Tail/Headstock misalignment (or something)...

Paul Kierstead · 2004-11-19T16:32:19+00:00

Ah, more newbie question for y'all. I have greatly appreciated the help so far.So far in my experiments, I frequently do this:1) Turn something rough to round between centers using a spur and live center2) Cut a tenon on the head end using a parting tool3) Remove spur center and replace with Talon4) Take blank and put it in the Talon, pressing the tenon shoulder against the jaws5) Mount Drill chuck (with a drill) in tailstock6) Drill a hole in blankIn (5) I would expect the "hole" from the live center in the blank to line up quite close to the drill bit tip, assuming everything runs true. It doesn't; the drill bit is always off center. The blank runs *reasonably* true in this scenerio, but not perfectly. The bit is always off center in the same direction it seems. Of course, with small bits, this results in the bit flexing toward the little hole the live center made and gives you a slightly oversized hole. It is a cheap lathe (a Craftex from busy bee tools, something like Grizzly in the US).Where am I/lathe/combo going wrong, and what would I do to get everything lined up better?PKPS: The lathe has a rotating head; this is a cause of trouble, as even tightened down strongly it seems to be able to be moved by a good bump, i.e. catch. Could this be a cause of trouble? How would one fix it, outside of a welder?

Nov 19, 2004 24 Replies

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Derek Andrews 21 years ago

I don't know if anyone has suggested this already, but put centers in both headstock and tailstock. Retract the quill and bring the tailstock up, lock everthing and check for alignment. Now backoff the tailstock and extend the quill and check for alignment again. That will tell you if there is a problem with the tailstock. Measure any errors, and note if they are vertical or horizontal.

If the tailstock seems ok, the only way I can think of to test the rotating headstock is this. Rough out a cylinder, maybe 2x6, between centers. Now put the cylinder in the chuck, true it up and make a nice face on the end. Mark the center of the end face with the tip of a skew chisel, and bring up the tailstock center and check for alignment. Do this with both the quill in and out. Now carefully part off the cylinder, face it off, mark the center and test for alignment.

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Harry B. Pye 21 years ago

Also at Packard Woodworks both #1 and #2 Morse taper.

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Paul Kierstead 21 years ago

Thanks for the pointer! I ordered one from Packard ... I think. I placed the order, but there has been no confirmation email, your order has been shipped, that kind of thing. Maybe I'll have to drop them an email.

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George 21 years ago

They don't, but their word has always been good.

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Lyn J. Mangiameli 21 years ago

Paul, Packard is a family owned and run operation. It's a little larger than just Brad and Debbie, but not much. They are deeply into woodturning but not computers. This has its disadvantages, such as lack of automated confirmations and what is a rather primitive electronic ordering system--if they are out of town for a few days, or celebrating the holidays, you won't hear from them. But, and this is a big but, they make up for this,in spades, by really understanding woodturning and having a genuine interest in fellow woodturners---and they show this year in and year out.

So by all means drop them an email, for sometimes even with the best intentions things go awry, but be comfortable that you are dealing with great people, and that they will treat you right.

Lyn

Paul Kierstead wrote:

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