Simple tailstock lock

After a recent project that required a lot of drilling,  I decided I needed a better way of locking my tailstock in place.  When I purchased my lathe it came with a 19mm wrench for locking the tailstock.  It worked fine for occasional use, but was a pain when you needed to move the tailstock a lot. I considered making a cam lock tailstock, but they can’t provide the clamping force a wrench can.

Below is the solution I came up with, it’s a shortened 19mm reversible ratchet wrench. It’s as quick and easy to use as a cam lock mechanism, with the added benefit of producing a lot more torque. A short stiff spring between the base casting and the locking plate insures enough tension on the bolt to make the ratchet actuate.

Cad doodle (1/2-20 bolt)

I’m still waiting for some parts to arrive for my next project, so I’ve been spending my “goof off” time playing in cad. My latest project is this 1/2-20 bolt designed to class 2A tolerances. If you want to take a look at it in 3D you can download the RhinoCad file here.

Continue Reading…

Cad doodle (CCGT 21.52 insert)

My latest Cad doodle, a CCGT 21.52 insert with 15 degess of back rake. I have no idea if it would actually work, but is was fun to design. If you want to take a look at it in 3D you can download the RhinoCad file here.

boring bar sleeve

I ordered a bunch of boring bars the other day, but before I could use them I needed to figure out how to clamp them in the AXA holder. So how do you hold a 1/2″ boring bar with a holder designed for 3/4″ bars? With a sleeve of course. Sleeves are very easy to make; all you need is a lathe & a bandsaw.

My QCTP came with this 3/4″ boring bar holder but I have never used it.

Continue Reading…