Basic advice please…

[Helvetica]

Hi folks, I'm brand new to turning, want to start with a spindle. I have the 'head drive' in the 'morse taper' of the head stock which seems fine, but I'm not sure if I'm missing a part of the tail stock. You can see the piece I have on in the photo, should I have a sharply pointed piece to fit under / instead of this?

Also, should I tighten the surround of the head drive, or will it self-tighten if I turn it on?

 

[chipmunk]

Hi Helvetica,
In the tailstock (picture 2) that looks as if it may be a ring live centre.

Is that a sharp ring which rotates on bearings? If so then you are probably good to go, although a pointed metal point on a taper that fits inside the hollow live centre may make alignment easier. It will look a bit like the one here...http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-axminster-hollow-live-revolving-centre-prod21274/

In the headstock (picture 1) you have a two-prong drive which will be fine for spindle work. The morse taper will grip it sufficiently - no need to change anything. The screw-on section looks to be a thread protector. It's good to leave it on but just stops your gouges and chisels chewing up the thread if they slip.

HTH
Jon

 

[Woodchips2]

Hi Helvetica
You need a centre in the tailstock as well. Some examples here http://www.axminster.co.uk/page/find/?n ... tre&page=1. Maybe go for a live centre or a steb centre. The knurled piece in the headstock is a thread protector and should be hand-tight. As well as protecting the thread it enables you to get the centre out of the headstock if you are changing to a scroll chuck.

Best of luck.

Regards Keith

 

[Helvetica]

Thanks a mill people