George Thomas retractable slide for the myford.

Hello all.

Looking to maybe make a George Thomas retractable slide,

Anyone know were i will find the drawings to purchase?

Thanks

Hi Brian

There are drawings and instructions in G.H.T's Model engineers workshop manual which is still in print and full of information and drawings for much else besides.

I think Hemingway do a kit for it.

There's an easier to make one in Graham Meek's book Projects for your workshop.

Dave

Edited By Dave Wootton on 17/06/2021 16:50:34

See third post of this thread:

https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=108552

These gadgets are quite useful for the easiest type of screwcutting, external threads

There is also a lifting type which can be used with a motor that reverses and no retraction is required between cuts, clever stuff

If you are looking to speed up screwcutting a reversing motor switch should be your number one priority

Or alternatively you could make a Graham Meek style leadscrew reversing clutch and have the motor continue to run in a forwards direction.

GHT style retractable slide is, I find, very useful indeed.

I'm not clear whether the retractable top slide or retractable screw cutting tool holder is intended.

There is one omission in the GHT plans with regards to the Retracting Topslide. An Erratum appeared some time during the articles publication in ME, but it never was included in his book. At least not the First Edition.

Myford provide a cast recess in the topslide casting to clear their adjustment collar. On some castings this recess is not long enough to allow the fully designed retraction. I do not know if Myford altered this when they remodelled the topslide. This may have been accommodated by Myford's, as there were very close links between George and Chris Moore.

Regards

Gray,

I made one from the Hemmingway kit although I have the book as well. The Hemmingway kit suppies the bearings, gears and left hand lead screw and nut. Very pleased with mine. It doesn't get used for screwcutting much but the advantages of the smooth operation and large micrometer dial which is free settable with a clamp screw is very usefull. It's not hard to make and worth it just for the better micrometer dial.

Hemmingway kit

regards Martin