My Delta Midi was given to me by my son. One of the frustrating things I found bad is that when I tighten the tail stock down with the lever and then screw in the live center the tailstock slides along the bed. I have tried as hard as I can to tighten the stock down but can't. If I put a pipe over the lever I can get it tight with that added fulcrum but that is a pain. Any solution like notching or filing the washer on the bottom for a better grip?
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Tailstock slipping
- Thread starter LANKFORD
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- May 14, 2005
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- Kennebunkport, Maine, USA
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I have the same problem with my 715. Tried the 'pipe for leverage' routine, too. I haven't yet explored the solution of roughing the washer or changing the washer to a larger surface , but I can tell you that regular vise-grips work wonders, without any damage to the bed rails.
LANKFORD said:
I would find someone, a welding shop, machinist, friend, to make a longer clamping plate instead of using a pipe to tighten. Sooner or later over tighting will cause a failure of one of the components, plate,cam lock,tailstock casting, etc.
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
don't know if the Delta is like the Jet but the problem is actually the bearing surface of the locking plate below the tailstock is too small. I made a larger plate for my Jet and thru away the little washer thing that comes with it. The plate I made is the same size as the base of the jet tailstock. Everyone who used my lathe a few weeks ago, when I had a turning day at my house, commented on how solid the tailstock was.
Extending the lever does apply more pressure and that is one solution but the real problem is there simply isn't enough friction to hold it. By making the locking block bigger you get many times the friction of the small plate that comes with the lathe.
I'm working on a whole bunch of improvements to the jet mine and most of them will work on the Delta. I'm going to try to write up an article on it but if that doesn't work out I will post the improvements on our club website. I've worked out the details on adding indexing and hope to build that this weekend but I have a turner coming over to work on his technique so it may not get done as quickly as I think.
Extending the lever does apply more pressure and that is one solution but the real problem is there simply isn't enough friction to hold it. By making the locking block bigger you get many times the friction of the small plate that comes with the lathe.
I'm working on a whole bunch of improvements to the jet mine and most of them will work on the Delta. I'm going to try to write up an article on it but if that doesn't work out I will post the improvements on our club website. I've worked out the details on adding indexing and hope to build that this weekend but I have a turner coming over to work on his technique so it may not get done as quickly as I think.
my delta slips also, i have used a piece of plyboard clamped behind the tailstock with the stock tailstock clamp in use, it depends on the type of wood i am trying to drill a hole into as to how well it works
i may try to enlarge the tailstock clamp as was mentioned in earlier post 😎 😱 😎
i may try to enlarge the tailstock clamp as was mentioned in earlier post 😎 😱 😎
I've got the same problem... I just give it a light tap with a rubber mallet. Holds just fine. I can still loosen it by hand too.
Brian
Brian
Steve Worcester
Admin Emeritus
When I looked at that, the problem was they used either a round clamp underneath, or too small of a clamp block, both cause the same problem. Too little surface area.
There are a few people around that make new clamp blocks for them and fix that problem.
There are a few people around that make new clamp blocks for them and fix that problem.
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2005
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In addition to what John suggests, another problem sometimes is that the bottom of the ways are rough or have bits of flashing. Cleaning up the bottom of the ways so that they are smoother will also help to solve the problem. It almost sounds counterintuitive, but a smoother surface has more contact area and also maintains constant thickness so that the clamping force does not vary. Flipping the bed over (easier said than done) and then going after it with coarse sandpaper on a sanding block and progressing up to about 120 or 150 grit will do wonders to clean up any roughness on the bottom side. Don't overdo any one spot.john lucas said:
Bill
The holding washer on the Delta Midi is as big as you can get it. I cleaned the bottom of the lathe bed and the stock is now holding better. I think I will add about a 3 inch extension on the tightening handle for a little more fulcrum to tighten. Between the two it should be ok. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.
anybody else do this
when i drill a depth hole i usually drill it one inch at a time, get wood shavings off drill bit, and and drill another inch, clean shaving, etc...
works ok on most woods siberrian elm being my biggest slippage, it just gums up
😱 😱
when i drill a depth hole i usually drill it one inch at a time, get wood shavings off drill bit, and and drill another inch, clean shaving, etc...
works ok on most woods siberrian elm being my biggest slippage, it just gums up
😱 😱