Taig Mill Tail Stock

[mrmodfi]

Hello All,

   Here are some photos of the new tailstock I made for my 4th axis. Turning is very ridged with no deflection, as far as the mach up compression bolt I made. As usual, only time will tell with a new project. I plan to make a motor adaptor plate next, so I can mount a variable speed motor for better CNC lathe work. The best part of each component (4th Axis - Tail Stock - tooling plate) is that set up is a snap. Each, started upside down with a .260-W x .025-D channel that I mounted a guide block in. Then the base of each, was flipped over and the guide block seated into the center t-slot in the table. I located the center of the table (Y-axis) and the center of the base (X-axis) and completed the work. I drilled holes in the tooling plate for .125 pins. I can now load the plate, seat the taig vise up against two pins, and be within .0005 of square.     
                Thank you for viewing,

Ken Polley

[Overloaded]

Looking real good Ken !
Is the center spring loaded ?
Or possibly pushed forward with a screw from the back end ?

The more rigidity..the better.
Nice work,
Russ

[mrmodfi]

Russ,

The center is spring loaded, but is very ridged. Of course I haven't tried to load it down with a heavy cut. The drill chuck / dead center that came with my Taig lathe also loads into the tailstock. I just adjust the top two 10-32 cap screws for a slide fit and attach the lever handle ( well, after I make it!). I will up date my progress on the lathe / 4th axis set up as I go along.
Than you for you comment,

Ken

[RICH]

Ken,
 One of the things i did in making up a tailstock was to make sure that the base was perpendicular to the table and centerline.
Same goes for the rotary mounting. This way is it quite easy to accurately and quickly allign the two.
Just a thought.  
RICH

[mrmodfi]

Rich,

I covered that in my description. My milling plate, 4th axis, and tailstock have a guide block bolted to the under side that runs the length of each unit’s base, and slip fits the center “T-slot” of the table. I do not believe there is any way the 4th axis and the tailstock could not be in alignment with each other and the milling table. Look closely at the 4th axis photo; you will notice the guide block end in the center t-slot. It runs from front to rear of the 4th axis base plate. Even if a cap screw loosens, all the pieces are press fit into a .025 deep slot, which will prevent movement. As are the guide blocks.
    I tend to over engineer things, and yes it does take me longer to complete an attachment project. But from that point forward I become more efficient.

Thanks for commenting,

Ken

[RICH]

Hey Ken,
Like i say, can't read ....just look at pictures.
Good job,
RICH

[stjohn4]

Hi Ken,
awesome, can't wait to see the motor adaptor plate in situ!

many thanks,
Stjohn

[mrmodfi]

Hi John,

I did make the adaptor plate, and it worked well. Sorry I haven’t posted pictures yet..... I bought a 4x4 quad in early spring and have been out in the mountains every weekend. So my set up set’s patiently waiting for winter. I'll take some photo's of the setup as well as the new vise I made at work.

Thanks!

Ken

[stjohn4]

Hi Ken,
thanks for the reply, I look forward to seeing it. I am pretty new to playing with mach3, how did you setup the new tail stock in the software?

cheers,
Stjohn

[stjohn4]

Hi Ken,
did you have any problems driving the extra weight from the tail stock motor? What axis motors are you using?

many thanks,
St.john