Interesting adaptation of Cincinnati (?) dividing head to K&T mill

Michael Goleman posted these pix on the K&T Milwaukee Yahoo Group under "...Southern Engineering" Well, that it is, a double-jointed spline drive as shown to make up for the axial misalignment. I'd love to do that since I have the same type dividing head and a K&T 2CH vertical mill which is similar to that in the photos but unfortunately mine lacks the PTO head Mike's has on the right end of the table. I don't recall reading of any restrictions on borrowing photos from the group as long as credit was given.

I expect very few "PTO" boxes were sold with vertical mills - for the simple reason is that they are poorly suited for spiral or helical milling - which is the reason fro driving a DH in the first place

I wonder how much error - I assume at least some?? - is introduced by the action of the two universal joints?

awake said:

I wonder how much error - I assume at least some?? - is introduced by the action of the two universal joints?

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If they are in phase and the shafts are parallel, and they look that way in the photo, they theoretically cancel out each other.

johnoder said:

I expect very few "PTO" boxes were sold with vertical mills - for the simple reason is that they are poorly suited for spiral or helical milling - which is the reason fro driving a DH in the first place

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Thanks, now I'll probably get over my helical-deficiency syndrome-the K&T advertising I've seen led me to believe their vertical mills would do that stuff as well as anything. I won't go out of my way to buy a K&T dividing head for my 2D rotary-head mill either, let alone everyone seems to want a fortune for them. I use the PTO head on the 2D for driving the rotary table. The spline shaft was missing but with some tips from this board I found a source of standard commercial 6-tooth shaft and got their minimum length of 36" for I think $75. Incl shipping. My rotary table has been rotating by itself since then. Facing a 6" steel disc with shell mill and rotary table - YouTube. I noticed the mill pictured at top of the thread has a hinged door presumably so you can change gears in the Drive head; on the 2D vertical the speed is changed by change levers.