Abstract: An apparatus for retracting the tool from a machined piece on a machine comprising a movable assembly for holding the tool or the piece having a guide means for taking up play by lateral biasing.This apparatus involves means intended for providing lateral displacement of the said movable assembly away from its position for taking up play so as to separate the tool from the piece after machining.For a machine tool with an indexible rotating tool-holding spindle, the tool is indexed in a plane approximately parallel to that of the means for taking up play prior to activation of the above mentioned means which is utilized to separate the tool from the piece.