Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998
Tailstock Handwheel Question
Tom Colligan, Peoria
>When putting a log on the lathe for spindle turning I feel I need to apply quite a bit of pressure with the tailstock's handwheel. I'm concerned that this horizontal pressure on the bearings (in the headstock?) can damage it down the road.
Is my concern warranted or does the design of a lathe take this into account? Tia,
Re: Tailstock Handwheel Question
john Lucas
>I've never had a problem with pressure from the tailstock however on spindle turning you shouldn't need that much pressure. Nut notches in the end of your spindle for the drive center or drive it in with a wooden mallet. I generally back off on the tailstock spindle to keep the spindle from flexing.
Re: Tailstock Handwheel Question
RonZ
>What lathe are you using?
Re: Tailstock Handwheel Question
Brad Vietje
>Will depend somewhat on the lathe you use, as Ron asks.
On many intro and mid-level lathes, the pressure you exert with the tailstock ram is only working against a skinny little C-ring stuck in a groove on the ram cylinder -- that's all there is to push against. Some lathe bearings will take the pressure better than others, and they tend to be the more expensive machines.
Safe Spinning,
Brad Vietje
Thetford, VT
Re: Tailstock Handwheel Question
Tom Colligan
>Thanks; I'm using the Jet 1442. Some of the logs have the wax sealant on the ends which also needs a little pressure.
Re: Tailstock Handwheel Question
RonZ
>If that's the case you're best way of doing things would be removing the drive center and tap one end in for the tail stocl tap it in all the way on the drive side. You do run a risk of over taxing the bearings and might have possible tailstock slippage.
