Dirt Cheap Automatic Tailstock Feed for Your Metal Lathe

[tmate3]

There are a number of lathe operations, such as center drilling, in which an automatic tailstock feed would be useful. This is easily accomplished in the manner shown in the photos. A clamping shaft collar is secured to the tailstock spindle. A forked bracket, mounted on the carriage engages the shaft collar. With the tailstock clamp slightly loosened, the longitudinal feed advances the carriage and tailstock at the desired speed.

[Toolmaker51]

In mold making, especially deep cavities, this was accomplished differently. But that equipment was physically much larger, attaining, ~.008 to ~.025 per revolution.
By linking carriage to tailstock with eyebolts and chain or a tie bar. The advantage of tie bar, interrupting feed, and joggling handwheel functioned as a chip breaker. The tailstock clamp was not engaged, pulling from below let ways do their job.

I'd hesitate loading a machine lead-screw this way, while a feed shaft is built for the job.

[DIYer]

Thanks tmate3! We've added your Automatic Tailstock Feed to our Lathe Accessories category,
as well as to your builder page: tmate3's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Automatic Tailstock Feed by tmate3

tags: tailstock

[madokie]

interesting way to do this,, FYI , some lathes have a threaded hole in the carridge that lines up with a threaded hole in the tailstock,,,a special bolt was supplied with lathe,, it was threaded on both ends,with a hex in the middle, to lock both carridge and tailstock together,, check your lathe out folks , it may have these two holes..

[hemmjo]

I had to drill over 100 parts once. After about the first 5, I removed tail stock and placed it between the headstock and carriage. Then use the carriage to push the tailstock.