The Pittler Slide rest

The Pittler slide rest is totally unique, it can swivel in all directions, it can cut balls, concave or convex shapes etc. The stem can quickly be raised to suit a cutting height without the need for packing. It also has it's feed screw hidden in the same manner as the main bed of the lathe. Taking into account that the slide can move around the axis of the lathe bed, and also around it's own axis an almost unlimited variation of positions are possible. If the traverse were divided into 100 parts, this would yield 100 positions for the full travel. By the turning of the traverse around it's own axis ( the complete turn represents 360 degrees) the following result is obtained: 100 X 360 = 36,000 positions and by turning of the traverse around the bed slide, we have another complete turn of 360 degrees, that is to say: 36,000 X 360 = 12,960,000 positions in all without moving the bed slide! (info from Pittler catalogue 1898)

<img src="Pittler cross-slide.jpg" alt="Pittler B2> lathe">

The Pittler B2 cross-slide showing theshank that locates in a socket on the saddle casting. A 3/8" bolt hole in each side is for fitting certain accessories such as a milling/drilling spindle which can also fit on the top.

Two photo's of the saddle casting, both the socket and saddle casting itself are split so they can tighten up using the wingnuts

Showing the graduated scale on the saddle casting. The zero setting swivels the casting for the precise angle for ball turning.

The slide is shown here fitted in the socket at the rear of the bed. In this position the slide rest is fully supported

Section from the Pittler catalogue of 1901