Made in Taiwan - and hence typical of the country's machine tools in being of decent quality yet competitively priced- the Pinnacle Model PBM 450A universal tool and cutter grinder was first manufactured in the early 1970s.
Similar in concept to heavy, very much more complex professional-quality universal grinders such as the Jones & Shipman 315, this was a highly versatile yet compact unit with a long table travel and an excellent work capacity. Distributed worldwide using a variety of names chosen by importers and dealers, in the UK it was imported by the Excel Machine Tools of Coventry badged as the "Pinnacle" and, possibly, by other dealers, as the "Whitehead"
For the keen amateur, or small professional workshop where the sharpening of a variety of different cutter types might be required, this makes an almost ideal machine. Cost-cutting features were few, but did include, instead of ones properly engraved dials, riveted-on-on stripes of metal acting as micrometer and other setting scales.
The grinder was sold complete, in a ready-to-run state on a fabricated sheet-steel sand with an electric-pump coolant system inside and a universal workhead - the latter having a swing over the table of 215 mm, a capacity between centres of 405 mm and able to be turned on its horizontal axis 15° each side of level and swivelled on its base through 360°. The spindle was machined with a No. 3 Morse taper socket, ideal for holding a good capacity collet chuck to grip cutters, etc.
Table longitudinal travel was 450mm with a swivel adjustment of 0 to 15° and a saddle front-to-back movement of 150 mm.
Mounted on a rise-and-fall column, the grinding wheel head could be lifted and lowered through a range of 150 mm with a swivel adjustment of 360° and a tilt of 45° each side of vertical. The largest wheel diameter that could be mounted was 130 mm with a maximum wheel speed 3,000 r.p.m. driven by the standard-fit, ½ h.p. 3-phase motor (single-phase being an optional extra).
In addition to the universal workhead and coolant system, the Pinnacle was supplied as standard with a single cup wheel, a tool-bit grinding attachment, a facemill holder, tooth rest, 1-inch diameter cutter-holding arbor, 3-Morse taper dead centre, the necessary tools - and an instruction manual.
The machine was 34 inches long, 30 inches front to back and 51" high and weighed approximately 485lb (220 kg). The full specification can be seen at the bottom of the page on the distributor's sales sheet..