A versatile apparatus for both cutting and grinding, lapping and polishing solid material to produce thin section specimens for analysis and quality control is disclosed herein and includes a support base upon which a quill assembly is mounted. The quill assembly is provided for imparting longitudinal movement to a power-driven rotationally movable spindle, grinding wheel, and cutting wheel, the latter two being connected with the spindle for rotational movement therewith. In this regard, the apparatus includes a differential screw and annular micrometer dial for effecting accurate longitudinal adjustment of the spindle. A sliding cross-plate is also mounted on the aforestated support base and is designed to be manually moved both toward and away from the grinding and cutting wheels. A specimen holder removably mounted on the sliding cross plate is designed to bring a pair of spaced apart specimens into contacting engagement with the wheels whereby one of the specimens will be in contacting engagement with a corresponding one of said wheels when the cross plate is moved toward the latter.