The Kirkelie Co., also known as the George E. Kirkelie Co., manufactured an early quick-change tooling system for lathes. It was one of the first, if not the very first, to use complementary dovetails on the tool post and tool holder. The patented Kirkelie system was flawed in that in lacked a provision to keep chips and other debris out of the dovetails, which compromised accuracy. The company was active from the late 1940s to the early '60s.

Information Sources

• 1952 issue of Machinery.

  Tool-Holder and Boring Adapters for Lathes—Tool-holder with component boring adapters designed to fit all standard engine and turret lathes. Features to increase production have been incorporated in this equipment just introduced by the Kirkelie Co., 8717 Darby St., Northridge, Calif. Vertical adjustment of tool bits can be mode without moving the bits in their holders, and no shims are need for height adjustment. Accurate duplication of cuts is possible with any number of tool bits or operations. The tool bits can be removed with holder adapters for resharpening without changing the set-up. The tool bars can be removed vertically, eliminating the necessity of moving the carriage back. This reduces wear on the carriage and bed of a lathe.

• 1961 issue of American Machinist. "400 Series, 20 to 60-in. swing, 2-in. max toolbit capacity; No. 0 jewelers lathe, max capacity, 5/16 in. Use of the toolposts and adapters, made from high-grade steel, is said to assure 60 to 150% in time and money saving. George E Kirkelie Co, 8717 Darby St, Northridge, Calif".