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Centec Vertical Head
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The vertical head was produced in three versions; the first (Mk. 1)  shown at the bottom of the page, carried a bevel box at the back which turned the drive through ninety degrees - from where it was taken by a V belt forwards to the spindle; the next version (Mk. 2) had the drive completely enclosed within the body, but had no quill feed, whilst the final development (Mk. 3) was a beautifully-made head which incorporated both a fine down feed and a quick-action drill quill.

The very rare Mk. 1 vertical head with a bevel box at the back which turned the drive through ninety degrees - from where it was taken by a V belt forwards to the spindle.

Mk. 1 Head. The vertical posts were designed to carry a sheet-steel cover

The much-sort-after Centec Vertical Head Mk 3 with fine down-feed and drilling quill--the earlier Mk. 2 head (offered in later years as a cheaper alternative) lacked any form of quill feed.
The quill had a No. 2 Morse taper - although a few late models are to be found with the much-superior 30 International - a feed of 2 inches with a maximum distance from nose to table of  8" with a No. 2 Morse taper and 73/16" a 30 International. On the Automil (these are more commonly found with the 30 International) the clearance was 107/8" and 12" on the 2B and 2C. The whole head weighed about 70 lbs.
The drawbar was threaded 3/8" B.S.W. and both the plain vertical head - and early examples of the sliding quill head - were produced with the top of the draw-bar thread exposed. This is very dangerous; wisps of hair are magically attracted to the rotating thread - and can quickly lead to the entanglement the whole scalp. If you are using one of these heads either make a secure cover - or get a short hair cut…..

Various shapes and sizes of cover were fitted to guard the belt drive to the head. The one fitted to this machine is a factory standard unit for an early 2B.