Mini Lathe tailstock modification part 1 - adding fine adjustments

The next modification project on the Mini Lathe is the tailstock. There are two main things to do here: first adding some fine adjustments for easy aligning the tailstock on center and second modifying the tailstocks clamping mechanism.
This first video is about making an extension for the upper part of the tailstock. This steel square bare holds a fine adjustment screw with which the tailstock can easily be adjusted sideways for bringing it on center - or off center for turning slight tapers as well. For this I had to modify the base of the tailstock and the upper part slightly to fit the new design which is once more following the professional lathe models.
In addition to that, I changed the clamping of the tailstock on its base plate so that the clamping screw is now accessible from the top and not from the underside as before. Now it's absolutely easy to clamp the tailstock in it's position after it's correct alignment. To do this, I needed the homemade reverse counterboring tool from the previous video.
I hope you enjoy the slightly larger format today. Let me know what you're thinking in the commments. For any questions or suggestions feel free to comment as well.
Reverse counterboring tool built: • Short project 1 - reve...
Keep in mind, due to very limited resources, I have to improvise a lot and go unconvenient ways which may upset some of the "real machinists" out here. Hope - with some creativity - in the end come to good resoults anyway.
- Hope you enjoy. Feel free to like and subscribe to the channel. Thank you! -
Bearings for the compound slide: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOeR_...
Brass nut for the compound: www.youtube.com/watch?v=J73u3...
Compound angle adjustment mod: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdkoT...
Instagram: / wecandothatbetter

[@hanrovisser7053]

Tip from a toolmaker: To check if your tailstock is dead center, turn a piece of stock between centers, if one side is bigger than the other, the allignment is off. Fiddle arround with the tailstock until the runout is at an acceptable level.

[@nutgone100]

At last! A KZbin machinist who actually knows how to hold (& operate) a hacksaw correctly! It’s a breath of fresh air. I just wish you’d do some talking in your videos, but I can live with that. Great work once again.

[@johncoops6897]

Yes, hacksaw for cutting... and a FILE for filing! Great to watch somebody who actually knows how to use these seemingly forgotten tools! Nothing more pathetic than watching somebody using a many $1000's power bandsaw to cut a piece of !/4" rod, then setting up a milling machine to deburr the corners of a chunk of steel.

[@garthkay-hards2427]

Well done. That's how things were done in the old days when one didn't have all the modern fancy tools.

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you very much! Yes you have to improvise a lot, but you'll get good results too :)

[@rickpalechuk4411]

Someone get this guy a mill stat! Nicely done, and with limited tooling, thanks for sharing, Cheers

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Haha, thank you Sir! :)

[@whereswaldo5740]

The saying is if you have a lathe you can make any machine in the shop. Including another lathe. This was a pretty good example.

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

@@whereswaldo5740 Thanks :)

[@fourkings7897]

@@whereswaldo5740 as ThisOldTony said, better lathe than never

[@mreza84]

@@fourkings7897 😀😁😀

[@richkellow1535]

One of the best videos I have seen in a long time, and the blackbird outside thinks so too......10/10.

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you so much for your kind comment! I really do appreciate that. Good you listened to the garden birds, it's always relaxing :)

[@bustednuckles2]

A genius concept to overcome the barbaric system they come with and a fantastic execution. Well done sir!

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you so much! I really do appreciate that! Had to laugh about the term "barbaric system" :DD you nailed it! :)

[@bustednuckles2]

@@WeCanDoThatBetter I had a friend make me a much wider base for mine out of Stainless Steel. I had him leave off the taper that came with the centering block on the original so I should be able to duplicate part of your set up. I like that reverse counter bore idea also. I drilled 4 holes, two on each side and installed Brass screws to clamp the upper part to the base. It gives just a wee bit of wiggle room for aligning it to the actual center line and clamps it tight. Being a full inch wider at the base makes a huge difference in stability. I sure wish I had more time to devote to the little bugger but I am finding life switches to Warp Speed after 60. Lol! I am looking forward to your next installments.

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

@@bustednuckles2 thanks :) The wider base is surely a big improvement. The original tailstock stands not very solid on the bed. I considered about a new and wider baseplate too, but that's a bit too much of a project for now. I than went for some extra weight on the tailstock in form of the steel application and the new clamping plates from the underside will hopefully add some extra weight pulling the tailstock down on the machine bed.

[@richardrounce7138]

As a CNC "machinist" you did a really good job. Amazing craftsmanship, you should look into ER collets, surface plates and a belt sander. Cheers from Canada!

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Hey, thank you for your kind comment! Yes, a collet chuck and some collets would be great, I have that in mind to :) and yes, a belt sander would make grinding a lot easier... I have to consider that.

[@rogerdeane3608]

Not every one is made of money.

[@richardrounce7138]

@@rogerdeane3608 Kinda why i said look into those tools mate.

[@mathewmolk2089]

@@WeCanDoThatBetter Not only did you do it without a mill, You didn;t even have a milling ATTACHMENT !!!!! Outstanding my brother. BTW You handle files like a toolmaker.

[@RedDogForge]

@@rogerdeane3608 collet chucks and belt grinders can be made.

[@heXbelongs2me]

well it's a lathe kzbin.infoUgkxN9zrzkkhnjUF5PQbuA_B1gYdsfCu9k6z but it wasn't what i would have anticipated. Headstock, tailstock, carriage apron are manufactured from aluminum now not cast iron. The spindle diameter for the bearings is too small allowing for a few play in the spindle so I am using some blue Loctite to take out the play.

[@Rustamjon.Kayumov]

Uzbekistondan salom, stanog va dastgohlar aslida zavodda 100%ishlatish uchun tayyor bolishi kerak, biz sotib olib sifatini yaxshilash uchun ishlaymiz.Sanatingizga tasannolar 👏👍.

[@rafaelcalvo478]

Twenty-two of the most interesting minutes of my week! Congratulations, Sir!

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you so much, Sir! All the best

[@machineshopinagarage4699]

The reverse counter bore worked great!

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

To be honest, I didn't expect it to work so well for an improvised tool :D It did it's job excellent :)

[@tumbystyle4844]

Hi

[@M00j3]

I had no idea what this comment meant, and then I saw it and thought "damn, that did work well."

[@flyingcoyote5]

I actually need to do this on an upcoming job. I guess I know how I'm going to do it.

[@meanderingbird286]

Good logical solution and nice to see traditional bench fitting skills being used in the process.

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you very much for your kind comment!

[@mrwolsy3696]

The 1st youtube machinist not to pull a scribed line with the tips of the calipers!

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Haha, Thank you! :D I acutally did this in my very first video. I just started and had very little tooling. But after some angry comments about scribing with the calipers I changed to a scriber pen and yes, that's definitely better ;) Thanks for yous comment :)

[@scottlong62]

Nice job, I always use a center drill before drilling with a tailstock.

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you! Yes usually I use a center drill too. But in the beginning of the video it was for illustration purposes to show that the tailstock is off center. So just for transporting the message no real work ;)

[@snyper7979]

Again, another very creative way to solve a huge problem. The precision that the parts and modifications that you madr made were just amazing to watch. I look forward to watching more of you video's. I find them to be very relaxing and very educational as well.

[@uguyssss]

Fantastic videos! Your re-engineering of this inferior machine is incredible!

[@daveys]

I like that reverse counterbore tool. That’s awesome!

[@mikilp2087]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJqqm3Suma-GhNk

[@nlo114]

Nice job. my 1974 bantam comes with factory adjuster screws. For occasional checking, I put an off-cut of silver-steel round in the chuck, slacken the tailstock clamps and adjustments screws and fit the other end of the bar in the tailstock chuck. The two chucks are then parallel, and the adjuster can be moved then tightened in place. I'm a hobby-engineer, so 1/2 a thou is quite good enough for me.

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thanks for your comment! That's actually a cool way of quick aligning. I like that, thanks for the tip :)

[@doc1701]

What a great project. Thanks for taking the time to upload. All the best from Australia.

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Hi, thanks for your kind words! :) All the best too

[@user-tv2gi9dx5u]

Токарь, пилил квадрат в тисках, а затем, зажал в патроне! ШЕДЕВРА!

[@EigenkonstruktDe]

Endless work on those mini lathes 😅 Great video and content!

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you very much! :) You can always make somethin better on this machines:D But if you like that, it's great :)

[@charruauno386]

From Uruguay thank you for sharing, I love the tool idea, it is genius. The Mod it is superb, all the best.

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you so much for your comment! I really do appreciate it. All the best for you as well

[@daveys]

The start of that video was quite like one of ThisOldTony’s productions! Edit: Now I’ve seen the subscribe bell, it’s definitely in a ThisOldTony style. Great work, and excellent homage :-)

[@zdenekzamecnik1204]

Velmi pěkné video a krásně tam na konci zpívají ptáčkové.

[@leroidelabagarre]

I understand that it is not only my micro lathe which have this issue. Thx, I'll try something like you!

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

I think it's a common problem on this lathes. Thanks for your comment.

[@tumbystyle4844]

Hi

[@leksey7870]

Precise work! Everything turned out perfectly! Good luck!

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thanks!

[@craigywaigy4703]

Your videos are VERY well produced and scripted - You should have more subs and views!! These little lathes are fantastic, great value and super for learning to machine on - Better still, as the user's skill improves, then the value engineering of the sub-assemblies of the machine become obvious, but these now become a real life practical machining task for the user, so that the machine can adapt to the user's increased skills!! I absolutely love mine, although I burnt out the DC motor(my fault for overloading the machine and for way too long) on mine - They are great for knocking out small stuff for repair jobs, etc! Keep up the great work.

[@mikilp2087]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJqqm3Suma-GhNk

[@nasirmirza5108]

Excellent work 👏 this guy had really great passion to work like this.

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you very much my friend!

[@YooProjects]

Great idea for milling with the lathe. Great channel mate 👍

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you very much my friend!

[@StriK3FoRC3OwO]

I never saw someone use his lathe as a CNC bevore That's just brilliant!

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you very much! I have to improvise quite a lot, because I have only this lathe and a drill press. I may took much time but you can still get some good results :)

[@CRILIKk]

Outstanding & you did it better for sure , will be doing similar to mine including cam lock, thanks for sharing 🙏🏽

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you my friend! I'm planning the camlock modification at the moment. It will be the next video.

[@CRILIKk]

Nice , I look forward to it , iv seen a few ideas but I bet yours will be better

[@Underwatergoat1]

Really impressed. I have so much yet to learn.

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you very much! :)

[@Underwatergoat1]

@@WeCanDoThatBetter Thank you. My minilathe arrived yesterday. I did a bit of playing around and watched your video and did my first proper job with it today.

[@johnmorton7577]

Just found your channel subscribed and watched all of your videos and will be looking forward to more in the future Great content from Tulia Texas out on the farm 🚜

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you so much!! That makes me really happy! :)

[@kimber1958]

I loved it , new sub , I look forward to looking at your older videos and being alerted when your new videos come out

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you very much for your comment! I really do appreciate that. New video is in progress

[@florincoter1988]

I have this machine and I fix small things my grand kids brake. If I need some really precise work done I'll buy a better tool. I believe that buying the right tool in the first place is the better decision. It saves in the long run more money, and more important, time. I have worked with tools like Schaublin 80 years old, some 60 years old English made, some 40 years old Austrian. No one needed any fixing. Once set, only. TLC. Making a Perspex or Al rod of 50mm X 140 um was an easy job. Including silicon rubber machining at room temperature. At any rate, excellent job done in the clip.

[@wilcojuffer5940]

very nice tool you make for back hole cleaning 👍👍👍

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you! :) Was very happy it worked so well in the end :)

[@pabloiervolino2265]

Muy Buen trabajo !!! Te felicito!!! Un Saludo desde Argentina 🇦🇷

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

muchas gracias!

[@miguelgarrido8083]

Me ha gustado tu trabajo, pulcro y a la antigua, usando la sierra de mano y la lima con maestria. Y como siempre se aprende algo me ha gustado mucho el util para mandrinar la cabeza allen sin salida , una leccion de recursos. Lamento no saber ingles, pero la mecanisca es un lenguaje UNIVERSAL. Repito he disfrutado mucho. Saludos y felicitaciones de un ajustador Jubilado

[@bubisav123]

Excellent job. Bravo...

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you! :)

[@sergiocarvalho3724]

Nice job! Compliments off Portugal

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you!

[@marcelvan7178]

Top. Nice work. very nice film work.

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you very much! I really do appreciate that!

[@weathervanerc8147]

Well done. That is a cool project.

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you! Really do appreciate that!

[@johnkelly9046]

That was really satisfying to watch. I can't wait till I get my own lathe and start playing with modifying it. 😁👍

[@steamsearcher]

Wonderful and yes I have a Love Hate relationship with most of my currently 9 lathes. 2 from last year were rescue Lathes. FREE? A Raglan 5 and a Super 7 both with gearboxes!!! 30 years in a leaking roofed workshop tells of a different story. I was going to CNC the mini lathe but now do a Capstan version instead. I have a mk 2 Super 7 two more Raglans messy. Emco 8 E. Home made at School. And a Unimat 3. D & L Reading.

[@benjaminbenavidesiglesias52]

Last take very nice 👍

[@SMOKEY-JAYS-DIESEL]

Awesome work 👏💯

[@thisolesignguy2733]

That damn shopvac gets me everytime! I'm watching and really getting into it, then that loud WHIRRRRRR goes off and scares the crap out of me. reminds me of those videos where a mask jumps out and screams haha

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Sorry for that! I'll try not to do that anymore ;)

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank's for watching anyway! :)

[@thisolesignguy2733]

@@WeCanDoThatBetter I wasn't complaining, just thought it was funny! I love your videos, so no worries!

[@witoldmarkowski8075]

Nice video and nice work, however it would be good to make a final test how it works after modification: just like at the beginning of the video (the same drill bit, similar material, etc.)

[@laplantamichay]

the moment this guy gets a mill it's over

[@MsMike1718]

Bom trabalho, com pouco fez muito, bons upgrades ao torno👌

[@Wrighmachining]

Love the camera angle ,I have to bring the level up after watching your channel :)

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you very much! :)

[@ParsMaker]

nice work, I've made similar thing on my mini lathe tailstock :)

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Hi, thanks! Now watched your video, really pretty the same thing. Seems to work fine too. Good work :)

[@digipeso]

Ótimo trabalho. Vc é um artista.

[@user-yq3cf2sy3l]

Мой ученик.

[@applied.precision]

Good move switching to a short shank for pilot holing. That bit was deflecting a lot.

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

In the beginning? That's for illustration purposes. Should point out the problem of an uncentered tailstock and lead to the need of a proper way of aligning the tailstock. That's why I used an extra deflecting drill bit in the beginning.

[@MarceloPereira-ll4go]

Isso sim é um bom profissional parabéns

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you :)

[@506d6a]

amazing!!!! great job!!

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you my friend!

[@davidjames1007]

Great job, I've also done something similar to my tail stock, but not as good as yours.

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you! That's a modification quite worthwhile I think :)

[@rain650901]

超讚的，雖然我不會這，但看了超療愈的

[@pmsilvei]

This video made me subscribe your channel, and I don't even got a mini lathe... YET! 😅👌🏻

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

:D Thank you so much!

[@user-kl8no7nz8o]

Спасибо,теперь есть примерное понимание решения этой проблемы!

[@AntonMalygin]

Super idea...thanks

[@nasseryoussef8943]

بارك الله في رجل عمل عملا واتقنه You like perfection work

[@6NBERLS]

Most excellent

[@octymocty132]

Be nice to see center dril bits being used with all the effort put in jut to make sure holes are as dam 100%

[@Hegmex]

Great job! 🖒

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you!

[@chiedoctor]

Nice job brother,,👍👍 greeting from Indonesian.. 🙏

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you a lot! I really do appreciate that!

[@engineeringari9136]

Nice Regards from indonesia

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thanks, best regards!

[@sunilchavan7771]

Great job

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you :)

[@rohmatbubut]

Kreatif dan canggih luar biasa ,, 👍 om ,,,

[@gibamec7636]

Very good job! 🇧🇷

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you very much! :)

[@antonimartin7837]

Good anb elegant job!!

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you very much!

[@JR-be4du]

Good job 👍👍

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thanks!

[@mohammadfarid635]

nice video. nice content. nice results. perfect 😁

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you very much! :)

[@Stuart_Cox1969]

Very cool

[@bulletproofpepper2]

Thanks for sharing !

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you!

[@reissigmirandahidrogo5347]

Excelente información estoy aprendiendo a hacer más precisó en la práctica.

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

muchas gracias! :)

[@mariocora2451]

Bravissimo !!!

[@mikekerezsi9672]

Really cool mod

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you!

[@denniswilliams8747]

I bought two head stocks and three tail stocks trying to improve my mini lathe. If I had all that I spent on this chinese junk I could have bought a better lathe to begin with. My mini now is pretty serviceable. A morse taper test bar is a worth while investment. Thanks

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Haha :D that's a massive material consumption :) What have you done to the head stock? A morse taper test bar is something I consider to machine on my little lathe on my own. But not sure yet if this is a good idea :) thanks

[@SwissplWatches]

So inspiring

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you :)

[@stefanov3295]

Spettacolare 👏👏👏

[@wawanteknik]

Amazing your content iam from indonesia

[@ARIFINLATHE]

Very good jobs sir..🇮🇩

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you very much!

[@user-qw3jn7bd7i]

Good job~!

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thanks!

[@harlech2]

My daughter walked in to sit my coffee down while you were milling the square stock and said "Doesn't he know that's what a milling machine is for?" LOL

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Clever ;) At this time, I just got no milling machine:)

[@jamescad9978]

I like the way you think

[@rossideas5884]

good job bro

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you!

[@dopemood]

beautiful🎉

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thanks!

[@juanantonioruiz8130]

Nice Job. Like🇪🇸🇪🇸

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thanks :)!

[@eddietowers5595]

Awesome job! Your drill bit may need sharpening, if not honing. Keep up the good work.

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you ;)! Yes, some of my drillbits would need some care:)

[@eddietowers5595]

@@WeCanDoThatBetter Oh, it's understandable...specially when you're having fun.

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

@@eddietowers5595 ;)

[@GlennNowOnYouTube]

Super great job. I may do the same thing to my mini lathe tailstock, If you don't mind me using your design.

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thanks for your comment! Feel free to copy:)

[@mosfet51]

Love the reverse counter bore trick.

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Yes, it was definitely worth the extra tool built. Worked quite well.

[@FedaykinMatt]

That sadness when i notice your tungsten chip @12:28 :/ great work though!

[@CNC_MRC]

Super, bardzo super.👍

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you!

[@user-gc1ng5cv9c]

Очень хорошо!

[@millennialbiker906]

Well Done

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thanks!

[@artmckay6704]

Nice job! :)

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

Thank you :)

[@artmckay6704]

@@WeCanDoThatBetter :)

[@MarceloPereira-ll4go]

Top

[@jimsvideos7201]

Make yourself a bigger t-nut to go under that tailstock; it's easy and way more comfortable to use.

[@WeCanDoThatBetter]

I already did that together with a lever clamping modification. You'll see it in my last video. I'm currently working on the final video. Should be ready next weekend.

[@jimsvideos7201]

@@WeCanDoThatBetter I look forward to it!

[@giuly7043]

Sei un grande