On 30 May 2005 16:57:13 -0400, (DoN. Nichols)
wrote:

In article ,
Gunner wrote:
On Mon, 30 May 2005 11:27:30 +1000, "John Sefton"
wrote:


"Gunner" wrote in message
...
On 29 May 2005 09:13:05 -0700, wrote:

Ok looking for a simple answer!
Thanks!

Move the tail stock over

A bit butcherous, but certainly simple.

And in the early days..the only way.

Actually its quite accurate and works well assuming you set up
properly, and only requires the minimal tooling

Bearing in mind two factors:

1) The workpiece must be turned between centers for this to work.
Otherwise offsetting the tailstock does little other than making
it difficult to use it for drilling holes in the end of a
workpiece. :-)

2) It is sensitive to length of workpiece. If you have a batch of
workpieces of the same precise length between centers (including
the depth of the center holes), you will get repeatable tapers.
However, if the length varies, the angle will also vary, unless
you spend a lot of time setting up each one separately.


Note that for *some* lathes (e.g. the Unimat SL-1000), a short
workpiece can be taper turned by rotating the headstock to the proper
angle. Obviously, you don't get support from a tailstock center in this
case, so the length is quite limited, but it does work.

You could turn between centers with the Unimat SL-1000 by
offsetting the head (by rotating it as above), but it makes the angle of
the headstock taper to the center hole rather extreme (perhaps three or
four times the angle desired at a minimum). Offsetting the tailstock is
a more gentle approach -- but the Unimat SL-1000 did not provide for
this option.

Other than this, other answers have already covered everything
that *I* can think of, so I'll stop typing now.

Enjoy,
DoN.

But wasnt the thread about turning tapers on a lathe? This toy thing
while interesting..is hardly germane.

VBG

Gunner, ducking and running

"Considering the events of recent years,
the world has a long way to go to regain
its credibility and reputation with the US."
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