Tru-Trace Lathe Tracing Attachment

**Nelson** · 08-07-11, 06:22 PM

What is this lathe attachment used for and what is the plusses and minuses of having one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/TRU-TRACE-LATHE-...item2c5e5ba775

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Thanks,

Nelson

**Tony Wells** · 08-07-11, 07:51 PM

They are used on lathes to cut profiles and contours that would be difficult or near impossible manually. A flat template is created that mounts on it and contact is maintained on the template by a tracer pin that is connected to a hydraulic valve. The hydraulics control the X axis of the lathe, so that when you engage the Z axis feed, the cutting tool makes a cut that matches the template. The templates are a little tricky to make, as you have to allow for the contact pin diameter.

I imagine that they aren't all that popular nowadays, with CNC all over the place, but at one time, production shops used them extensively. I ran one on an American Pacemaker for a while. Kind of boring after a few days of watching it. They don't thread, but turning and boring work they do pretty good.

**george wilson** · 08-08-11, 10:00 AM

I have a little Lehigh(sp?) mechanical tracing attachment I've used for many years. It just is a hardened steel block with a built in linear bearing that moves the tool in and out. A follower stylus moves against a template you make from 1/8" steel flat stock.

It has always worked just fine.

**4gsr** · 08-08-11, 09:13 PM

I don't claim to be an expert at this stuff, but that one on ebone has a missing piece to it. it's missing the template holder that holds your template.
I threw away two tracer valves when I cleaned out my Dad's old shop when we sold the old homestead. :crying: years back.

Ken