Yet another mystery tool

Aug 08, 2005 15 Replies
D

I was given this tool some years ago by a machinist specialising in gears and splines that didn't know what it was. I thought it might be of some use on a mill but haven't used it yet. The tool was manufactured by the Monarch Tool Company Ltd, Kirkheaton, Huddersfield, UK. Internet searchs found no reference to the company. The tailstock is spring loaded and when the headstock spindle is rotated anti-clockwise as you look from the tailstock moves towards the tailstock. It sit on a graduated swivelling base.



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Any thoughts as to what its purpose is would be appreciated.



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T

It is the prototype for this:

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I am the exclusive supplier in the US...Visa / MC accepted!

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J

Well, other humorous replies aside, it looks a lot like a miniature cylindrical grinder that can be attached to a mill table, or possibly in place of a lathe compound. The "headstock" looks like it might have an indexing gearbox. Does it have changeable gears in the box? If so, and it moves in two axes at once (rotation plus axial travel) then it sure sounds like it is for cutting helical gears.

As for Monarch, this was a celebrated maker of lathes and other machine tools. The Ltd may refer to a British branch, as I think Monarch was a US brand. The logo appears the same as the machine tool logo.

Jon

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J

I think I need one with a hex headed screw instead of the wimpy handle, then I could use a breaker bar and pipe.. or maybe an impact wrench.

John

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L

Whassamatta? You got a tight-assed cat?

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R

My guess is this is a spring winding lathe. The lack of ways and a cross slide suggest this was never meant to do anything but turn. Also the head stock seems to be a gear reduction box, and the bearings look like they are lubricated with grease via zirks.

I am curious what you mean by:

anti-clockwise as

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J

Um.. well, I can't comment on his ass, but he sure is a little bastard. He did catch a mouse in the house yesterday, so I guess I'll not use the impact for now..

John

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M

This man should be able to tell you. George Bower, California

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Why? He worked for the company in Kirkheaton.

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J

The last line of the article is:

"George's e-mail address is snipped-for-privacy@aol.com"

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