Frustration with tailstock alignment on PM1030 lathe

[T Bredehoft]

Try it. Put an indicator in position, clamp the tail stock, loosen one cross screw, tighten the other.

 

[Tozguy]

OK I see. The adjustment screws will overcome the clamping pressure from the locking bolt.
Thats basically how I do it, only not locked, just using light pressure on the parts to minimize preload on the screws.

 

[starr256]

The top and bottom parts are supposedly held fast by the opposing alignment screws and a small set screw. The idea is that their relative postiion to each other locked and independent of the hold down bolt. Problem is that they are not. You cannot adjust the horizontal alignment with holddown bolt under tension. So you loosen the holddown bolt, loosen the set screw, adjust the position wiht the opposing screws, retighten the set screw and teh holddown bolt a measure test. Personally, its a poor design. First, the threads on the opposing screws are too course. Second, setting the set screw modifies the horizontal position, as does the holddown bolt. I was wondering about the design on other lathes.