Involute Gear
This page is very much a work in progress-improvements are forthcoming.
There are several methods to cut an involute gear, but I will focus on hobbing techniques, as a simple hob can be made with the most basic lathe. (see Hob)
The tools necessary for this process include:
1. A vertical milling machine (horizontal will probably work as well, but I will focus on vertical here)
2. The appropriate gear-cutting hob for the dimensions of the gear desired
3. An indexing head attachment for the milling machine
4. A tailstock attachment for the same
5. A live center to mount in the tailstock and a dead center to mount in the indexing head
6. The stock machined slightly oversize (compared to tooth diameter) diameter-no more than 0.010-0.020" oversize is needed) on an engine or bench lathe.