There is a 5 part Clarkson Mark2 article (applicable to the Mark1) in the MEW magazine (No.148 to No.153).
Mike Haughton, the author of the article, describes in detail the purchase, set up and use of a Mark2 in his workshop.
There is an article on the Clarkson Mark1 in MEW No 120, page 42.
The pages of the Operators Handbook and other useful grinder info is available on the CD from MaryPoppinsBag for about 7 pounds.
lathes.co.uk has more good information.
Please email me for the login details for the manuals.
↓ I recommend this free Government publication.
It is a good resource, especially if you do not know much about mounting or using a grinding wheel, or are unsure at any time.
Here are some notes on the Operators Handbooks, 1962, 1966, 1968, and 1971.
The pictures, instructions and tables in all 3 handbooks are virtually the same.
January 1961 = 2nd Edition (not shown here)
April 1962 = 3rd Edition
March 1966 = 4th Edition
March 1968 = 4th Edition
March 1971 = 6th Edition
The 1966 and 1968 4th Editions are perfectly identical (as one would expect).
I would guess that the 5th Edition of the Operators Handbook appeared when the company changed it's name around 1970.
I would be interested to hear from you if you have the 1st, 2nd and 5th Editions.
Here is some notes on the differences between the 1962 and 1966 handbooks (3rd and 4th Editions).
I have the 1962 Edition copy on the Mary Poppins Bag CD (MPB).
The MPB scans do not have the page numbers, it looks like they are cut off.
The MPB scans do not show who printed the handbook, and they may have cut this off.
The MPB scans do not show the yellow colouring that is present in later handbooks. Perhaps the 1962 was a black and white only print, or MPB erased the colour during the scans.
The MPB copy has lost a footnote on page 18.
A few of part numbers on page 6 of the handbook differ to the part numbers in the 1966 edition as follows ...
... The Universal Head is 91101 in 1962 and 91127 in 1966.
... The Adapter for Side and Face Cutters is 92601/2 in 1962 and 91120 in 1966.
... The Straight Shank Cutter Holder is 92606 in 1962 and not available in 1966.
... The No4 Morse Taper Holder is not available in 1962 and is 93548 in 1966.
The Tooth Rest codes, types, and availability on page 25 in 1962 are a little different to those in 1966.
There is an Autolock advert at the back of the 1962 handbook, not present in 1966 onwards.
The 1966 handbook is a 4th Edition, designed and produced by "Machinery", Brighton.
Interestingly the publishers have printed their name as "Machinery," Brighton. That should have been "Machinery", Brighton I feel.
The 1966 handbook company name is Clarkson (Engineers) Limited.
The 1971 handbook is a 6th Edition, designed and produced by Graphic Art Services (Brighton Ltd), Burgess Hill, Sussex.
The 1971 handbook company name is Clarkson International Tools Limited.
There is not too much difference in the content of the 1962, 1966 and 1971 handbooks.
The pictures and set up instructions are the same in all 3 handbooks.
The 'Recommended Grinding Wheels' tables on page 26 have been revised and altered in the 1971 handbook.
The references to the Norton company in the tables on page 26 have been removed in the 1971 handbook.
A black border appears around the yellow boxes in the 'Here's What You Need' graphics in the 1971 handbook. The black border was not present in the 1966 handbook.
It looks like the company that produced and printed the 1966 handbook also produced the 1971 handbook, again a company name change.
The Clarkson company name and contact details, on the inside of the front cover and on page 1, are different, due to the company name change around 1970.
Interestingly, in the 1971 handbook, the company name was changed to Clarkson International Tools Limited on page 1, but they omitted to change it on page 25.
(Thanks to Walter of Starlight Tool Services Ltd for the 1971 pdf, and for cleaning up a few of the PDFs).
The pictures inside the manual show a Mark1 tool and cutter grinder that has many differences to the Mark1 that is generally seen.
I obtained a copy of the manual from Peter Selby in New Zealand.
The pictures inside the manual show a Mark1 tool and cutter grinder that has many differences to the Mark1 that is generally seen.
Peter pointed out that the top and bottom slides on the early machine were square. Later machines have dovetailed ways on the slides.
The table on the early machine has a arced slot in the rotating table. This does not appear on later models.
The spindle housing casting is a different shape.
The spindle housing casting is fixed to the main support block by two bolts, instead the four bolts arrangement on later machines.
There is no nameplate.
Peter suggested that production costs were probably a factor affecting the changes.
This brochure came with my Clarkson.
The purchasers notes indicate the cost as '150 pounds +' or 'with bits 300 pounds'.
I presume the '+ 27 pounds' was delivery/installation charges?
↓ The purchasers notes indicate 'southern engineering'. Maybe these are the suppliers/installers?
Looks like they pondered on the '3 phase' there.
↓ March Mark1 Mark2 - Copy of the Operators Handbook (poor).
I bought this via ebay and it is a photocopy. It has 30 pages of information, but the pictures are extremely poor quality, so it is hard to make out the details in many of the black and white pictures.
A better buy would have been the original glossy March manual, also available on ebay.
I would be wary of anything purporting to be 'digitally remastered'.
↓ The literature on the right is a 21 page article on the Clarkson by Mike Houghton.
This is a 5 part Clarkson Mark2 article (applicable to the Mark1) in the MEW magazine (No.148 to No.153).
Mike Haughton, the author of the article, describes in detail the purchase, set up and use of a Mark2 in his workshop.
↓ Here is odd information/hearsay that I have seen on the internet.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=721350
Price for a Mark1 Tool and Cutter Grinder (in 2001) was 364.50 pounds plus VAT
Price for the drill/reamer jig was 1344.00 pounds plus VAT
Price for the Air Bearing Flute Grinding Attachment was 1190.00 pounds plus VAT
