Wells Index Mill: Repairing the Tilt Gear - Part 2 

I've enjoyed watching your youtube videos for more than a year, Keith. I'm not used to being locked down or shut out. I'm not a machinist, my father in law was. I'm a songwriter for one of the most successful groups on the planet. My father in law worked as an independent machinist making beryllium parts for space exploration. From my point of view, your activities looked like a grown-up kid turned loose in a hobby shop... I sold a vacation home we had in France (we no longer need that) added a 600 square foot $50,000 machine shop to my home in Southern California and now I'm learning to make things Just for fun. Until you showed up, I thought my life had come to an end... now I'm thinking WOULDN'T IT BE NICE TO LIVE AGAIN. Thanks, Keith... you've changed my life FOREVER. Stan Shapiro

An awesome example of a positive way that all this current social media can impact us in our daily lives. Just delighted that Bob caught the opportunity and made your day! - heck! it made mine too! 😎

This shows the power of RU-vid. So nice to see someone lend a hand to a friend in need.

Mr Rucker, thank you again for another very absorbing episode, the best part of which is the change of plans for the gear which no longer needs repairs. Learning of your good fortune has actually made my day. It could have not happened to a cooler guy. And your friend Bob, what a rum fellow he is, eh what? Best wishes.

If ever a man deserved a little bit of luck, It's you Keith. You are held in high esteem by all your viewers. Good to see another machine up and running in the shop. Best regards from Ron across the Pond.

One man's trash is another man's treasure. I end up collecting a lot of stuff because I hate to throw away stuff that could come in handy later. If it isn't broken, it ain't junk. I think the Wells should be called Bob from now on so Bob's generosity isn't forgotten. Thank's for posting. I bet that mill we run longer than any of us.

Bob Curl of Michigan, please know that your generous act in supplying the Wells Index Mill gear has resonated , well, if not quite around the World, then at least as far as out here in Australia....

Wow, what a stroke of luck that one of your viewers had that gear sitting around. It still amazes me whenever I see the power of the internet hooking up two people that would've never crossed paths otherwise.

Having a VERY popular channel has been paying us viewers big dividends and now it was your turn. I laughed when you revealed the new gear and your international exposure has paid off big time. I am very happy for such a deserving person. With your kind of luck, you should be buying lottery tickets. Does anyone have a guess what that gear might cost from Wells today? Several thousand? If plan A had not been possible and plan B did not occur, by passing the hat among 89,000 subscribers, just $1 each would have bought you a brand new gear and the Woodruff key cutter. Congrats Keith and thanks for sharing your joy. Keep the wonderful videos coming our way.

Great video and project. You are a patient man!!!! As the saying goes, "life happens while your making plans." And then came plan "B" Couldn't have written the script any better! Thanks for all our great videos.

Just got back from Fla. and had a chance to watch. Keith wins the lucky dog award with the new gear. Glad to see someone had one sitting on the shelf that didn't end up in a scrap bin.

Keith your a lucky dog, better buy a lottery ticket. Bob thank you for saving the day and knowing where to lay your hands on that part. If it had been me Keith would have drilled the holes and had it back together before I could have found the bloody thing.

Keith, There's a word that comes to mind to explain your situation: serendipity. I'm glad you got the Wells Index back on deck. Now you can machine up a storm with both mills in action! We'll be waiting to see some chips from your vertical mill! Thanks for the video. Have a good one! Dave

Michigan BOB, HERO of the day!! Keith, really nice fix! Looks like you gave the ole girl many more years of life! NICE!!!

very cool story. Thanks to the viewer who thought of you!

and 'that' is why you never get rid of new old parts! That's my story and I'm sticken to it.

What are the odds of a viewer having the exact part you need, amazing

Just goes to show that if you do good things on a regular basis, good things will come back to you. Kudos to the person who gave the part, that was a pretty cool thing to do.

wow getting the new oem part. you are a living example of a man who lives right.i think you should buy power ball asap. keep up the great videos.

yet another win to Keith and another working machine to play with ! and can't forget Bobs contribution either

Bob's the man. Keith, you deserve such largesse for your sharing. Great result!

Keith - You are a lucky guy! Bob sends you the part that you need, and on St. Patricks day! Great story - Today would be a good day to buy a lottery ticket.

Well now that gives meaning to the saying Bob's your Uncle!!!!....... Lol Thanks Keith for another awesome video, and thanks Bob for buying, saving, remembering, and sending the part!!! Kevin

Down under, we'd say "You're a legend, Bob!!!!". It's not just for having the spare, but recognising it from the video, then being able to find it in your stash, and sending it down to Keith! I was sure this was going to be a show stopper for the poor old girl. :)

Great job Keith. The reason you got that gear from a subscriber is you're one of the most down to earth likable guys here on youtube.

I really like seeing you get these old Machines back to working condition. Great job! Keith you have all those wonderful machine at your disposal. Why not fill the Old gear with silicon bronze and machine new teeth. That way you have a spear that you might need some time in the nest fifty years. If you decide to fix the old gear be sure and tag it like your friend did so that when you need it you'll know what it is after you find it fifty years from now. keep those videos coming.

Bob Curl (spelling?) - you da man! 😄 Love this channel and guys like you! (3 years later but you deserve the thanks...)

"So I have this thing, I don't have any idea what it is, but I know it will be useful to somebody someday, I better save it" This is a HUGE part of maintaining stuff, and is being lost rapidly in our break, throw away, and buy new society. It makes me really happy that you got this part Keith, both cause the story is cool, but also because it showcases an important idea from the past of saving things for a rainy day, and how those things and ideas can help in the most unexpected ways. Life lessons everywhere.... Some additional Woodruff notes: A Woodruff key is captured and won't walk up and down on the shaft meaning it is safer at high speeds and under vibration, where standard keys can walk out. The lighter weight helps maintains better shaft balance in high rpm situations. Additionally, sometimes a specific Woodruff key is chosen specifically because it is weaker and acts as a fuse hopefully protecting the attached parts from the type of damage that happened to your gear. (not like it made a difference here) Again, Thanks Keith for another great vid, Keep it up.

Wonderful and generous man to find a home for the worm wheel.

Great piece of reconditioning. Very nice of Bob to give you the replacement gear. Liked your Wooddruff key explanation. Keep making videos. I am very impressed with your skills and teaching skill.

Bob could've put the gear on ebay, and send You the link. but chose to be a friend. And ended up as a hero! Well done!

Sure- a thumbs up for the video, but thumbs up X infinity to the person who sent you that gear. He saved you an awful lot of heartburn.

Nothing better than a new part. Awesome. Thanks, John

Keith, I can't tell you how much these 2 videos on the head tilt for the mill has taught me about how to fix my own mill head tilt. I have an old Excello (XLO) mill that I discovered had a faulty head tilt the same way you did. I pivoted the head to clear the door when I brought it into the shop and it wouldn't lift it back into the upright position. Now I know how to troubleshoot it because it looks very much like it functions exactly like your Index mill.

Not only did Bob buy a box of parts with the gear in it, he also watched your video and recognized the part. It really makes you wonder, doesn't it. Great job! Great Bob. Nice one, Keith. You deserve it.

AWESOME JOB Keith ! Thumbs up to the great viewer that came to the rescue .. & Thumbs up to you Keith ..

What a great piece of luck getting that gear. I guess even a blind squirrel gets a nut once in a while. Really enjoyed the repair. Thanks for sharing.

Awesome BOB ! You deserve a break Keith. Nice when things come together.

Glad to see you found what you needed to get the mill back together.

All that effort and someone gives you a brand new one-----GREAT!!

I love it when something goes back together as it supposed to. Your a lucky man, what could the odds been indeed. Plus with the damaged part you might be able to help someone else that's not as lucky. Here's to luck!!! It does happen sometimes.

That was fun, just shows how much easier it is to have an assistant around.

Bob, you are a hero in my book. Outstanding!

Bob the Boss. (this time) LOL. Your great to help Keith out. And now you know where this part fits in. Congrats Keith, saved again one off your machines. Love your vids. Greets from the Netherlands.

YA Michigan BOB! Nice Job Keth. that head looks massive for that small of a gear!

Good job Mr. Keith . Huh come to think of it I don't think I have ever missed a episode . Keep up the great work . Many Thanks , Tighe

Hi Keith, if you can get an old spring from a garage tilta door and use it in conjuction with the workshop crane to carry the weight of the Wells Index Head you will not damage the worm and crown again. Keep up the good work. You have inspired me to get cracking in my own workshop these last couple of years. Many thanks. Bruce (Australia)

Very good job, you really lucked out in getting that head gear, that's what us guys do, helping out our buds.

That gear was a one in a million. Great job.

Glad you got a new gear! Glad a viewer could help! I enjoy your videos, but I only do very small hobby work. But I still get plenty of tips from you! Thanks, Tim in Kentucky

Classic repair job Keith! This episode shows how wonderful "networking" really is. Folks helping folks when they can. That gear now will now perform the job it was intended to do when it was made so many years ago. Great videos and repair job. Fred

KEITH, thanks for the great video. I learned about woodruff keys and how you did your repairs on the Index. I enjoy your videos the best of all the guys on RU-vid. You are very gracious and you have a pleasant and informed way of teaching. Jim Murphy San Marcos, Ca.

The generosity of your viewers amazes me. Thanks Bob from all of us who watch this channel. Thanks for the explanation of why the Woodruff key was superior to a straight key way. Good video Keith, you're a good machinist and instructor.

good things come to good people. another great video

Great job, and Great Video. I'm glad Bob had the gear you needed.

Way to go BOB..... Keith I can see the excitement in your face get bigger with each machine you get up and running.

❤️thank you Bob. You’re a live and time saver. God bless. Greetings from Norway

great work keith, and thanks to bob you can use the mill without problems ,you deserve it regards tony

The world needs more Bobs. Everyone should have an uncle Bob

Hey Keith, in my mind one of the biggest advantages to the Woodruff key is that once it is all installed, it won't walk, but it will allow the gear the float a bit.

HA HA HAAA! You sneaky thing! Had that brand new gear (that's really nice, Bob!) and had me/us thinking you was going to drill the old, then BANG- plot twist! LOL Great video and really glad you got you got your vertical mill up and running again. I'm relieved for ya! When I saw the problem I really felt bad. Good to have great viewers like Bob who realized he actually had the right part in a box of stuff that he probably had for some time. I bet you're Happy Happy. I would be too.

Where would we be without friendly, helpful neighbours. Great stuff.

Great to hear you got it back together, and thanks Bob!!

Bob is a hero! Though, as others have said, we'd love to see you make one of those items. Give you an excuse to use your dividing head.

15:11 What a great demonstration of backlash. That is so far the best I've seen of that effect - and a clear indication you forgot to lock the X -axis like you should have done ;)

Hey Keith, If you put a long bar into the quill you could push down on it with your left while turning the worm gear with your right, one man job. With a long enough lever, it may even be a half a man job. With a weighted bar, you could counter balance the head and take most of the pressure off the worm screw and operator. I am thinking a something like a weightlifting bar with one end in the collet and some plate weights to make it adjustable and easy to install.

Hello Keith, Great to see that the Wells Index Mill is repaired with a new part, and great video like usual ! Many greetings from Roel.

I am so glad you found the right part to fix back to 100%

Got to thank Bob here. Best fix, but original plan wood have worked on the farm !

Thanks for posting this repair. Most of us viewers probably never saw the inside of the worm & gear assembly on a mill head. It was very interesting. What surprises me is that the two pins that engage in the gear didn't shear off and cause some serious damage.

Thanks Bob!! He was so happy to get the new part that made me Happy too :D

The beauty of having almost 100K people watching you is likely somebody out there has or knows where what you need is! Great luck that Bob had one and recognized it. It looks like from the force it took to right the head that gear is a bit undersized for the load of that heavy head. You could put like a 10" facemill in the spindle to help balance it out. :-)

Best plan B I've seen in a long time

Glad to see that the Index 847 is back up again! Nice work Keith :))

You lucky dog! I can not believe that someone just happened to have that gear laying about and was happy to give it to you! The last school I was teaching at had a Wells Index like yours, I always disliked the head clamping bolts because they simply did not have enough clearance around the nuts for anything but a box end wrench. Of course this did keep the kids from using a crescent wrench on it. All the best! Mike

Keith, you have the life! A job where you are at a desk and in the field and a "hobby" that so many of us would love to be able to do. Thanks! Also, I finally realized how quiet your shop is> Most all of your other machining videos were done at the museum with a lot of ambient background noise. I like it! Rich

Even more surprising is that Bob is just one of the few from the 8 billion or so people who watch your videos. Perhaps a lotto ticket might be a good idea?

Well done again Keith. it is so great that your viewers are so willing to share with you when the need arises :) Keep up the good Work Mate. Always very interesting when you Show The repair/ remaking the parts and the end result.

Nice repair Keith, that is a great story about the replacement gear.

Thanks for posting the video. Will come in handy when I finally reassemble my old Bridgeport. That worm gear is a known problem when the head is tilted over for transport. Nice bit of good fortune to find the exact replacement part too.

Beautifully done. Whats the odds a viewer had the exact part you needed and BRAND New,..! Unbelievable Great repair video

Congratulations on that excellent find! What Great Luck! Very appropriate for Saint Patrick's Day! Thanks so much for posting this! It made me wish that I could have helped you with the re install!

Cheers to Bob.

Mr Pete had a neat stand he made which fit in the chuck and supported the head. It used the table to raise / lower and move X and Y. Worth seeing. Difficult to move with the sling.

Thanks Bob!!!!!

Great ending to a suspense thriller! good fortune and good machining. Kinda gave me the willies every time you grabbed that cutter though!

Nice work Keith on saving your Wells-Index mill. I have a Bridgeport mill that had the part where those four bolts go thru those rotary slots broken out, either when somebody hit the head, or when the bolts were over tightened. I was fortune enough to find a replacement on e-bay and replaced it. Love the videos, keep them coming and have a great day.

lovely work Keith. that mill looks plenty heavy duty!!

Hi Keith, I bought an old Rockwell which has similar worm gear adjustment as your's have at the back, on mine. Smaller machine a toy in comparison. I also have a cheap table top Chinese I used for 15 years. I n my opinion with a better quality table top mill small jobs are easier than on a machine like yours. Congratulation to your beautiful shop, you can actually walk to your machines, I just turn around to the next one. The unfortunate sitiation is that by the time we achieve a well equipped shop we'll get too old to work. Usit in good health for a long time an continue making great videos which we used to watch. That Old Bob

THANK YOU...for sharing. Thank God for Bob! Need more people like him.

Kudos for Bob the gear guy! Someone get that gentleman a beer, or maybe a nice single malt scotch!

So awesome that you were able to get a brand new gear from the community!

Keith, you are one very luck Dude. I would travel to Michigan and take that man and buy him the best steak dinner I could find. Keep up the good work.

You're a good guy Keith. You deserve to be so lucky now and again :-D Like most of the rest of us, I'd have liked to have been there (12 time zones away) and push the milling head for you

Really cool that you got a brand new one! :)

Both you and the gent who sent you the part are living proof of the success of RU-vid as a method of communication. Talk about good luck though. All those years that gear sat around as a paperweight and lo and behold,hallelujah. Both of you get to feel good about it. Way to go.

Congrats on your Mill-head fix, What a lucky find. It was a really nice thing for your viewer to give you the partI guess he must enjoy your videos like the rest of us. Thanks for sharing.

Cool, I used an old Wells index mill at my last job. It came from a shop in Texas to us in TN. Don't remember tilting that mill but we did the old bridge port when making new angle bar tracks for printing press upgrades.

Great work Keith. You needed Adam Booth over there helping you out. Might not have needed the crane. LOL

You asked how the odds where. I can tell you. The odds where 34.000 to 1 One of the 34.000 viewers of the last video to this had exactly the part you need. :-)