Mike,

I don't think they sell Mazak as such ... but this is a very good place to look for an alternative:

http://www.tiranti.co.uk/subdivision_product_list.asp?Content=White+Metal+%2F+Tin+Alloys&Subcategory=63&Subdivision=

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 13/04/2012 19:02:18

John,

This seems a good time to share my favourite quotation.

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 08/04/2012 21:32:21

Chris,

I don't know if it's appropriate to the size and shape of your components, but; the traditional clockmaker's technique for Blueing only requires heat.

It is often convenient to support the components in a block of brass, or on a tray of brass filings.

Joy of joys! ... a Hot-Air Gun, as used for paint-stripping, is often adequate as a heat source.

MichaelG.

http://www.bhi.co.uk/aHints/bluing.html

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 08/04/2012 11:50:43

"Back then" they did not have the luxury of stock brass sheet.

Brass was cast; then hammered and filed to thickness.

... humbling isn't it.

MichaelG.

Stephen,

You would probably enjoy a visit to Upton Hall http://www.bhi.co.uk/museum.html

It's near Newark, and Headquarters of the British Horological Institute.

MichaelG.

David,

That's a great help, thank you.

I have just extracted the few lines of html that produce this search box, and can now run it stand-alone.

... learning all the time.

MichaelG.

Sid,

Thanks for the thoughts ... although what you suggest does rather spoil the "feel" of interacting with the device.

Whilst it is most unlikely that any malicious code would be introduced into the iOS, there is a distinct possibility of one being redirected to a site that one would rather not visit. [Paranoid ... Moi ?]

My ultimate safety check would be to look at the source code for the page [*] ... but that really does ruin the intuitive experience!

MichaelG.

[*] using this clumsily named, but extremely clever, App

HTML5, CSS, JavaScript Snippet Editor

Please Note: I have no connection with Angel Software Studio

CB and Sid,

Thanks for the helpful comments.

It's not your problem, Sid; but I will just mention that the iPad [which I prefer to use for browsing] does not do hovering ... an inevitable consequence of the touch screen.

MichaelG.

Terry,

You're welcome ... it's good to find another Ramsden appreciator.

MichaelG.

Les,

Thanks for the advice ... I will try that next time.

Somewhat reluctantly however; as I generally prefer to see hyperlinks disclosed in full, for the sake of security.

​MichaelG.

Gordon,

NEMA specifies the "frame size" of a motor [typically, but not exclusively, a Stepper Motor].

23 is the size commonly used by hobbyists, for CNC conversions.

Datasheets and Engineering Drawings typically show rectangular coordinates for the four mounting holes. ... and the dimensions are tricky, whether specified in inches or mm.

The reason being that the mounting was DESIGNED in fractional inches, with the holes on a pitch circle.

MichaelG.

Bazyle,

You say "Enumerating the specific problem would just produce pointless instruction on how to use a dividing head."

I must disagree; but it is your perogative to maintain a position of "non-disclosure" if you wish. However; in the absence of any information about the component, we are all guessing.

My reference to the NEMA 23 motor was meant as a very strong hint towards what I suspect to be the underlying reasons for the "strange" [albeit undisclosed] dimensions that you found.

A cryptic question deserves a cryptic answer.

MichaelG.

For info ...

I have just looked at the html for the page

That hyperlink in my previous post is at least 12 characters too long for the layout.

Could the site developers please look at allowing word-wrap for hyperlinks?

MichaelG.

Ian,

If you decide to go the Excel route; this looks a good place to start

http://www.ameng.com.au/files/dividing%20head%20calculator%2040%20to%201%20ratio.xls

it is currently set for 40:1 and is protected ... but the instructions for changing the ratio are included.

MichaelG.

I see that the Adverts are intruding again ... Apologies if I caused that by pasting a long hyperlink.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 04/04/2012 08:46:42

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 04/04/2012 08:51:21

Bazyle,

To this reader at least; your last posting seems rather contrary.

We still don't know the size & shape of the component, the number of holes, or the quantity in which it was to be made. All of these are relevant to the discussion ... so why the secrecy?

One point worth making: There is nothing special about "round figures in tenths of thousandths of inches [or mm]" ... there are plenty of base-units to choose from; fractions are just as valid as decimals; and polar co-ordinates are as valid as rectangular.

Consider the mounting-hole-pattern typically quoted for a NEMA 23 motor.

MichaelG.

Bazyle,

Returning to your original question

Was there a specific item that you had in mind?

MichaelG.

John,

Yes, you are right ... the problems were substantially solved.

What is interesting, and a little depressing, is how much of that knowledge has since been forgotten or ignored. That's why, every once in a while, we need to dig through the history.

MichaelG.

Terry,

The full text of Jesse Ramsden's paper is available here: http:// http://www.fer3.com/arc/imgx/Text.pdf

and an excellent commentary, here: http://www.fer3.com/arc/imgx/Commentary-on-Jesse-Ramsdens.pdf

Both thanks to the expert Mr Morris

http://sextantbook.com/category/chasing-tenths-of-an-arcminute/

MichaelG.

John,

Probably because it is interesting!

Please feel free to ignore my next post, where I shall reply to Terry regarding Jesse Ramsden [the 18th century Pioneer].

MichaelG

Terry,

If you can find it ... "The Whitworth Measuring Machine" by Goodeve and Shelley is well worth reading.

Edited By David Clark 1 on 03/04/2012 08:10:43