Tail stock for turret lathe

I was just wondering if these are any good?

I remember when I was a kid seeing quite a few, but dont hear of these any more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUt3P2_lfm0

https://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/attachments/f25/26629d1285794969-10-6-position-turret-tailstock-any-value-stuff-011small.jpg

https://downrivertools.com/plan-sets-kits/bed-turret-plan-sets/mk-ii-bed-turret-for-south-bend-9-lathe-drawings.html

Edited By Mark Eisen on 24/01/2019 06:55:16

Edited By Mark Eisen on 24/01/2019 06:56:37

Realistically the use case is restricted to needing large enough batches to justify one, yet needing them infrequently enough not to need an auto lathe, CNC or a full-time capstan lathe. On the other hand, the want case is a lot wider - despite not having used a capstan for 40 years my immediate reaction was "I want one of those"

Brian

Realistically of no use to folk like us. I bought one for £ not much at all pushing 20 years back when it looked like I might need supplementary income from the workshop but its never been on the lathe. Actually I'm not even sure that its the right one!

Set-up and tooling alignment takes far longer than any time saving especially as cuts are made end on so tooling is a whole different world to what we are used to. No incremental cuts and, if traditional methods are used, setting is very much by trial and error. The Downriver Tools link is illuminating when it comes to the sheer amount of extra stuff needed. Realistically you need a lever cut-off slide too.

End on cutting limits the type of parts that can be made.

Comprehensive set of bed and cross slide stops with front and rear 4 way tool-posts plus a decent version of the "mutant porcupine" tailstock barrel mount turrets will serve you better.

Why oh why did no lathe maker ever sort out a decent cross slide stop system? My 6 position bed stop one is invaluable.

Objectively the whole turret thing is obsolete technology. With modern stepper / servo drives and travel readouts so inexpensive in real terms re-inventing the EMI-Mech makes more engineering sense. Drives on both apron and cross slides. Pre-programmed table of cut depths and stop positions, ideally straight out of the CAD program. Auto rotation tool turret if you wanna be fancy or an audible signal for when next tool is needed. QC system and Lego Robotics arm if real sophistication is needed. Tablet app to run it and Bob is your mothers brother.

Clive (looks for coat).

And to think that when I was an Apprentice, we thought that a Herbert No7 Preoptive, or a Cri Dan B were at the leading edge of technology! And then the Atlantic table ushered in digital co ordinate control!

Hi tech was a 14 inch black and white TV!

never even thought that I'd own a lathe, then.

What luxuries we have today!

Howard

Yes indeed Howard !!

I adapted a Hardinge turret to my South Bend 10K. It was a lot of work to get it fit properly. It is great for repetitive jobs but I have to admit I rarely use it. The last job where I used it was 600 pieces. If I were making a batch of 10 pieces I probably would not bother with it.

I find turret tailstocks to be invaluable in single piece or multiple piece production circumstances. I have my frequently used tools such as a centre drill, pilot drill and a live centre permanently installed so I need only index the turret to the appropriate tool. I back off the threaded end stops fully (even remove them) so I have a full stroke available. I have all the tools protuding the same distance from the turret face so all are available without moving the turret tailstock. The turret tailstock need only be moved when your workpiece length requires it. The handwheel on the turret tailstock allows fast feed and indexing of the turret.

John

Edited By JOHN NIELSEN on 25/01/2019 18:19:13