Single bar bed, tailstock alignment problem.
 

I have recently purchased a SIP 36" lathe. This has a single bar bed
with a key underneath to align the tailstock. The keyway has quite a
bit of play on it and the side movement of the tailstock is controlled
by a pin, grubscrew and locknut. My problem is how to align the
tailstock and hold that alignment. If I align the tailstock centre
with the drive centre and then lock the grubscrew and pin, the
tailstock is too tight to slide on the bed. If the grubscrew is any
slacker then I get sideways movement in the tailstock and
misalignment.
Has anyone experienced this problem and how did you overcome it ?

I had a mono tube for a couple years. The play in the tailstock was not a
major problem. For spindles it does not have to be aligned. For faceplate
work I would mount the wood, then carefully mark the center on the tailstock
side by either rotating it by hand and using a pencil to find center, or if
it was fairly balanced I would run the lathe and use a skew to mark center.
Then bring up the tailstock on the mark and you are aligned.

Woodchip Willie - aka Bill Berglin
http://home.comcast.net/~bberg100


"LesC" wrote in message
om...
I have recently purchased a SIP 36" lathe. This has a single bar bed
with a key underneath to align the tailstock. The keyway has quite a
bit of play on it and the side movement of the tailstock is controlled
by a pin, grubscrew and locknut. My problem is how to align the
tailstock and hold that alignment. If I align the tailstock centre
with the drive centre and then lock the grubscrew and pin, the
tailstock is too tight to slide on the bed. If the grubscrew is any
slacker then I get sideways movement in the tailstock and
misalignment.
Has anyone experienced this problem and how did you overcome it ?

"LesC" wrote in message
om...
I have recently purchased a SIP 36" lathe. This has a single bar bed
with a key underneath to align the tailstock. The keyway has quite a
bit of play on it and the side movement of the tailstock is controlled
by a pin, grubscrew and locknut. My problem is how to align the
tailstock and hold that alignment. If I align the tailstock centre
with the drive centre and then lock the grubscrew and pin, the
tailstock is too tight to slide on the bed. If the grubscrew is any
slacker then I get sideways movement in the tailstock and
misalignment.
Has anyone experienced this problem and how did you overcome it ?
==================
Les,
If it is similar to the Sears monotube, you may be able to shim the rail
that the tailstock registers against. Steel or brass shim stock from a good
automotive jobber or machine shop supply house. They are available in sizes
from .001" up. Cut to size and attach with CA glue AFTER assuring it will
take up the slack without binding the movement.

Ken Moon
Webberville, TX