Lathe tailstock quill extension index

[Christophe Mineau]

Here is a little gizmo I quickly made to provide a reading index and zero setup for the tailstocks of my lathes.

I know I could have made a DRO for the tailstock, with a digital caliper for instance, but both of my tailstock quills, metal lathe and wood lathe, have a graduation, so I wanted to take benefit from them, and wanted also a zero setup .

I came up with this simple solution, mounted on a rare earth magnet, featuring a little shaft ended with a brass needle. I just need to move the magnet so that the needle is in front of the zero to control the depth of my drilling.

Here it is on the metal lathe :




And here , the same on the wood lathe :



Bottom view :



It can even be used to index the chuck angle !

[Paul Jones]

Christophe,
Great idea and solves a problem I have with my tailstock and various Morse Taper adapters. I cut down the length of a MT3 adapter for a keyless chuck I use in my 12" swing metal lathe. I also use a keyed chuck with another adapter. I had to leave an extra 0.1" to the overall length to the adapters to allow ejecting the chuck and adapter when returning the quill to below zero. However, this slightly extra length in the adapter does not allow the quill to return exactly to zero as measured at the front of the tailstock. Adding a pointer like yours will solve this problem.
Thank you for sharing, Paul

[DIYer]

Thanks Christophe! We've added your Tailstock Depth Indicator to our Measuring and Marking category, as well as to your builder page: Christophe Mineau's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Tailstock Depth Indicator by Christophe Mineau

tags: lathe, tailstock

[Brendon]

Hi Christophe,
That's a handy little gadget. I'll have to make one.
I am always amazed at the way we come up with solutions to problems in the shop.
But I suppose, that is part of the fun.
Hope you are keeping well
Brendon

[Christophe Mineau]

Hi Brendon,
Thanks, yes, that's true, this is the kind of gadget done very quickly upon a fugitive idea.
And suddenly came the light ...
By the way, Brendon, I saw your wonderful chess game, and didn't take the time yet to leave you a comment, but it's really beautiful and so original ! I'll take the time to leave a little word.
read you soon
Christophe

[kbalch]

Hi Christophe,

Simple, elegant, and eminently useful! Your Tailstock Depth Indicator is the 'Tool of the Week'!

As you've already received one of our official HomemadeTools.net T-shirts, we'd be glad to award you a $25 online gift card from GiftRocket.

Just let me have your email address (via PM) and we'll get things processed directly.

Congrats!

Ken

[Christophe Mineau]

Hi, Ken and team,
I'm greatly honored, thank you very much !
It is a bit unexpected, this little gadget has been made in a hurry, without much care, and eventually, it wins an award !
It is true that it is really useful, I think I will make a separate one for my wood lathe to avoir having to move it from one lathe to the other.

Thanks again, and all have a great week end (better than the last I hope, for us in France).
Christophe

[Jon]

That makes six Homemade Tool of the Week wins for Christophe Mineau!

1. Carving Platform
2. Spokeshave
3. Disc Sander
4. Engraver's Bowl Vise
5. Push Block
6. Tailstock Depth Indicator

It's turning into a tight race for the first 10-time Tool of the Week award, with rossbotics at seven and Brendon at 5.

This week's decision was difficult. turntable's Surface Grinder and Lathe Milling Attachment were also impressive.

[Paul Jones]

Christophe,

Congratulations, and thank you for the story behind the scenes on how you quickly created this gadget. I would like to see more examples of these types of gadgets that are easy to make and modify as needed.

Paul

[DIYer]

Impressive efforts all around!