Adding graduations to tailstock spindle

[Brian Rupnow]

The tailstock spindle on my B227L lathe from busy Bee Tools had no graduations on the spindle. This didn't hurt the operation of the lathe in any way, but it drove me a little crazy every time I had to drill a hole to a specific depth.

 

[Brian Rupnow]

So---I complained about this over on another machining forum, and someone over there gave me a great solution. First, I found a "spare" machinists scale and sawed out a strip 3/8" wide x 1.5" long. (The total travel of my spindle is only about 1 5/8").

 

[Brian Rupnow]

Then I set the tailstock spindle up in my mill, and with a 3/8" milling cutter, I milled a slot long and deep enough to accept the peice of scale I had cut off.

 

[Brian Rupnow]

A quick trial fit while things are still set up in the milling vice--

 

[Brian Rupnow]

I used some #648 Loctite to glue the scale in place, and Voila'---I now have a graduated spindle.

 

[black85vette]

Simple, elegant and functional. What else is there to say? Thm:

 

[tmuir]

Great way to fix the problem but for what it would of cost at manufacture you've got to wonder why it was left off

 

[vlmarshall]

Nice idea, I'm going to try and remember this for when I need it. Good use for a 6" scale, other than the coffee stirring I usually use one for. ;D

 

[GrahamC]

Creative solution to a frustrating - very nice.

However, I have the same lathe and the tailstock handwheel on mine is graduated - one revolution is .125" with markings all round. Not as slick as you "glued on" ruler however.

Is your's not?

cheers, Graham in Embrun near Ottawa Canada

 

[Brian Rupnow]

Creative solution to a frustrating - very nice.

However, I have the same lathe and the tailstock handwheel on mine is graduated - one revolution is .125" with markings all round. Not as slick as you "glued on" ruler however.

Is your's not?

cheers, Graham in Embrun near Ottawa Canada

Yes, mine has the dial graduations, but I'm more comfrotable with a scale I can read.---Brian

 

[miker]

Maybe tilted so as not to interfere with the lock handle on top?
Works well for me and my quill is already graduated. Just much easier to read and re zero at any point.

Rgds

 

[lugnut]

Brian, I'm glad you liked and tried my idea of using the machinist rule from my post on HMS. http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/showthread.php?t=36125
looks like you done a great job adapting it to your lathe.
Mel

 

[Xnerd]

Wow someone used your idea and didn't give you credit? It's unethical!!

 

[abby]

What a nice first post , Xtroll would be a more suitable name.

 

[ThomasSK]

Worse is it dragging a 10 year old thread out of the gutter to comment on it