How to re-align tailstock?

[mklotz]

Make a set of alignment buttons, e.g...

http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/t...-buttons-49099

In my construction notes in that article I indicate that the holes should be center-drilled. If your tailstock is badly out of alignment, then that operation may be problematic. A more accurate process would go like this...

Rough drill hole using tailstock
Bore hole to ensure its centered and cylindrical
Form 60 degree bevel on mouth of hole using compound rest

Once you've carefully made the buttons, save them. You'll need them to reset the tailstock the next time you set it over to turn a taper. [Although there are better ways than tailstock setover but that's not related to your problem.]