Outboard tail center; useful? useless? impractical? impossible?

- A
- Arch
  
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posted
18 years ago

Wed, Jan 18, 2006 10:37 PM

I like to keep a supportive center post or an extendable narrow tail spindle as long as possible when turning tall vessels, but I also like to hollow them with the headstock swivelled.

Is it feasible to have both? If so, have any of you thought about or cobbled up a tail center that's outboarded from the tailstock or lathe bed to support a swivelled blank? Perhaps a fixed #2MT on some sort of adjustable shaft with the same curve as the rotating headstock or an adjustable MT on a straight shaft?

Any ideas or suggestions? If not, I'll go quietly. :)

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

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- M
- Mike
  
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posted
18 years ago

Thu, Jan 19, 2006 5:09 AM

I think to have a usable tailstock it has to be attached somehow to the headstock, if not it could wonder all over the place not providing any real support. By attached it could be via gravity - but it's have to be really heavy - it has to stay aligned with the headstock! No matter what!

But if you have a tall item you want to hollow, unless it is too large for the swing of the lathe, turn the outside first using the tailstock (on the lathe) then when you swivel the headstock to hollow you don't want the TS in the way, but you do need a good (heavy, unmovable) tool rest.

Just my ideas

mike

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- Leo Lichtman
  
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posted
18 years ago

Thu, Jan 19, 2006 7:56 AM

"Arch" wrote: (clip) Is it feasible to have both? (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Build a steady rest which is capable of being hung out in front of the ways. Then, your procedure will be:

1.) Turn the outside of the vessel on axis, using the tail stock for support. 2.) Do your initial hollowing on axis, using a Forstner bit supported in the tailstock. 3.) Remove the tailstock, and swing the headstock to a convenient angle for hollowing. 4.) Apply the cantilevered steady rest to support the bowl in its off-axis position, and complete the inside.