Question for you Delta lathe users
Question for you Delta lathe users
OK, so I'm fiddlin around with my lathe. Haven't turned anything on it yet, but will soon. Anyway, I was checking out the length of the tailstock thingy, you all know, where you put the jacobs chuck? As it turns out there is only 1 5/8 run to this thing. That just doesn't seem like enough to me. It'll cover the mortise easy, and most bowls, but what about the draught holes? No way you can drill a Canadian on there. (Is it me or does that just sound dirty?) Are there extension thingies availible? Or do I have to extend the thing to its full length, and move the tailstock when I reach as far as it can?
Nick,
I rarely crank the bit into a piece using the tailstock. Instead, I loosen the entire tailstock just to where it will begin to slide on the lathe bed and then push the whole thing toward the material to be drilled. The tailstock will keep it steady and centered and you are free to drill holes as long as your bits or bed length will allow. Of course, you will be unable to measure the depth of your bore on the tailstock as you would if you had used the crank, but you can just mark the bit with tape or a collar. I hope this makes sense and helps (and works!) It is a big timesaver for me, and is especially helpful when drilling rod stock because I can get the bit in and out very quickly to avoid overheating and melting the vulcanite.
Jeff
I rarely crank the bit into a piece using the tailstock. Instead, I loosen the entire tailstock just to where it will begin to slide on the lathe bed and then push the whole thing toward the material to be drilled. The tailstock will keep it steady and centered and you are free to drill holes as long as your bits or bed length will allow. Of course, you will be unable to measure the depth of your bore on the tailstock as you would if you had used the crank, but you can just mark the bit with tape or a collar. I hope this makes sense and helps (and works!) It is a big timesaver for me, and is especially helpful when drilling rod stock because I can get the bit in and out very quickly to avoid overheating and melting the vulcanite.
Jeff
I have a Delta Midi Lathe and I do the same as random. I also agree that there is too much wobble on the tailstock when it is not secured.
John Harms
http://www.jthpipes.com
http://www.jthpipes.com
