Mill Tailstock

[jocat54]

I have needed a tailstock for my mill a couple of times now, just to get some support on longer projects, so melted some scrap aluminum I had and did some lost foam casting for the basic shapes and just kind of winged the design as I went along. It turned out okay and will work for what I need at this time.
It is adjustable in height from about 1 3/4 inches to just about 4 inches.

 

[brino]

Simply elegant.
Nice work John.

-brino

 

[T Bredehoft]

That's what makes this a Hobby. We need things that no one makes, so we make them ourselves.

I'm in process making a 7/8 diameter countersink.

 

[mattthemuppet2]

awesome work! If I were to offer a suggestion or two, I would key the moving part to the bracket to make sure it's always parallel to the table and I'd add a fine adjust height screw, so that you can sweep your work with a DI and then adjust it a few thou.

 

[jocat54]

Thought I would update what I did to the tailstock for the mill.
I was using it today and did not like how it functioned---so I threaded the shaft to 12x20 and milled a 1/4' slot to capture a nut. Had some 1 1/8" round stock to make the nut out of--tapped it to 1/2x20 and knurled it and milled it to fit the slot. Added a height adjustment bolt and nut.
Now it is much easier to use

 

[ch2co]

Well now that you made one, I guess I better make one too. Don't know why I need it, but I really do need it !
I like the design (after mods), thanks!

 

[tweinke]

Nice job.

 

[barnett]

Very nice, I need one for my dividing head.