How to build an accurate tailstock for Harig Grind-All and baseplate?

[skippermdj]

I recently acquired a nice Harig #1 (I believe, 3" center height) Grind-all mounted on their hardened steel baseplate. I'd like to fabricate a tailstock that will be very precisely inline and on center for cylinderical grinding. I have a surface grinder, mill, lathe, shop-grade surface plate and some good measurement tools and believe I can do accurate work if I take my time and am careful. What I don't have is a clue on how to approach this or how to design the tailstock so I can get it up to the standards of precision of the Grind All.
Any suggestions?
thanks!

 

[Moderatemixed]

Hey there..... I’d suggest doing what most do, find a picture or perhaps the specifications for the commercially made item and make it as close to those dimensions/specs. The rest of it is “by guess and by gosh” to quote the experienced guys.


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[Flyinfool]

Rather than work so hard to hit precise dimensions, make it adjustable so that it can be simply dialed in to final dimension and then locked down. This will also give you the ability to NOT make a perfect cylinder if that is what you need. Think along the lines of a lathe tail stock that can be locked down on center or offset if required.

I wonder if something like the tail stock for my rotory table could be adapted for your use. It is adjustable and was not very expensive.

 

[skippermdj]

Mikey - I've been thinking along the same lines. Found several plans for an adjustable tailstock on homemadetools.net. What I want to be able to do is grind without a taper within a couple of tenths over 6 inches, give or take. I'm open to suggestions. On my own I usually get where I want to go, but find out later there were MUCH easier ways to do it.

 

[Cheeseking]

Here a few pics of my grind all with the tailstock. Hope it helps the reverse engineering. Has an Interesting method of adjustment on the horizontal plane.

 

[skippermdj]

Thanks for the pictures! very helpful!

 

[easymike29]

skippermdj
You should know that the #1 is not designed for continuous cylindrical grinding. You will quickly lose the preload on the bearing if used for production work. Aside from that if only used occasionally it's no problem. You will however quickly get tired of spinning that handle especially on 6 inches long parts.
If you do want to do production work you might consider the Harig "lectric centers.

Eugene