Manufactured by Mendip Machine Tools Ltd. Of 13 Dowery Square, Hotwells in Bristol, the Mendip drill point grinding machine Model 88 was current during the 1950s and 1960s. With the ability to hold drills with diameters from 12.7 to 63.5 mm (0.5" to 2.5") of either the straight or Morse taper type, the Mendip could grind points from 80° to 180° and "fishtail" on 2, 3 or 4 flute right-hand drills. As an optional, extra-cost extra, provision for grinding left-hand flute drills could also be provided. The machine was equipped with Burnerd "Multi-size" blade-type collets, rack-stored on the end face of the grinder. These ingenious collets, also widely used on lathes, were capable of being adjusted over a range of 3.175 mm (1/8"), hence any standard or modified drill bit between the maximum and minimum limits could be gripped securely
The grinder had a wheel motor of 3 h.p., a drill oscillation one of 1/2 h.p. and a coolant pump motor of 1/12 h.p.
Supplied complete with 3-phase electrics - or single-phase electrics to a customer's requirements - the Mendip came equipped, as standard, with four collets of a size to a customer's choice, a grinding wheel, diamond dresser, spanner, grease gun and a tin of coolant. In 1967 the Model 88 was priced at £1100 with extra collets £7 : 12s : 2sd each.
If you have a Mendip drill point grinder, do please sent the writer some pictures.
The full specification is displayed below.