Tapper turning attachment Vs cross slide

New to a metal lathe, and not even finished restoring my myford yet.

But the myford came with a tapper turning attachment and I am trying to see what use it might have

Hi there, Piero,

The advantage of the Myford taper turning attachment is that it allows/enables you to turn longer tapers than are possible using the set-over top-slide (but see below). In particular, the top-slide travel on the ML7 & Super 7 isn't long enough to turn a number 2 Morse taper whereas this is well within the range of the taper turning attachment.

In theory, it is possible to turn a MT2 taper using the set-over top-slide if you do it in two sections but 'harmonising' the two sections would require an amount of juggling which I, personally, would find prohibitive. (Maybe that would form a suitable successor to the four-jaw indicating challenge at the Bar-Z Bash?!?!)

Having replaced my standard cross-slide with the long cross-slide, I have sometimes wondered whether it might be worthwhile adapting the old cross-slide to make a 'super top-slide' that could be set over and used to machine MT2 tapers. But, so far, it's always been easier to buy an MT2 blank end arbor from ArcEuro.

Best regards,

Swarf, Mostly!

Edited By Swarf, Mostly! on 05/12/2016 11:23:23

I like the ArcEuro quote!!

only because I personly think they other the better quality components

Thanks for the time to explain the tapper attachment, It makes sence now

For accurtely turning (relatively) long shallow tapers. For example morse tapers. Although you can do shortish tapers by swinging the topslide round its much easier to set a taper turning attachment accurately. Need to use most, if not all, of the topslide travel on smaller machines like the Myford so there can be rigidity and accuracy issues. Especially if the machine is past the first flush of youth. Most authorities advise giving the topslide a good service and going over before attempting to turn accurate tapers on smaller lathes. Not a bad idea to make up a screw controlled adjuster device as per Geo. H Thomas to make it relatively easy to get it set right.

Taper turner needs to be set up correctly in the first place. Which can be a pain but when its done its done. I believe the Myford unit doesn't have screw adjustment as standard. One at each end is usually easier to get at. If this is the case its worth taking the time to make up an opposed pair of push screws to give controlled movement when setting. Geo. H Thomas described a nice micrometer device supposedly able to set things directly to a defined angle without fiddling. I have my doubts if its that good and consider the extra work as compared to simple push screws a waste.

Various techniques for setting taper turning units. Copying a master taper is good for things like more tapers and similar. My preferred method when making tapers off the drawing is to convert the taper from an angle into offset over a convenient distance, 3 or 4 inches usually, and either measure the offset over that amount of saddle travel using a dial gauge or make up a suitable setting spacer to use at one end. Clamp blocks to the bed to define saddle travel if you dont have a travel dial on the apron or a DRO. Accuracy in the tenths thou per inch range is fairly easy if your alteh is up to scratch.

Clive.

Swarf Mostly types faster..

Edited By Clive Foster on 05/12/2016 11:34:52

I would suggest that the biggest advantage(s) of the taper turning attachment apart from the extra length is the ability to use the power feed coupled with the longer slides of the attachment itself and the geometry all leading to a superior finish and accuracy.

The alternative is of course to either set-over the tail-stock or use a tail-stock taper turning accessory. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2MT-Shank-Taper-Turning-Attachment-for-Lathe-Tailstock-Suits-Myford-Similar-/122206488380?hash=item1c7413073c:g:N90AAOSwKOJYF4JI

Brian, the OP has a Myford taper turning attachment - he said it came with his lathe.

Martin, I didn't think of the power feed aspect but you're quite right about it.

Clive, only during the hours of daylight! My computer gaming wife, on her computer adjacent to mine, insists on gaming in darkness (Silent Hunter 4) and, although my keyboard is by Cherry, it's not one of their top end models with two-shot moulded key-tops!! Silk screened QWERTYUIOP plus entropy = some blank keys!!!!!

Best regards,

Swarf, Mostly!

P.S.: Should that be 'Silk screened QWERTYUIOP x entropy'?

Edited By Swarf, Mostly! on 05/12/2016 13:43:34

Edited By Swarf, Mostly! on 05/12/2016 13:45:56

Those tailstock attachments are much easier to set-up than a Myford type taper turning unit in factory condition without screw adjustment. If you don't anticipate doing much, if any, taper turning work then, given the price a Myford TT goes for, it's arguably better ecomics to sell the Myford kit and buy a tailstock mounted set-over device if / when you ever need to do a taper shaft. Or, cheaper, use your boring head with a centre mounted up in one of the tooling holes. Only disadvantage is that you can't do taper bores. Personally I've only once made a taper shaft but have needed my TT unit several times for bores.

Don't like direct tailstock set-over due to all the extra work involved in setting things back parallel.

Clive.

Clive,

Have a look at:

www.frets.com

There is a method there for getting very close for realigning the tailstock on centre line. In fact a very useful site with ideas for many of us.

DTI off the cross slide, engineers level, Wixey level box and probaly a fe wmore ways too.

One area the taper turning attachment cannot be beaten on a non CNC lathe is in cutting tapered threads such as BSPT or NPT. Very easy to do with a taper turning attachment, next to impossible without. I also find that when working between centres some tapers require considerable re jigging of the tool post & tool over hang to ensure that the compound slide clears the tail stock. On some tapers I have had to resort to us much as two inchs of tool over hang to clear the tail stock...not ideal! This problem does not occur when using the taper turning attachment as a standard tool post set up can be maintained.