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Shanks' Patent Slide Rest
circa 1843

A interesting screw-feed, compound slide assembly designed to be carried on a stem normally fitted with a hand T-rest - by which means a light, plain-turning lathe could be converted to undertake light-duty metal or precision wood turning. Not only was the arrangement of the cutting tool unusual, but both screw-feed motions were by a pair of concentrically mounted handles. One acting directly, the other though reduction gearing to a rack held in the top surface of the lower slide. This was a design that did not, apparently catch on.