Agate Master faceter

[Ken]

Well, things have progressed, I have finished the main shaft and chuck and fabricated a new collet and two lock nuts for the shaft.  I decided to use a roll pin in the shaft to orientate the new angled dops I will be using and have some woodruff keys in transit and a slot cutter to lock the index wheel.  I will probably make it a 96 point wheel as I already have the 64 that came with the machine.



Individual components thusfar.



These are the finished components assembled.



I had to improvise to get the slits at 120 degrees apart as I don't have a dividing head.



Closeup of the dop locating pin and slit chuck.

Next task is to modify the transfer jig to use the new dops.

[Rusted]

Nice work Ken

Have you figured a way to lock that index wheel in place?

[Ken]

Yes, I have some tiny woodruff keys on the way dimensions are (Thickness: 1.59 (mm) ** Diameter: 9.53 (mm)) I just need to source a tiny keyway cutter to cut the slot - know of any tiny keyway cutter shops 

[Ken]

Hey Rusty, what angle is machined on those dops is it about 30 degrees?

[Rusted]

Another strange measurement, 25 or 26 degrees. Hard to get a really accurate measurement on such a small surface.

30 degrees would be ideal I reckon.

Tiny keyway cutters, hmm all I can think of is Blackwoods.
Is that measurement really 1/16th by 3/8 "? That does sound more like an off the shelf size. Just an off the top of my head conversion from metric to imperial, I might be way out.

[Ken]

It is a standard #203 woodruff key I have ordered a cutter from the UK - tried Blackwoods and every where else in Oz to no avail - but it is on its way now   30 degrees will do, at the end of the day it is a locator it probably could be any angle where the dop would slot into the pin cavity.

[Ken]

Still waiting for th Woodruff cutter so I decided to modify some dops and make some more







Slowly getting there 

[Ken]

Finished the modified transfer jig to accommodate the new dops and am pleased to report my woodruff keyway cutter has arrived from the UK so I will be able to key the index wheel to the main shaft.

[Ken]

My 60 degree slot cutter arrived today so I cut a test 96 index wheel will cut the final wheel in 5mm alloy tomorrow with any luck.

[Rusted]

OK I'll bite

How did you cut that 96 index wheel without a dividing head?

[Ken]

Well, I had a rotary table and lashed out and bought a set of dividing plates for it   I am cutting the final index wheel as we speak.



slowly getting there

[Ken]

Finished the 96 tooth index wheel just need graduations on the face and a slot cut for the woodruff key.

[Ken]

Key way now cut and keyed



It all fits together

[Jimnyjerry]

Very impressive workmanship Ken.  Well done 

[MALACHI]

 Great work Ken, I've enjoyed watching you restore the Agate Master.  How close are you to cutting your first stone? Will be looking forward to seeing it! 

Cheers
Malachi