attached under the division plate, allowing calculated manual rotation of the division plate, by means of the calibrated knob at the end of the worm shaft. This rotation or correction is done at each step of the dividing.
Once again, please note that the VDH kits arrive WITHOUT drawings and build notes. See our Books & Standard Items Section if you need a copy of "Workshop Techniques" by G H Thomas; 11 chapters of which include all necessary information to both build and use the remarkable VDH.
Versatile Dividing Head - Full Kit
Ref: HK 1500
The Full Kit, contains all material necessary to complete the Versatile Dividing Head, including 2 iron castings, 2 worms, 2 worm wheels, 3 division plate blanks, 33 fasteners, 3 springs, 2 stub drills and 20 different sections of FCMS, PGMS, Brass and Silver Steel Bar.
Price:
£139.95
Versatile Dividing Head - Basic Kit (24 index holes pre-drilled)
Ref: HK 1501
The Basic Kit, contains the material necessary to build the VDH to index solely from the 24 holes that are pre-drilled in the main wheel.
Price:
£73.70
Versatile Dividing Head - "Basic to Full" Upgrade Kit
Ref: HK 1502
The Basic to Full Upgrade Kit, contains the additional material to convert the Basic VDH to the Full VDH.
Price:
£91.15
Versatile Dividing Head - 4" Faceplate
Ref: HK 1510
4" Diameter aluminium face plate casting for the VDH spindle is available to assist drilling the division plate blanks.
Price:
£11.00
Versatile Dividing Head - Essential items ONLY
Ref: HK 1505
Essential items, castings (2), gears (2), worms (2), division plate blanks (3), springs and stub drills. This kit is more suitable for export, where the cost of shipping bar material can out-weigh the actual cost of the material!
Price:
£132.15
Versatile Dividing Head - Milling Kit
Ref: HK 1530
This kit consists of 2 adaptor plates and and a large tailstock to bring the centre height up to 3 1/16". This provides a robust system for the use of the Versatile Dividing Head on the milling machine.
The adaptor plates are 5" wide by 4 1/2" long and can be "tenonned" to the T slots of any milling table to ensure repeatable, parallel set-ups. The kit includes the adaptor plates and tailstock castings, together with all necessary fixings and steel sections.
All drawings and instructions for construction and use are contained in Mr. Thomas’ book, Workshop Techniques.
Price:
£49.80
Versatile Dividing Head - Swivel Base
Ref: HK 1540
With the Versatile Dividing Head mounted on the Swivel Base, angular machining can completed, including the manufacture of dovetail cutters, bevel gears etc.
Designed By Mr. L. Downs, this kit includes the iron casting together with all necessary materials. This kit includes construction notes and a drawing.
Price:
£40.20
