Thread: Unusual tool - what is it?

can anyone identify this tool and what it is used for - it is a No.4 morse taper arbor having a detachable nose with a No of collets which are to suit small centre drills - when you detach the nose piece via a 3 pin scroll there is a live centre - any thoughts?image001.jpg

Looks like a live centre that (using the collets) can also hold the ends of stock too small to take a centre drill (or that you don't want to centre drill)

Michael

Auto electricians often used to use either a rotating drill chuck or a special non-rotating chuck with bronze jaws which were only tightened enough to provide a bearing surface for the shaft in the tailstock to hold centreless starter and generator shafts while skimming their commutators. Wonder if this tool was developed to provide a more accurate version of that set up?

Frank.

Originally Posted by Michael G

Looks like a live centre that (using the collets) can also hold the ends of stock too small to take a centre drill (or that you don't want to centre drill)

Michael

good thought Michael but a No. 4 morse is a hell of a large tailstock

Originally Posted by Alf Scotting

good thought Michael but a No. 4 morse is a hell of a large tailstock

As someone who has a No. 4 Morse taper tailstock, I would have said it was average myself. Just sayin.

Dean