Cutting gears - it's surprisingly easy

[Alans Home Workshop]

[the harmonious blacksmith]

Dialing in cutter depth each time just gives more chance for error. Turning the cutter over to conventional cutting feeding in from the end, then backing out past the end before indexing would eliminate that problem.

[Alans Home Workshop]

Setting the cutter depth for each tooth was certainly a bit tedious However, doing it that way directed the cutting force towards the tailstock and ensured the (lightly gripped) work piece could not migrate into the chuck. I did use the method you suggest when cutting the 30 tooth gear and it is definitely a preferable way to work.
Thanks for your comment.