Aligning the tailstock

When should a tailstock be aligned/adjusted?

Before starting up a lathe for the first time
After adjusting the tailstock, e.g. for taper turning, so that the next turning results are not conical

Before aligning the tailstock, always check that the machine bed and headstock are correctly adjusted. This is because incorrect alignment of these two components also leads to incorrect adjustment of the tailstock.

The tailstock is optimally aligned when the centre point of the tailstock is at the same height as the axis of rotation / centre of the working spindle. Please note that the tailstock can only be adjusted laterally and not in height.

In our guide, we show you three different ways to adjust your tailstock correctly.

1st possibility

Alignment with two centres

Clamp the fixed centres supplied into both the tailstock and the work spindle. Then move the tailstock up to the work spindle and check whether the centring centres are in line or in contact with each other (Fig. 1).

If this is not the case, adjust the tailstock using the adjusting screws. These are located on the side of the tailstock (Fig. 2). By loosening the screws, the tailstock can be adjusted on the x-axis.

Centring centres of a lathe meet, red metal parts and a measuring scale with the marking "0 mm" are visible in the lower part of the picture.

Close-up of a red adjusting device with a screw on the side. A white line with an arrow marks the position of the screw. Parts of a workbench are recognisable.

2nd possibility

Over-turning

Clamp a softer workpiece (e.g. aluminium) briefly in the jaw chuck so that only a small piece can be machined. Then drill a centring hole using a centring drill (Fig. 1). Then clamp a travelling centre point/ centre punch in the tailstock and continue clamping the workpiece. The centre point/ centre punch should now support the workpiece (Fig. 2). By turning it lengthways, you can easily see whether the tailstock is misaligned (Fig. 3). If this is the case, the workpiece will be conical.

To align the tailstock correctly, first measure the deviations at the ends of the workpiece using a micrometer or calipers (Fig. 4 and 5). Then set the tailstock correctly using the adjusting screws.

A lathe with a drill that is machining a rotating silver piece of metal. Metal shavings are visible.

A bright bar centred with a pointed metal tool on a lathe. The metal tool is conical in shape and shiny.

Metalworking: A lathe moulds an elongated, silver piece of metal while chips fall off. Red and grey machine parts are visible in the foreground.

Close-up: A hand holds a blue caliper to measure a silver-coloured metal rod clamped in a lathe.

A man uses a micrometer to measure a workpiece that is clamped in a lathe.

3rd possibility

Alignment with test mandrels

First clamp the test mandrel between the two centring spikes (Fig. 1) so that the test mandrel is supported by them. The test mandrel already has a centring hole for this purpose. Alternatively, you can also clamp the test mandrel in the work spindle of your lathe and the centre point in the tailstock (Fig. 2). Then use a dial gauge to move the test mandrel horizontally to identify any deviations (Fig. 3).

If this is the case, adjust the tailstock using the side adjustment screws until the dial gauge no longer indicates any deviation (Fig. 4).

Please note that with this method there must be no dirt (e.g. swarf) in the work spindle etc., as this would otherwise negatively affect the measurement result and therefore the alignment of the tailstock.