What is this tool for/

[Swallowtail]

Another item which appears to be shop bought, has bronze bush in the holder with a tool steel cutter held in the clamps. There are 3 or 4 of the bushes. I'm wondering if it's for turning small axles or the like. The previous owner was big into steam locos and I have a part finished one 'Rainhill' which I'm not sure what to do with. Got the plans and so forth.

[Jasonb]

It is used to turn down long slender rods to a smaller diameter, the bush supports the work and the cutting tool is adjusted to take it down to the required diameter in one pass. Goes by various names such as running down tool, small diameter turning tool, etc.

[steamer]

I've heard it called a "Button Tool"....

Dave

[Swallowtail]

Thanks for the inputs. I've had a look on YT and there are a few good examples of it in use, so I'll be hanging on to it

[cnr6400]

These used to be called a "box tool" by the old timers in the first two shops I worked in. Very handy for small dia rods to be taken down in diameter quickly - single pass to get to final diameter. A handy item to have. Was there a tobacco tin with it, containing about 80 different size bronze bushings for the tool?  That was the traditional accessory for these tools in the shops I mentioned. "Erinmore Flake" was one brand on the tins I remember.

[wagnmkr]

Used to smoke Erinmore Flake as part of a pipe mixture. Had a bunch of the tins at one point with small r/c electric bits in them.

[Steve Crow]

It is also used in horology. Called a slender turning tool by J. Malcom Wild. Apparently "based on the toolboxes used on Swiss automatics". There are a few photos and a description on page 108 of his Wheel and Pinion Cutting book.

I have been meaning to get round to making one for some time.

Steve

[Steve Crow]

Looking at the photos in my book again, your tool looks identical to the Wild tool in every way. As Mr. Wild actually makes and supplies specialist tools to the clockmaking industry, I suspect it is one of his, if so, that will be a fine quality tool.

They are still offered on his website though with an improved design for adjusting centre height - http://www.j-m-w.co.uk/tools3.html. No price of course!

Steve

[Jasonb]

Looks like the Chronos one to me https://www.chronos.ltd.uk/product/small-diameter-turning-tool-2/

[crueby]

Clever little tool, the set of bushings looks very important, easy enough to make more sizes as needed.   

[Steve Crow]

Looking at the Chronos tool I think you are right. I didn't know they sold this. It still looks identical to the Wild one though.

Steve