Tailstock and other tooling by Martin Cleeve

A Forum member was after information about the rack feed tailstock designed by Martin Cleeve (Kenneth Hart), I contacted him as I have one of these. It was suggested others might like to see the tailstock in question. so I have posted some photos in my album, unfortunately they are not very good but the best I can do for the moment.

This was purchased by a late friend of mine from Martin Cleeve's widow along with a front swing clear retracting toolholder, a rear swing clear toolholder and an ML7 lathe he was modifying for a friend when he died. I do not know what happened to the lathe.

I also have Martin's "Machinery's Screw Thread Book".

Pictures of all three tooling items can be see in the Workshop Practice Series No3 "Screwcutting in the Lathe" by Martin Cleeve.

Excellent photos in my opinion. They certainly demonstrate the high standard of finish MC achieved despite fabricating from MS sections rather than using castings. The overall effect is enhanced by the lathe's finish in Myford Green rather than the "correct" gray colour; I made the same decision when re-building my own machine some years ago.

The relevant constructional articles for the tailstock are in MEs for 12 and 26 July 1956.

Given that MC was a proponent of the swing clear toolpost it is perhaps surprising that he seems not to have thought of the type of screwcutting toolholder that swings up at the end of the cut - sorry, I can't immediately recall what these are usually called!

Very nice work by Martin, as you'd expect from the articles. It would be nice if these could find their way into the ME Exhibition as loan exhibits one year?

Neil