Abstract: An extension tool is provided for operating handwheels, such as those found on locomotive handbrakes. The tool includes a spinning handle and a tool body. The handle freely rotates about a longitudinal axis and provides a user with a spinning grip, allowing him or her to quickly and easily turn a handwheel. The tool body includes two or more jaws that clamp to the handwheel. The tool body additionally includes a screw mechanism for selectively tightening or releasing the jaws, in order to respectively attach or detach the tool from the handwheel as desired. Preferably, the screw mechanism further includes a drawbar that extends through an interior of the handle, and is adapted to move longitudinally to rotate the jaws. The drawbar is moved by rotating a threaded drawbar nut at an end of the tool.

Abstract: An extension tool is provided to improve operation of handwheels, for example by allowing railroad operators to more safely reach the handbrake wheel of a train car. The tool includes a head with an upper tapered jaw designed to fit against the handwheel rim and particularly to fit the junction of the handwheel spoke and the handwheel rim circumference. The jaw may be a tapered circular rotating block. Below the jaw is a lower block designed to press against the outer circumference of the handwheel rim. The tool may also include a recess for operating a quick release lever on a train car.

Abstract: An extension tool is provided for operating handwheels, such as those found on locomotive handbrakes. The tool includes a spinning handle and a tool body. The handle freely rotates about a longitudinal axis and provides a user with a spinning grip, allowing him or her to quickly and easily turn a handwheel. The tool body includes two or more jaws that clamp to the handwheel. The tool body additionally includes a screw mechanism for selectively tightening or releasing the jaws, in order to respectively attach or detach the tool from the handwheel as desired. Preferably, the screw mechanism further includes a drawbar that extends through an interior of the handle, and is adapted to move longitudinally to rotate the jaws. The drawbar is moved by rotating a threaded drawbar nut at an end of the tool.

Abstract: A modular lathe bed system is provided including various lathe designs for incorporating the modular lathe bed into a lathe. The bed system includes a machine mounting block design which may be used to support the lathe headstock, cross-slide, and tailstock. A sliding lock system secures and stabilizes the machine mounting blocks, allowing them to slide or be locked in place. The machine mounting blocks move on a modular way bed including two upright bed tracks. The bed tracks and their connecting structure allow for a modular and extendible way bed.

Abstract: An extension tool allows operators to more safely reach the handbrake wheel of a train car. The tool includes a head with an upper tapered jaw designed to fit against the handwheel rim and particularly to fit the junction of the handwheel spoke and the handwheel rim circumference. The jaw may also be a tapered circular rotating block. Below the jaw is a lower block designed to press against the outer circumference of the handwheel rim. The lower block also extends from the front side of the central body along the lower end; however, the lower block extends a shorter distance from the front side than does the upper block, so as to provide a clearance for a moving handwheel operated with the tool. The tool may also include a recess for operating a quick release lever on a train car.

Abstract: A modular lathe bed system is provided including various lathe designs for incorporating the modular lathe bed into a lathe. The bed system includes a machine mounting block design which may be used to support the lathe headstock, cross-slide, and tailstock. A sliding lock system secures and stabilizes the machine mounting blocks, allowing them to slide or be locked in place. The machine mounting blocks move on a modular way bed including two upright bed tracks. The bed tracks and their connecting structure allow for a modular and extendible way bed.