Automatic Tailstocks

Tailstocks are support long parts when they are turned on a lathe or rotary table.

Whether a tailstock is needed or not will depend on the length of the workpiece being machined. If the pieces are short-length, a tailstock may not be necessary. For long, slender pieces — such as rifle barrels — it is important to use a tailstock to achieve accurate machining without distortion or chatter. Read more

To check the alignment of your tailstock, use an indicator sweep of the tailstock quill. Mount the indicators to the faceplate of the rotary table or the spindle of the lathe. Tailstocks can be adjusted side to side. If center height is off, add shims to adjust it up or remove material to adjust it down. If the tailstock comes from the factory, it should align with the center of the spindle. If added to a rotary table, match the center height of the tailstock is to the center height of the rotary table.

Tailstocks are available in several different types, such as manual, hydraulic and pneumatic tailstocks, as well as tailstocks with built in live centers. There are also rotary table tailstocks, which are heavy duty tailstocks that look more like another rotary table to support heavy parts.

The two types of centers most commonly used are are dead centers and live centers. Dead centers do not turn and are typically used on manual machine tools or rotary table tailstocks. Live centers have built in bearings and are usually used on CNC machines and in applications where higher RPMs are required.