Pittler lathes, Vic Newey - The C3 Slide rest

The Pittler C3 slide-rest

The Pittler slide-rest is quite unique and the same design is also used on the B2 and large engineering D lathes. The saddle casting can be swivelled over so the slide shank can be fitted in either the front or rear of the bed. When fitted with the socket at the rear of the bed then the slide is fully supported by resting on top of the saddle. However this limits access for turning larger work pieces so then turning is done from the front of the bed. The shank is hollow on some versions of the C3 supplied with the ball turner. Threaded holes on both side of the tool block are for fitting of the drilling spindle or milling head.

Above: A snippet from an 1899 Pittler catalogue detailing the incredible range of movements of the slide and saddle, almost 13 million! and using the milling head an incredible one trillion, 679 billion, 616 million positions in total.

Left: underneath the slide shows the fixing for the bronze nut, the screws are all numbered. it also shows the worm near the handle, this is to operate the power cross-feed attachment when fitted.

right: the backlash adjustment screw, the hole is for a long adjustable depth cutting screw, a graduated scale aligns with markings in the saddle casting