The Clisby 2.5" swing by 4.5" (or 10.5") between centres lathe  (63 mm x 114 mm and 266 mm) was designed by Harold Clisby, who was responsible for the original design, engineering and production of the original lathe made by Sheerline. His first lathe was probably the smallest "real" one in the world - albeit a plain turning type - with bed constructed from an extrusion of aircraft-quality aluminium (6061 temper 6) and using two dovetails, one on the outside for the saddle slides and a second in the centre to provide an accurate location for the headstock and tailstock. The "0" Morse taper headstock spindle had bore of  0.318" (8.1mm) and carried a 1/2" 20 t.p.i. (N/F) thread; it ran on simple plain bearings lubricated by felt wicks - a very light sewing-machine oil was recommended - and proved a reliable unit over long periods of use.
Although a compound slide rest was not fitted (nor were graduated dials on the feedscrews until 2001) the carriage could be propelled along the bed under the influence of a Flexispeed-like overhung leadscrew of 20 t.p.i. and 1/4" diameter. A wood-turning version, ideal for making the tiny parts needed for dolls' house furniture, was also produced  - and supplied as standard with a 4-jaw chuck and hand-tool rest.
An interesting feature of the machine was its drive system: included as standard equipment with all models was a 5-pole 12V DC motor that drove the spindle through a toothed belt at a fixed speed of 1500 rpm. (the makers recommend using a 12 volt car battery, DC battery charger or a 12 volt DC transformer as a power source). The limitation of just one turning speed could be overcome easily by using one of the many DC variable-speed controllers on the market (see below) or employing a second-hand variable-speed sewing machine motor - it was also very simple to arrange a drive to the large, overhung pulley on the end of the headstock spindle from either underneath or behind lathe - or even from above.
A range of simple but useful accessories was produced: a larger 4-jaw chuck than the one provided as standard, a 3-jaw Jacobs drill chuck adapted for headstock mounting, faceplates for both the metal and wood lathes, miniature wood-turning tools, a wood-screw chuck and wood-turning "drive dog", a hand rest for the metal lathe, a two-way toolpost, tailstock drill chuck, vertical slide and various kinds of turning tools.
One advantage of the machine was its very light weight (the metal lathe weighed 1.2 Kg, the wood lathe only 1 Kg ) and mounted on a small base board it was be possible even for a lady to lift on and off a workbench. It was also tiny - at 11" (279 mm) long,  3.5" (88 mm) high and 2 5/8" (67 mm) wide it must surely have rivalled even the incredible ManSon lathe for compactness.
Whilst it would have been difficult to argue that a Clisby was the only lathe you needed,  as a compliment to a larger machine - or for use in making the tiny fittings required for transport models of all kinds - it was as close to ideal (at the price) as you could find. Another advantage, seldom mentioned, is that with such a relatively inexpensive machine it was possible to engage in some creative engineering and modify its components for specialist purposes; if one wished, for example, to alter or adapt the headstock, slides or tailstock these items could be bought inexpensively as sub assemblies from the makers--and if the experiment failed, the cost incurred was very little.
Clisby also manufactured a miniature vertical miller, the CVM500, that stood  just 10 inches high and carried a tiny 6" x 19/16" table (153 mm x 40 mm) with a longitudinal travel of 33/4", a traverse of 21/2" and a vertical of 4". The machine was based upon what were, in effect, two lathe bed sections at right angles to each other. The machine was intended for light use on non-ferrous materials and again, whilst not the only machine a serious hobbyist would want it was, with its limited-power motor, an ideal tool for smaller, lighter intricate jobs and one on which the principals of milling could be safely taught to a young person.
The Clisby appears to have been marketed under the name "Nextek" for the German market.