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Author Topic: Restore Lathe Tailstock  (Read 7606 times)

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Restore Lathe Tailstock
« on: April 19, 2011, 08:12:36 AM »
Greetings All.
  I have a lathe that has the base of the tailstock worn a bit from sliding on the bed / ways.
The centerline of the tailstock is below the centerline of the headstock and angled downward slightly towards the carriage.

It has the left / right adjustment so the base is two piece.

What is the common procedure to restore the tailstock to the proper alignment.

Thanks,
Russ
 :)
Re: Restore Lathe Tailstock
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2011, 09:38:55 AM »
re-machine the ways and space it to add the difference.

Offline Tweakie.CNC

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Re: Restore Lathe Tailstock
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2011, 12:08:20 PM »
Russ,

John Mac did the saddle of his lathe with a low friction epoxy compound - follow the link here http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,18189.0.html
May be worth further investigation (seems simple enough stuff to make).

Tweakie.
PEACE
Re: Restore Lathe Tailstock
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2011, 12:25:20 PM »
Re-machine and shim ... sort of what I was assuming. Thanks a.t.

Tweakie, that file is too big for here, will pick it up when I get out.
One initial concern with the plastic would be the compression from clamping the tailstock in position. Far more psi than an apron or sliding situation.
Whaddyathink ?
Thanks,
Russ

Offline Tweakie.CNC

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Re: Restore Lathe Tailstock
« Reply #4 on: April 19, 2011, 12:30:04 PM »
Russ,

An alternative thought - if your tailstock is adjustable and in two parts then could you fit horizontal shims between the two parts to raise the height ?

Tweakie.
PEACE
Re: Restore Lathe Tailstock
« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2011, 12:34:45 PM »
Yes, that is exactly what I was referring to , and what I assumed angel tech was meaning also.
I could invert the lower block on the surface grinder and get it exactly parallel, then shim as you suggest to get the proper height.

Thanks,
Russ

Offline Tweakie.CNC

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Re: Restore Lathe Tailstock
« Reply #6 on: April 19, 2011, 12:48:41 PM »
Sorry, senior moment  :-[

Tweakie.
PEACE
Re: Restore Lathe Tailstock
« Reply #7 on: April 19, 2011, 12:56:10 PM »
No appologies necessary Tweak. Glad to see we are on the same track.
btw ... do you have an app for the filler material mentioned earlier ?
Sort of anxious to see it in use, looks to have good potential.
I might get the info dwnlded over the weekend.
See Ya,
Russ

Offline RICH

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Re: Restore Lathe Tailstock
« Reply #8 on: April 19, 2011, 05:22:00 PM »
What to do with a worn tailstock.
All was machined based on the tailstock center lines.
-2 made //  to 1
-base attached to the tailstaock and 3 made // to 2
-A right angle used to mount and then 5 made // to 4
Then i also added a base and machined it //  in all planes.
The center is true to all surfaces .....used a nice carbide end mill. Notice i milled a flat on the top
of the tailstock so i could mount it to the mill table. I removed the tailstock center holder and used a nice long piece of  ground round
to indicate it in.
Done three of them like this....no grinding....  ;)

I dont like epoxy because your going to get metal into it and it may mar the lathe bed surfaces.
RICH
Re: Restore Lathe Tailstock
« Reply #9 on: April 19, 2011, 05:37:14 PM »
Nice job Rich, mine has to go back on my lathe.
The truing at #2 and 3 might remove .01 to .02" total although I might not machine it @ #2, just at #3.
Guess I'll shim up the difference @ #2.
I hate grinding when I can mill instead. I have some new carbide and will go that route first then.
The base has 1 inverted V and a flat so it shouldn't be too bad.
Thanks.