Forepart and joint lasting machine

Disclosed is an improved form of forepart and joint lasting machine of the type described in U.K. Patent No. 2,171,589. In order to accomodate pointed and rounded toe shoes, the front toe pincer assembly is mounted for controlled sliding movement towards and away from the toe portion of the last and the platens, carrying the remaining toe pincer and the side pincer assemblies are mounted on pivot members in slidable engagement with slots in the machine base member, the slots extending outwardly of the longitudinal axis of the last at an angle of about 90 DEG thereto. Hydraulic piston and cylinder devices are provided to control the movement of the pivots along the respective slots and to cause the platens to pivot about the respective pivot axes.