Hi Graham, I agree you don't need to offset the tailstock to turn tapers, but why not keep the adjustment well locked down yet available for the 'you never knows' that often occur on machines with no adjustments. I would worry just as much about the 'permanent' fix being or staying right as I would about the offset. IOW, if it ain't broke, etc. Only my opinion.
I hope not too OT, but briefly; I have been messing around with interposing a universal joint from a 3/4 socket set onto a tail center offset (from the tailstock) much more than that allowed by metal lathes. Why? I want to support a=A0long, very eccentric spindle blank. Any suggestions? Better ideas? Scorn? TIA, Arch
Fortiter,