395,339. Drilling and end-facing rails. MASCHINEN & BOHRGERATEFABRIK A. WIRTH & CO., Kommandit-Ges., Erkelenz, Rhineland, Germany. Jan. 1, 1932, No. 99. Convention date, Jan. 23, 1931. [Classes 83 (ii) and 83 (iii).] In a combined rail-drilling and end-facing machine, the clamping means for securing the rail in position during the drilling and endfacing operations comprises a single clamping plunger which is carried by an extension of the headstock supporting the end-facing means, and overhangs the latter so that the plunger can act on the rail at a point close to the endfacing means. A retractable gauge carriage is provided in the plunger-supporting means having means thereon for forcing the rail against an adjustable rear stop for locating the rail in the proper position with respect to the end-facing means. The gauge carriage is adapted to support the end-facing means during fitting and removal from the machine. A clamping plunger 1, Fig. 1, is carried by an extension 1a of the headstock 5<1> which supports the end-facing means 5 ; the plunger is actuated by a motor 2, Fig. 2, through a worm 132 and a worm wheel 131 on a vertical screwed shaft ; a slipping clutch 32<1> prevents the pressure from becoming excessive. The drill spindles mounted in headstocks 3a, 3b adjustable on guides 29 are rotated by a motor 4. The drills are fed by any suitable mechanism operated from the motor 4 through drop worm drive controlled by hand lever D ; wheel 26 permits of hand feed. The automatic feed may be disengaged after the drilling is completed by suitable throw-off mechanism. The end-facing cutter head 5 is driven by a motor 6 through change speed gearing and a yielding coupling 34. Rapid axial feed of the cutter spindle is effected by a motor E through a feed screw. The normal working feed is effected by the motor 6 through shaft 36, gears 364, 365, 366, drop worm 361 and a worm wheel 362 mounted on the shaft 363. The worm 361 is mounted on a pivoted member 367 operated by a pedal B. A toothed wheel for transmitting the motion from the motor E is also fixed on the shaft 363, suitable switching mechanism comprising a relay of any known kind actuated under the control of the pedal B being provided to interrupt the circuit of the motor E when the worm is moved into engagement with the worm wheel 362. An automatic stop motion for the feed is provided of any suitable kind to disconnect the worm 361 from the wheel 362 when the cutter head has travelled the required distance to effect the end-facing. A gauge carriage 11, Fig. 3, is accommodated in a guide channel 51 in the headstock 5<1> close to the cutter head 5, and is movable transversely of the machine on rollers 5a. A cam lever 12a, Fig. 4, is pivoted on the carriage, and is actuated by a hand-lever 12 by which the carriage is movable ; movement of the carriage is limited by a bolt 55 engaging a slot 54 in the carriage. The gauge carriage is positioned in front of the cutter head and a rail 7 fed up to it on the roller bed 8. An adjustable back stop 14 is then fixed in the required position to determine the length of the finished rail, and the rail forced back against it by means of the cam lever 12a. The carriage is then pushed back in its guide channel and the end-facing operation commenced. The stop 14, Fig. 5, is mounted on a vertical spindle 142 resting on a bar 143, one end of which is pivoted at 146, the other end being connected to the core of a solenoid 145 by means of which the stop is raised into its operative position. A spring 152 cushions downward movement of the stop under gravity. The stop is horizontally adjustable by means of a screw 148. The stop may alternatively be moved into and out of its operative position by hydraulic or pneumatic means with distant control from the operating station of the machine, or by hand. The forward end of the gauge carriage 11 is provided with an arcuate seat 120, Fig. 4, which serves to support the cutter head 5 during its assembly or removal from the machine.