Universal lathe tool

[Gkane]

I recently got the universal tool rest and I really like the added reach and the weight however, when I’m doing bowls, I like the added support from the tail stock when rough cutting the interior of the bowl. I find the height of the tool rest prevents me from using the tail stock and find myself removing it the tool rest. It’s big and bulky and a pain to keep adding and taking off so I find myself using it less and less.
I thought about getting a #2 x #2 MT Morse Taper Sleeve to extend the live center over the tool rest but having an issue finding one long enough. Anyone else run into this and or have a better solution?
Thanks
Gordon

[edma194]

I've seen a variety of these things. Problem is the other end of the rod, you need something to mount a center on.

I think you may be looking for something like this Morse Taper Extension MT2-Outside to MT2-Inside on Amazon.

I am not an expert turner. Maybe others have better advice.

[tfrayne]

Gkane I’ve run into the same thing.

Edma 195 I think that M2 extension is just the ticket to fix it.

[chapmanruss]

Gkane,

Welcome to the Shopsmith Forum.

How long of an extension do you need on your live Center? Shopsmith has an extension that came with the Lathe Duplicator and was available separately that is about 2" long if I remember correctly. It is in the picture below on the right with the different Shopsmith Live Centers made over the years.

Can you extend the Quill to adjust for some of that reach needed? Once done with the tailstock center you can retract the Quill for better stability.

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Lathe Live Centers - extension.jpg (323.54 KiB) Viewed 7796 times

[Gkane]

I think I might have found a solution. I found this sleeve on eBay. Obviously, this bowl isn’t big enough to warrant the extension but you get the idea. Can’t wait to give it a try.

[JPG]

Be cautious!!!! No taper = wobble.

[HopefulSSer]

Your tailstock is backwards!

[JPG]

Your tailstock is backwards!

Good catch! Another cause for disaster!!!!


I do hope that is a seller's pix, not thine.

[Gkane]

Your tailstock is backwards!

Thanks for the heads up, when I bought this SS it was mounted that way and I never questioned it.

[JPG]

Being backwards, the taper is reversed, so all the advantages of the taper were lost.