lathe bed ways

[bob bennett]

I have had an ancient 12" Atlas lathe bed for years having purchased it at a garage sale. It only had a head stock. I am going to use it for woodworking. I found a Rockwell duplicator on ebay and most recently a tail stock. The ways are 2 3/4" apart which is what the tail stock is. The fit is rather tight. It has a guide bar on its' bottom with set screws. Are the set screws on there to adjust the tail stock?

 

[WILD-BILL]

If it's the screws I'm thinking of they are to aglin (or offset) the tail stock to the spindle.

 

[sasquatch12]

Not sure what "Rather tight" means, you could get someone to mill a few thou off each side.

 

[bob bennett]

No. Not the two screws used for centering the tail stock with the head stock. there are screws on a guide bar that seem to be to adjust it into the space > 2 3/4"

 

[bob bennett]

Thanks, but I have since found a link which has the original manual for this lathe. The screws on the guide are for adjustment, which was my guess.

 

[Zeke]

Yep, you found the gib screws. It's tight because it came from another machine. You have to set it up for your machine.

 

[bob bennett]

Thanks. I have a lot to learn. Right now, I am wondering why the tail stock assy when centered on itself is offset from the headstock center. When aligned with the marks, it is set for a taper. ???? I know how to adjust it, but why??? I'm missing something.