Tailstock question.

[folkar]

I am looking to pick up a lathe for multiple reasons. Since I don't plan to actually make a cue in the near future, i'm not having that be part of the criteria for my purchase. However, it would be nice to have something that I could put a shaft on for re-tipping.

The part that I am not sure on, is how to have an 'open' tailstock to accomplish this. I know that they make items like the spindle steady, that runs a spindle through three rollers. My impression is that it was not meant to be used as a tailstock, but rather as a device to steady a spindle in the middle of the work between the headstock and tailstock.

To give you an idea of projects i'll be doing on the lathe:

Bowls
Goblets
Pens
Maybe Joint Protectors
hopefully tip repairs ( maybe ferrules too )

 

[Mr Hoppe]

You may not want to involve the tailstock at all. You probably want a collet so that you can chuck the shaft up near the tip for your tip work. You'll then want to control the joint end of the shaft with a chuck on the back side of the head stock, or a steady rest set-up.
Mr H

 

[pdcue]

I am looking to pick up a lathe for multiple reasons. Since I don't plan to actually make a cue in the near future, i'm not having that be part of the criteria for my purchase. However, it would be nice to have something that I could put a shaft on for re-tipping.

The part that I am not sure on, is how to have an 'open' tailstock to accomplish this. I know that they make items like the spindle steady, that runs a spindle through three rollers. My impression is that it was not meant to be used as a tailstock, but rather as a device to steady a spindle in the middle of the work between the headstock and tailstock.

To give you an idea of projects i'll be doing on the lathe:

Bowls
Goblets
Pens
Maybe Joint Protectors
hopefully tip repairs ( maybe ferrules too )

Yes... and no. Sounds like you are talking about a wood lathe.

In general, one of the functions of a steady rest is to do just exactly what
you think it wasn't ment to be used for. BTW, on a metal lathe, stabilizing
the midddle of a long spindle is typically accomplished using a gizmo
called a 'follow rest'.

For tips&ferrules on a wood lathe, the three wheel steady is much less
effective tham mounting a bearing in a steady<or a bearing block>and
runnintg the shaft in a delrin bushing.

A search of this forum will yield many examples.

Dale