HF 8x12 Lathe - now an 8x21 - tailstock extension homemade

gorlosky

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HF 8x12 Lathe - now an 8x21 - tailstock extension homemade
Well I needed extra length and found an easy way to get 21 inches out of the 8x12. I used a 5x5x5 solid webbed angle plate from use-enco.com for $30. The way was made from 1/2 x 1/2 cold steel from onlinemetals.com. I used 5/16 - 18 screws to attach to the lathe frame and 6-32 for attaching the way to the angle plate. The final milling cut was done by a machine shop to exact thousands, so the way bolted right in perfectly aligned with not shimming. The end of the lathe was perfectly square which that was nice. I had planned for 4 screws holding the way, and made the piece ahead of time, but when the angle plate was milled for where the way would go, there was porosity, so only 2 screws holding the way, and that is plenty. What is key is to make sure that the underside of the angle plate is centered so there is enough room on either side for the tailstock under block to grip on both sides. Althouigh the angle plate is about 5/8 thick, a nice entry slant on the underside allows a match to the 1/2 underside for the tailstock to slide smoothly. The 45 degree slope of the way was made by holding the 1/2 x 1/2 in 2 vee blocks then cutting the slant on a bandsaw.

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PARTPG=INLMKD&PMPXNO=948518&PMAKA=418-4325
http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?pid=7175&step=4&showunits=inches&id=230&top_cat=197

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This is a great idea. Think I will have to look into it if not for permanent attachment then something that can be fittered when required then removed?

Barry
 
Wow. You're a genius. Who'd have thought one could accurately extend a machine tool's bed? I wonder if I could do it with my little Atlas - it only has flat ways anyway, no V to worry about.
 
That's wonderful..! What a nice bit off work, I love stuff like this, seeing how people find ways around problems or ways to expand the capabilities of a machine tool, Great job...!:))
 
But,your carriage cannot reach all the way to the tailstock center. Have you made long,offset cutters to reach?

Many years ago,I had to turn some brass cylinders about 6" in dia.,and about 5" long,on my 10" Jet lathe. I could not get the carriage beside these cylinders,which fortunately were made of soft,cast yellow brass. I made a long tool out of round drill rod,that extended around the side of the cylinders to turn the castings smooth,and add some details. Got away with it due to the easy cutting brass.
 
That looks like just what I need for rifle barrels. I will see if I can copy your design. As to the carriage not going all the way to the tailstock, I think I will just reverse the work piece to do the other end.

Thanks for all the pictures. They are each worth 1000 words.
 
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