Taper Turning Attachment Modification

I do quite a bit of taper turning, but was always very frustrated with the Boxford taper turning attachment.

To adjust the taper you needed slacken of the taper slide clamping screws and then gently tap the slide in the direction you wanted to go. Mostly the tap was either so gentle that the slide didn’t move or more likely it went to far, and you went endlessly backwards and forwards. When you finally got it in the exact position and tightened the clamp screws it would move slightly.

Plan A, was to modify it as per the GHT design in one of his ME Workshop books, basically a worm drive onto a gear segment cut in the end of the taper slide. Scary thing was, if cutting the slide went wrong, the chances of getting a replacement slide would be near zero.

Plan B, something less destructive. Also mentioned in his (GHT) book is the idea of using screwed adjusters to push the slide. So I made up two little adjusters to go each end of the slide. The only work that has to done on the taper attachment is to drill and tap four holes, 2BA in my case, to mount the adjusters. The construction of them should be self evident from the picture. The adjusting screws are 5/16” dia. And approx 2 ½ inches long to allow adjustment of the slide fully in both directions. I screw cut them 20tpi, but any thread would be suitable. The boss’s which take the screws are secured in the bracket by a 4BA grub screw. To put a bit of friction on the adjusting screws the boss’s have been drilled and tapped to take a 4BA grub screw with a bit of copper against the thread. In use, you just tighten the taper slide clamps to give a little friction and then use the screws to gently push the slide whichever way. When you have got it to the correct taper lock down the clamps. Nothing moves.

Just thought I’d share.

Hmmm

Thanks - I have the Myford version -could be a useful mod.

Norman

Hi Saxalby,

Very nice blacking! How was it done?

Peter.

Thanks.

I used the cold blacking kit from www.black-it.co.uk/html/kits.html. So far very impressed with the results.

Regards Barry