...There are 2 Different, Very Simple Tricks, to Adjusting the Top Slide to Accurate Angles, to Duplicate, or make up, Tapers. They are Fast and don't involve Trigonometry or the use of a 'Taper Attachment'. I don't have a Problem with Trig.
What I find Exciting is Dividing 360 Degrees of a 4 Foot Rotary Tabel, of a Vertical 'Slotter', to Cut 26 Internal Splines in a 5" or 6"?? Diameter*. Comes down to Multiple Movements in Degrees, Minutes and Seconds. An Even Number makes it easier than if it were Odd. Because we can start with 2 at 180 Degrees to 'Set' the Depth of Cut, Before Proceeding with the remaining 24. I think I have it...360 Degrees Divided by 26, comes out to Each Movement, (13 Degrees, 50 Minutes and 45.6 Seconds!)
26 Rotary Adjustments in One Direction Only, CW. Set up with Dial Indicators, to keep the Table Centered X and y, and feed the Depth of Cut on the +X, Directly to the Front of the Slot-Cutter. The Degrees were read around the circumference of the 4 Foot Rotary Table, with the Minutes and Seconds read on the Tables' Rotating Crank, Micrometer Dial. Then, every completed movement is Locked before cutting.
I came up with the Divisions in 13.0 Degrees, 50.0 Minutes, and 45.6 Seconds, in 26 Splines. I do remember, I had to draw a spreadsheet 'MAP', to Check-Off Each point I was Leaving, to move to the next point to cut. Or I would be Lost!! To fix it, I would have to Crank ALL the way around CW find ZERO, and count Off, Again. NO REVERSING!!
A Lot of room for Messing up...I Nailed It!
* This Splined Sleeve was for a Rack Storage Mount, for the Propeller to a P-51 Mustang. Leo, My boss, would help His friends who Raced a P-51 at the Reno Air Races.
I cut the Blanks for 2 Mating Gears, Gil cut the Teeth. Leo, a 'Gear Engineering' Genius, designed the Modification of the Gear-Drive for the Super-Charger of a Racing P-51 Mustang...To Run at a 1.1% Overdrive.
It was a Great Success, The Custom Set-Up Worked!! I don't remember what Year, the Race in Reno, was. But the Mustang Crossed the Finish Line and WON First Place!!...As the Engine BLEW-UP!! All true, Believe It!
MJ