Elliot 3 1/2 dividing head.

Well after making 3 new 26T 16dp gear replacements. Ive finally got the thing back together ,after taking it completely apart.

Just have to figure out how to use it now. Before and after photos.

Only niggle is there is a region of about 10 degrees of a full circle of the spindle that tightens up ,cant figure this out.

Edited By mark smith 20 on 29/12/2016 12:47:33

Nice job Mark! ...a stunning result.

Ed.

Go on! You're kidding us along! The missus went out and bought you a brand spanking new one for crimbo!

Well done, sir!

Thanks, just need to get it all dirty again

Wife wants to know if you'll come and clean our utility room? Now that'd be a real challenge...

Looks a darn sight better than mine after 'restoration'!

Dunno about the tight spot, but mine does the same. It disappears if you ease off on worm engagement, but then it's sloppy elsewhere. Probably slightly uneven wear?

Andrew

My wife always goes on about how i spend so much time polishing my tools and machinery but not enough time around the house tidying up.

I don`t have the option of disengaging the worm , the only thing is the two nuts on the back side of it (one not the original), it seems strange how its only a few degrees . I can turn the handle lots of times before hitting the stiff area.

It must be an area on the spindle ,bore or worm wheel.

.

Beautiful restoration, Mark

Regarding the 10° tight region ... did you solve the mystery of the anti-backlash wormwheel ?

MichaelG.

I decided not to fiddle with it as i have no instructions regarding adjustment.

.

Probably wise, Mark

... but I suspect that adjustment [or readjustment of previous attempts] might be the way to optimise the 'tightness'.

MichaelG.

Hi Michael,

i understand how the two halves of the worm wheel move in opposite directions to take up any backlash but cant understand exactly what each adjusting screw does. Also there is unfortunately no instructions in the manual either . It  was a right pain to replace the spindle due to a spacer washer which kept moving and stopping the spindle going in easily ,so i`m not in too much of a hurry to take it apart again.

One question though are these supposed to be filled with oil ,it mentions it in the manual by removing the name plate but no mention of how much oil(is it really necessary?)

I bought this on ebay from a different seller, just finished cleaning it up and painting it. Does anyone know if its an elliott tail stock?? It looks right and is 3 1/2 ".

Edited By mark smith 20 on 01/01/2017 17:07:42

.

A very sensible and expedient approach, Mark

I would have found myself with yet another pile of bits; pending the discovery of information about the workings of the backlash adjuster ... You, however, have a useable and beautifully painted Dividing Head.

Says it all, really

MichaelG.

I don't know, but it looks similar to mine:

If it's the correct centre height I'd say it's good to go, even if not Elliott.

As to oil, my dividing head has a plate screwed on one side, so if you over fill it the excess spills out. I assume the oil is intended to bathe at least the bottom of the worm and worm wheel. If you're only going to use simple indexing you might get away without oil, or just a little gease. But if you want to use the worm as part of the drive for helical milling then I think a proper oil level would be essential. Otherwise you're going to wear away the precision built into the worm and worm wheel.

Andrew

I think you might have dropped lucky with that tailstock, there is an image of one just like it here.

https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDgwWDY0MA==/z/YxQAAOSwU-pXp6vs/$_86.JPG

It looks just the same as the one in my elliott parts manual as well.

As for lubrication, it just says to change the oilbath oil annually.

Phil

Michael, yes it appears to be working so i cant complain. For around £120 for both head and tailstock from two different sellers including shipping ,i think i got a great deal,especially when compared to over £250 for the smallest Vertex type . I prefer buying old and british anyway.

Andrew, i think i`ll put some oil in anyway and see if it has any effect on that tight spot when revolving the spindle.I have a big container of iso 68 which i bought for my Alexander mill which was advertised as a replacement for the Shell Vitrea 37 which Elliot recommend.

I may of struck lucky with the tailstock as ive just found this photo from an old Gumtree ad. for a 3 1/2 " elliott and it looks identical to mine.

Hi Phil, looks like we were just looking at the same image. It appears that head also only has one dividing plate like mine , must be common for the other one to go a stray!

Edited By mark smith 20 on 01/01/2017 19:08:05

Edited By mark smith 20 on 01/01/2017 19:10:16

Hi,

Ive just got an Elliot 3 1/2” Universal Dividing Head, the uni bit has shed some teeth in the past but not too bothered about that for now.

its obviously been bodged back together in the past so would like to know if any body knows where I might find images, photos or assembly diagrams to make it better.

ps indexing pin won’t pull back on spring any ideas?

cheers Charlie.

Hi,

Sorry to pick up on an old thread, but I have just acquired a 4.75" version of the Victoria dividing head. It has been sitting in the back of a workshop for a few years - very grotty, but underneath it all looks good, all moves freely. Hopefully after a clean up it will look a bit more like yours Mark! You've made a lovely job of yours.

Firstly, would anyone be able to share a copy of the manual / diagram / parts list please?

Secondly, if it helps anyone, I can see on mine how the worm wheel adjustment is made - once the nameplate is removed, you can access the wheel - there are four square headed clamp screws and one eccentric screw - so the adjustment can be made (and I guess should be) with the worm engaged. Photos below show this - along with a distinct lack of oil!

Looks fabulous now