Tailstock retractor

[Cadillac STS]

I made this retractor because when drilling nylon advancing the usual way with the tailstock screw goes fine but then the time it takes to withdraw it makes the nylon melt. Now I can drill a hole in the nylon (For nylon bushings) and pull it back simply and easily by throwing the tailstock screw to let it loose and pulling the lever back. It can be used for going in or out. Has about a 3 inch throw.

Bonus question: The lever and link are from a well known piece of shop equipment. What is it from?

 

[dulltool17]

Whomever coined the phrase "necessity is the mother of invention" was referring to you, sir. I don't work with plastics, as a rule, but I understand their properties well enough to know that you have a very ingenious solution to the problem.

Good work!

 

[Cadillac STS]

That is HPDE plastic, like milk bottles are made of. Hard and the surface feels waxy. Machines very easily and I thought it would slide well and not mar up my ways. I though getting it to match the triangle way and sit right would be challenging but it was easy, just a band saw cut and it fit perfect. Worked great.

 

[Karl_T]

One KEWL solution. Thanks for sharing

 

[Joe in Oz]

I'm still stumped by the bonus question.... any more hints?
Brilliant adaptation. Thanks for sharing!
Joe

 

[Micke S]

The part looks like an old ring wrench or possibly a B&S connecting rod )

 

[Cadillac STS]

I'm still stumped by the bonus question.... any more hints?
Brilliant adaptation. Thanks for sharing!
Joe

From an older manual lathe. Which one?

 

[hman]

From an older manual lathe. Which one?

All I can think of is a turret lathe.

 

[Cadillac STS]

The linkage was part of the motor belt tensioning system...

 

[Mark_f]

Thanks for posting that. Very clever!

I think that would work well drilling aluminum, I constantly have to loosen the tail stock and drag it out by hand and push it back in and tighten again to clean the chips out. This would make that job easier.


Mark Frazier