Tailstock Components

Tailstock

The tailstock slides along the bedways and has a (generally) non-rotating spindle that is concentric with the main lathe spindle. The tailstock is generally used to support the end of long workpieces, or it can be fitted with a drill chuck to drilling and other holemaking operations.

The tailstock can be used to support the workpiece or hold tooling.

Tailstock Spindle

The non-rotating tailstock spindle has a tapered hole that can be fitted with tooling such as live or dead centers, drill chucks or tapered tools. The spindle can be extended or retracted with the handwheel, or locked in place with the tailstock spindle lock. The tailstock spindle is typically graduated for rough positioning.

The tailstock spindle can be fitted with tapered tools and toolholders.

Tailstock Handwheel

The tailstock handwheel is used to extend or retract the tailstock spindle.

The tailstock handwheel is used to extend or retract the tailstock spindle.

Tailstock Spindle Lock

The tailstock spindle can be fixed in position by clamping it with the spindle lock.


The tailstock spindle can be fixed in position by clamping it with the spindle lock.

Tailstock Lock

To prevent the tailstock from sliding along the bedways, a lock is employed. this lock can be one or more levers (as is the usual on modern lathes), or a locking nut as shown here.

The tailstock lock prevents the tailstock from moving along the bedways.