Broaching machine

A support system for a broach utilized in apparatus for broaching holes in a workpiece, said support system comprising:

• a pulling head which attaches to a leading end of the broach and is utilized to pull the broach through the workpiece;
• a trailing end support which supports the trailing end of the broach and is slidably disposed in the broaching apparatus;
• an intermediate support, which supports the broach intermediate its ends and which is slidably disposed in the broaching apparatus;
• said intermediate support having a bridge portion slidably disposed thereon and means for moving said bridge portion downwardly as the intermediate support approaches the workpiece to allow the broach to slide thereover without contacting the intermediate support.