I recently bought a used JET 1236 lathe, and I just checked the centers, by locking the tailstock down close to the headstock, and it looks to me like they are off slightly. (Not surprised, this is an old blue lathe.)
I’m not very clear on two issues: one, how do I accurately check the tailstock at the other end of the bed?
And two, if I have to shim the tailstock, (and it looks like that is the case) to use a four jaw chuck, don’t I have to shim it (and, therefore, check it) wherever I happen to need it?
That is, when I slide it down the bed, then lock it down, doesn’t it need to be checked and shimmed every time it’s moved?
Replies
Puton a faceplate that doesn't wobble and check to see if the face is square to the length of the bed. If not,, shim it.. Then check your tail center against a headstock center. If shimming is needed, the shim pack will be good anywhere along the bed providing the ways are flat.
Dick
Not a problem.
On a wood lathe it makes no difference if the centers of the head stock and tail stock don't quite line up, the cutting is all done freehand, there is no need for high precision.
Thanks, John! :)
there is no problem if you are turning between centres. the problem arises when you ar using the tailstock in conjunction with trying to do a function on the tailstock, eg; drilling a hole. . there are quite a few instances where a close proximity is required in that relationship
there are no real standards that go with this alignment, ecept for a US military requirement that the runout between head and tailstock be in the range of .004-.005" measured at a distance of 12" away from the h/stock. this is a fairly old std.
mount a dial indicator on a magnetic base onto a 6" faceplate and dial it aound the quill of the tailstock. that will give you the measure of how far off it is. I did get mine within .0015" at 12" away. when I bought my 260 general back in 82 it was .090" off up close. it doesn't work very well if you are securing a lid on a lidded container with the tailstock with any kind of variation
ron
it won't matter if you are turning something like this. this was about a 15 ft mahogany flagpole for a 67' park isle boat for a fellow that lived in texas
Not likely a problem
Thank heaven for John White, eh? I thought I had the same problem with my blue 1236, but then I realized the tailstock can tilt a little when locked down if I didn't square it up and keep it flat on the rails.
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