05-16-2015, 01:18 PM
To be a bit anal Greg, yours is a D1-8 spindle. Mine is a D1-6. I have no idea where the nomenclature originated, but these "cam-lock" spindles are nice because they're immune to spindle reversal the way a threaded spindle isn't. Here's a reference for you:
http://www.tools-n-gizmos.com/specs/Lath...Mount.html
Darren's machine has a half nut and he tested it to work, but he doesn't need to engage it but ONCE for most threads. Once engaged he can use the dog clutch lever for threading passes. Very cool! I've used such machines before and there's no need to stop the spindle. When you get to a shoulder you disengage the dog clutch and it stops carriage travel. Retract the tool, wind the carriage back by hand, advance the tool, click the dog clutch lever back in anywhere/anytime, lather, rinse, repeat.
As for the MT5 tailstock taper, it's just a matter of getting a couple of reducing sleeves to start with. MT to MT4 and MT5 to MT3 would be a good start. Later, add a robust MT5 taper live center. The crane for changing chucks is a Godsend. My 10" 3-jaw is manageable by hand, the 12" 4-jaw independent is right at the limit of what I can safely lift for now, that will change as I age.
He's got some work to do to get the taper attachment complete and working, but it should be doable. That's one of the few things I don't have for my lathe and wish I did.
http://www.tools-n-gizmos.com/specs/Lath...Mount.html
Darren's machine has a half nut and he tested it to work, but he doesn't need to engage it but ONCE for most threads. Once engaged he can use the dog clutch lever for threading passes. Very cool! I've used such machines before and there's no need to stop the spindle. When you get to a shoulder you disengage the dog clutch and it stops carriage travel. Retract the tool, wind the carriage back by hand, advance the tool, click the dog clutch lever back in anywhere/anytime, lather, rinse, repeat.
As for the MT5 tailstock taper, it's just a matter of getting a couple of reducing sleeves to start with. MT to MT4 and MT5 to MT3 would be a good start. Later, add a robust MT5 taper live center. The crane for changing chucks is a Godsend. My 10" 3-jaw is manageable by hand, the 12" 4-jaw independent is right at the limit of what I can safely lift for now, that will change as I age.
He's got some work to do to get the taper attachment complete and working, but it should be doable. That's one of the few things I don't have for my lathe and wish I did.