Another improvement for my Sheldon/Vernon horizontal mill

[Bob Engelhardt]

I have a Rusnok vertical head on my Vernon. It needs to be trammed like any other vertical spindle & bump-adjust gets me where I need to be. But it could be more convenient, especially when I have it angled 60* & its center of mass is way off the over-arm axis:



So I made a fine-adjust for it. First I took took a right angle drive that I got at the dump years ago:



And cut it down to the useful parts:



I cut the worm gear off its shaft & bored it to the over-arm diameter (2"). Slit & put a tightener on it; and made a crank for the worm shaft:



Installed on the back of the mill:



It does have to be loosened to adjust the over-arm in & out, but that's no big deal (when the head isn't on it).

[Bob Engelhardt]

Works a treat & the crank is much more easily bumped than a wheel would be.

[old mart]

Nice, with the added bonus that there is no danger of loosing control of the head when loosening the clamps. I will be looking out for a reduction gearbox to mod the Tom Senior light vertical.

[mattthemuppet]

that is very slick, nice job!

[Randy]

Excellent work.

[Tundra Twin Track]

Nice Job ,nice to see clever ideas for repurposing good parts at the best price ever.Kudos!

[Dan Dubeau]

And cut it down to the useful parts:

I laughed out loud when I read that and scrolled to the next picutre. Great job Bob, I bet that's a treat to use now.

[J Tiers]

Worm gear adjustment is the best.

I did a similar deal to the Benchmaster. Had to make all the parts, since I had no handy gearbox. Works very well. You'll like yours.

The only real difference in principle is that I cut a keyway in the arm, and trapped a key in the worm gear, so I can move it in and out without messing with the gearbox.

[Bob Engelhardt]

Nice, with the added bonus that there is no danger of loosing control of the head when loosening the clamps. I will be looking out for a reduction gearbox to mod the Tom Senior light vertical.

Yes, that too. Otherwise it's a bit of game to keep the clamps loose enough to adjust but not lose control.

Nice Job ,nice to see clever ideas for repurposing good parts at the best price ever.Kudos!

Thanks. I'll be much more adventuresome with what I have laying around, than with something I have to buy. I never really know if something's going to work out & I hate to have wasted something I bought. Not rational, but there it is.

"And cut it down to the useful parts:"
I laughed out loud when I read that and scrolled to the next picture. Great job Bob, I bet that's a treat to use now.

When I cleaned up & saw that pile of chips, I knew I had a picture.

Worm gear adjustment is the best.

I did a similar deal to the Benchmaster. Had to make all the parts, since I had no handy gearbox. Works very well. You'll like yours.

The only real difference in principle is that I cut a keyway in the arm, and trapped a key in the worm gear, so I can move it in and out without messing with the gearbox.

I didn't have the confidence that I could make a worm & gear that would work worth a dam. The keyway is the best way to do it, but I took the easy way out.

that is very slick, nice job!

Excellent work.

Thank you! It's fun making stuff, and it's also fun sharing on HSM.

[J Tiers]

........................

I didn't have the confidence that I could make a worm & gear that would work worth a dam. The keyway is the best way to do it, but I took the easy way out.
.............

It's far easier than you think.

But your approach is very practical, works just as well, and uses available materials. I like it.

[Doozer]

Worm gear adjustment is the best.
.

Counterbalance is the best.
That way you can adjust the head with one finger.

-Doozer

[nc5a]

Bob, Wow! now that's being creative with salvaged stuff. I loved the photo of the gear box pieces, me thinks you should frame it and hang it on your shop wall. Cutting the worm wheel, boring and splitting it was a hell of an idea and it looks great. Nicely done, great photos, clear description and good followup to the comments. Ron

[J Tiers]

Counterbalance is the best.
That way you can adjust the head with one finger.

-Doozer

My worm adjust is easier to get right on the needed adjustment than your finger......😉 Unless you just "give it" the finger.... That's easier, but less productive.

[Bob Engelhardt]

Bob, Wow! now that's being creative with salvaged stuff. I loved the photo of the gear box pieces, me thinks you should frame it and hang it on your shop wall. Cutting the worm wheel, boring and splitting it was a hell of an idea and it looks great. Nicely done, great photos, clear description and good followup to the comments. Ron

Not on the shop wall, but it is in the Wallpaper folder for my Windows desk top.

I do think that I will print, frame, & hang your post. I appreciate it, thanks.

[DR]

Thanks Bob, Great idea, very relevant for me. My Hardinge horizontal has a Bridgeport M head that I mounted on the 2" overarm. I've only ever used the head aligned vertically. The other day I needed to incline the head 37 degrees off vertical. Without thinking I loosened the overarm clamps to gently make the adjustment and wham, the head being very top heavy swung instantly about 90 degrees stopping when the motor hit part of the mill. Luckily no damage to anything. I have a spare gearbox to donate to the project.