What is it?

I came across this device in a friends shed whilst he was having a clear-out. It was in a box with other engineering tools I am familiar with e.g. drills, V blocks, face plate etc, etc. A while back my friend uncovered a Grayson lathe which I have since restored to working condition. The device shown has a 2MT spigot protruding from the edge of what appears to be 2, 4in diameter discs sandwiched together with locating holes in the opposite side to the spigot. There are 5 pictures in 'My albums' entitled what is it? I feel that it might be something that could be used on the Grayson but I really haven't a clue. Can someone enlighten me please?

Probably a simple tailstock 'capstan' unit.

Andrew

Looks to me like a tailstock tool capstan attachment. The 2MT fits in the tailstock taper, various tools (drills etc) are fitted in some or all of the holders on the front which can then be indexed and locked into position along the axis of the lathe. There is a photo of one fitted to a Myford tailstock in Mr Sparey's book "The Amateur's Lathe"

Gordon.

Another vote for a tailstock capstan attachment. Taper fits in the tailstock and various tools are fitted into the front face (mounted on suitable arbours to fit.)

The lock is withdrawn and the face revolved to put the required tool in position on the lathe centreline.

Turret lathe? What does the back look like?

aha...

That's the front.

An offset tailstock attachment?

Chunky too, some serious holes there.

Undo the lockbar, withdraw the detente, turn the tool until it re-engages, then re-tighten the  lockbar

Edited By Ady1 on 22/09/2016 00:25:55

It looks very similar to a Schaublin tailstock turret in principle, only bigger.

It looks very similar to a Schaublin tailstock turret in principle, only bigger.

IIRC, Sparey's turret was offset, ie the discs were mounted to the arbor at an angle and the drill bits etc splayed outwards. The OP has the looks of a shopmade tool. Perhaps the design was in ME back in the day?

Stamp says W.J.Steer - Maker

Well spotted. I wonder who WJ Steer was?

The hobbyist who made it. I doubt a company would bother engine turning the finish of a tailstock turret!

It will work with any MT2 lathe if you make your own adaptors to fit the holes without shake and to suit the clamping arrangement.

Neil

I take that back, it's a professional stamp.

Neil