Jon Elson fired this volley in news:B-
:

I generally resist offsetting my tailstock, too, if it doesn't make a
big difference. On critical work, however, where an accurate taper
can
actually be turned (something like a Morse or R-8 arbor, for instance)
then it is worth doing it right. (Of course, a taper attachment is
even
better!)

Oh, PSHAW, Jon!

To get the tailstock back to acceptable (cheap machining) center takes
only a swatch of shimstock and about 30 seconds.

To get it back to "tenths" takes only about three or four minutes using
a truing bar and taking a few tenths off each end. I've had my bar
since 1971, and still haven't worn it down to where it needs new bosses.

LLoyd