Manual Tailstocks

Tailstocks are a type of machine tool accessory that are used to support long parts on a lathe or rotary table.

This depends on the length of the workpiece. If you’re working with short-length pieces, a tailstock may not be necessary. However, for long, slender pieces — such a rifle barrels — it is important to have a tailstock to ensure accurate machining, avoiding distortion or chatter.

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If the tailstock comes from the factory, the center is aligned with the center of the spindle. However, if the tailstock was added to a rotary table, the center height of the tailstock matches the center height of the rotary table. To check tailstock alignment, use an indicator sweep of the tailstock quill. Mount indicators to either the lathe spindle or the rotary table faceplate. You can adjust tailstocks from side to side, but to adjust center height, shims will need to be added if it is low or material removed if it is high.

There are several different types of tailstocks, including manual, hydraulic, pneumatic tailstocks, as well as tailstocks with built in live centers. For rotary tables, you can also get a heavy duty tailstock that resembles another rotary table to support heavy parts.

There are are two types of centers commonly used in tailstocks: live centers and dead centers. Live centers are built with bearings and are often used on CNC machines, which require higher RPMs. Dead centers do not turn and are most often used with manual machines or rotary table tailstocks.