Well, yes and no. I mean -- it IS an offset attachment, but it's actually
TWO parts. And -- there's more to it than that.

A) It's both a "cup center" for the lathe (part # 505716, as near as I can
tell), AND the offset, dead-center-holding insert for the tailstock. Look
at the following pictu
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/p...ockexpview.htm (cut and
paste the entire link into your browser address bar if you have problems
clicking on it).

B) I can't quite tell what's broken about it from the picture -- looks
like maybe the centering point on the cup center is broken/dulled.
Fortunately a new one will only cost you $15 or so. (I *believe* that
these are standard "Morse Taper #2" centers -- you can get a replacement
at Sears -- look for an "MT2 Cup Center" and bring the offset insert with
you to see if it fits (if I'm correct about what's broken)).

C) The reason for the offset (which S.A. King, below, mentioned) is this:
if you mount a piece of wood such that the left end (on the "live" center,
connected to the motor) is centered, and the right end (on the tailstock,
or driven center) is offset -- and then turn it AS IF you're just turning
a straight cylinder -- you end up with a tapered piece. A "cone", if you
will. By turning the offsetting piece (part #288, the "eccentric mount"),
you increase or decrease the amount of resulting taper.

Hope that helps -- you owe me....well, something ;-)

Nobody


On Sat, 25 Dec 2004 16:40:11 +0000, S. A. King wrote:

Lathe attachment that offsets the tail stock as you rotate it, to let
you turn things like table/chair legs with one end offset from the
centerline. The more rotation the more offset.
Si

Michael Sorbera wrote:
[quoted text muted]