A coned plate is a circular plate having several conical holes of various sizes; this plate is fastened to a pedestal or standard by means of a fixing bolt which is put through the middle of the plate, and the standard is fastened to the lathe-bed when the apparatus is required for use. A coned plate is required for boring ends of rods, bars, axles, and other work, and the piece to be bored is supported in a lathe at one end by means of the conical pivot near the chuck, and at the other end by means of the coned plate. That hole in the plate, which is of suitable diameter for the end of the piece, is selected to support it, and the standard belonging to the plate is bolted to any place along the lathe-bed according to the length of the piece to be bored. While the work is thus held, it is rotated by means of a gripper, and the centre of the rod or axle is centred, bored, or, if necessary, screwed to the desired shape. A coned plate is represented in Fig. 458, which denotes a pedestal or standard, having the circular plate attached in the manner described. Fig. 459 denotes a standard with a joint, shown by J, for the convenience of shifting the coned plate when it is necessary to take out one piece of work from the lathe and put another piece into its place. A standard of this sort is useful when a large number of rods or axles are to be bored, to avoid unfixing and fixing the apparatus to the lathe-bed every time a fresh piece of work is put into the lathe.