[Cameramakers] Rack and pinion template system

[Dan Rhoades]

I was wondering in anyone would be interested in a template/jig to be able to shape and cut a rack and pinion out of wood.  I'm working with a engineer with a good CNC metal shop to build a jig system for cutting the pinion and rack by hand using files and chisels.  I think African Blackwood, Cocobolo, Hard Maple or other hard stable woods would be great for gearing since there isn't a lot of pressure on the gear teeth.  The design we are working is based on hardened steel runners in which you would place the piece of wood in between two jigs, clamp the wood tight, drill the center hole using a predrilled hole in the steel that would guide the bit straight, and then cut and file each tooth.  The rack will be a similar design but won't need the center hole.    Now, I'm going to build one for myself since I like having rack and pinion focusing on my cameras and a wood system is so much cooler than adding metal to the system.  My friend (Kirk Kovel of Kovel Precision Machine in Colorado Springs) can build the system cheaper in production than one at a time so if others want this type of system we can all benefit from a cheaper price.  He is also great since he knows that this is just a hobby and none of us are out to make money doing this so he charges a reasonable price.  I have no idea at this time what the cost per unit would be since more units will bring down the price, but the price would be at cost.   My current camera is using a 16 tooth system and is quite stable with no stress on the gear teeth.  I think a 32 or even a 64 tooth system would be quite reasonable and workable but I want to see what any other interested parties would like.  The other size requirements we need to work out amongst ourselves is the size of the pinion and the length of the rack.  My current system has the pinion at a 2" diameter and the rack at 16" long and that seems to work well.    Alright, let's see if anyone is interested and we'll work out the details and see if anyone has good ideas to make this system work.   Dan Rhoades www.rhoadescameras.bizland.com