Machine tools

A turning machine comprising a rotatable chuck for supporting a workpiece to be machined, two simultaneously and independently operable turrets for carrying tools for machining the workpiece, one of said turrets having a free tool station devoid of tools and each turret being supported by a toolslide with respect to which it can be indexed about an axis parallel to the rotational axis of the chuck, said axes being on opposite sides of said rotational axis, both toolslides being movable along slideways parallel to said rotational axis and one at least of said toolslides also being movable along a slideway perpendicular to said rotational axis, a ram mounted on the toolslide carrying said one turret at the side of said one turret remote from the chuck, said ram being movable with respect to said toolslide in a direction towards and away from the chuck, and a support member rotatably mounted on the ram, said support member being movable by said ram past said station devoid of tools to support the end of the workpiece remote from the chuck.