Geo. H. Thomas Retracting Toolholder - Which ME Issues?

Hi there, all,

I recently bought two back numbers of ME, in order to get the Geo. H. Thomas articles describing his retracting toolholder.

I was told I needed November and December 1981 and bought copies listed with those dates.

This post ought to be sub-titled "First & Third Fridays - I should have remembered that!". I should indeed, I used to own a collection of ME covering 50 years!

So, I have issue 3669 which has Part II of the article, ending with the word 'continued'. I also have issue 3671 which is full of interesting reading but has nothing relating to Geo. H. Thomas' article.

My question is, if I procure issues 3668 and 3670, shall I then have all the description of making the toolholder?

Best regards,

Swarf, Mostly!

Hello Swarf, Mostly!

Searching in the ME_Indexes   **LINK**   application with the criteria Author like Thomas and title like retracting tool holder I found the following data:

Year: 1981, Date: 6-Nov, Volume: 147, Issue: 3668, Page: 1334, Title: "A retracting toolholder for screwcutting'
Year: 1981, Date: 20-Nov, Volume: 147, Issue: 3669, Page: 1405, Title: "A retracting toolholder for screwcutting', Notes: 'Gib strip, the body, the tool-slide, the bridge-piece'
Year: 1981, Date: 4-Dec, Volume: 147, Issue: 3670, Page: 1446, Title: "A retracting toolholder for screwcutting', Notes: 'The bridge piece, camshaft, pressure plate, spring, tool-bits'

Hope that the above data is helpful.
However if you need some more search in the database you can download the application(s) or just let me know what you are looking for and as soon as I can I will search for you.

Best regards
Dias Costa

Edited By dcosta on 28/08/2012 15:49:12

Edited By dcosta on 28/08/2012 16:05:17

Hi there, Dias,

That's very helpful, I'm most grateful.

I just found and bought issues 3668 & 3670 on eBid.

Best regards,

Swarf, Mostly!

Hi Swarf

..or buy The Model Engineers Workshop Manual [ Try Amazon ] which includes the retracting topslide and many other projects by GHT that would keep you busy for some time!

He had a knack of giving clear and straightforward instructions that made even seemingly baffling projects quite straightforward. In my view we are yet to see his equal.

Regards

Norman

Swarf,

I second Norman's recommendation of the GHT book - it has to have been one of the strongest influences on my work, and I'm sure many other self-taught machinists. His little recipe for a topslide lock (only about half a page and a photo) is worth the price alone!

David

Edited By David Littlewood on 28/08/2012 18:14:37

Hi Again Swarf

Re-reading my recent post I see that I typed retracting TOPSLIDE rather than the TOOLHOLDER you were seeking. Still buy the book - both are featured therein!

( I obviously don't share GHT's gift for giving clear instructions - something that I think my wife may have mentioned to me on occasion!)

Norman

Hi there, Norman and David,

Thank you for your posts. I did look around for GHT's book but couldn't find a copy on offer for a price within my current limits (my hobby budget is rather overspent at present!). However, I'll keep looking.

As regards your comment, Norman, keeping busy isn't a problem around here these days - the snag is not enough of the business is in the workshop!

Best regards,

Swarf, Mostly!

Hi Swarf,

I have ask if you really need a GHT retracting tool holder, they are time consuming to make and there is a better tool which is much easier to make. The flip up/clapper box/swing up, whatever you want to call it, tool holder has many advantages and as far as i can see only one disadvantage, that is it will not work with Graham Meek's wonderful gearbox attachment, but even here it is much quicker to make a cross slide stop instead of GHT's tool holder.

In case you think I have a bit of a "down" on GHT, far from it, but I have built his tool, and Yes it works as it should, but I never use it because there are easier and better ways. If you feel you just have to build one, rough out the main block and let it rest for awhile before final finishing because it will warp like mad if you use ordinary bright mild.

chriStephens

Edited By chris stephens on 30/08/2012 18:48:16

Chris,

I was thinking of building the Thomas' retracting tool holder. But......I decided to hold up:

What is the "flip up/clapper box/swing up, whatever you want to call it, tool holder" that you mentioned ??

Is there an article that describes the theory behind it? Where are there plans for it?