wheel cutting machine

Made:
1668-1672 Probable in England
Early clock-wheel cutting machine. Early clock-wheel cutting machine. Group photograph of Early clock-wheel cutting machine

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Early clock-wheel cutting machine.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Early clock-wheel cutting machine.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Group photograph of Early clock-wheel cutting machine
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Early clock-wheel cutting machine made by Humphrey Marsh, England, 1668-1672.

Wheel-cutting machines were used to make gear wheels for clocks and other mechanical devices. This example is thought to have been made by Humphrey Marsh de Highworth due to the presence of the signature on the underside of the plate, which is an unfinished Gunter quadrant and a perpetual calendar. From the leap years it is evident that the calendar was begun between 1668 and 1672. The work on the quadrant was abandoned and the plate was used to make this machine.

The circular plate is attached to the spindle which carries the blank. The spindle passes through a 'T' plate, the ends of which are slotted and secured by lock nuts to the iron frame and which can be adjusted by a screw to take blanks of different sizes. The cutter is mounted in a frame on bearings so that it can be swung into the blank as the cutting proceeds. The cutter is driven by a handle through gearing.

Details

Category:
Hand and Machine Tools
Object Number:
1954-421
Materials:
iron, steel and brass
Measurements:
overall: 12.2047 x 19.8819 x 17.3228 in.; 310 x 505 x 440 mm
type:
wheel cutting machine
credit:
National Maritime Museum