Wheel cutting machine with milling cutter, made by Manuel Gutierrez, 1789

This machine, for cutting the wheels of clocks, is stated to have been made in Madrid by Manuel Gutierrez.

The blank wheel having been prepared, the spaces between the teeth are cut by a disc in diameter, with its formed edge scored by a graver so that it acts as a fine milling cutter. This cutter is fixed on a spindle rotated by spur gearing, from a hand-driven counter-shaft carried between centres on a frame that swings between stops, but is secured in an adjustable slide that permits of skew teeth being cut. This head is carried on a slide so that it can be set to suit the diameter of wheel required and there is a screw feed for adjusting the depth of tooth.

The wheel blank is secured to a vertical spindle, which carries near its lower end a disc in diameter, extensively divided on both faces, wheels of even 47, 49, 51, and 58 teeth being provided for. The upper end of this spindle runs in a conical bush and the lower one on a cone centre.