PM3520 Tailstock Removal

[Charlie]

When I want to turn a bowl at the end of the lathe, it is necessary to remove the tailstock assembly. Not only is the assembly heavy, but it requires space to store it after removal. There are several commercially built solutions, but not only are they expensive, none of them meet my criteria. I don't want to add permanent length to the lathe bed. I also don't want to swing the unit 180 degrees to the back side of the bed because it will be in the way of a steady rest. The following photos are the results of 3 hours of work and $7 materials (hinges and bolts, I had the MDF and hard maple). The unit folds under the lathe bed extension, utilizing unused space. It takes about 10 seconds to remove or install the tailstock assembly. Note: The design will only work on PM3520's with the optional 18" bed extension.​

Tailstock assembly in normal position and removal unit (black box) in stowed position.

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Hard maple and MDF removal unit in position. Note the u-shaped channel which prevents the tailstock assembly from sliding off the removal unit.​

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Tailstock assembly slid onto and locked to removal unit.
Note: Prop stick is only for photograph purposes.​

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Assembly/unit in swing away position.​

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Assembly/unit in locked position, totally out of the way and utilizing unused space.​

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Swing clip that locks assembly/unit in place.

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[erasmussen]

That should work just as good or better then the premade ones:icon_thum
Now if I just had a pm 3520

 

[woodArtz]

Now that is slick. I need to get the extension first. Most of the swing away tailstock fixtures cost upwards of $200. Good design Charlie! :icon_thum:icon_thum:icon_thum

 

[jhreed]

fantastic engineering. flawless execution. wonderful pictures. excellent steady rest. operating room clean shop.

A clean shop is a sign of a cluttered mind.
James

 

[aplpickr]

Are you going to make plans available? What holds the black block up while you are sliding tailstock on to it?

Bill

 

[Charlie]

Earl, I have only one lathe, you have two:wink_smil

Woodartz, Unfortunately the bed extension retails for $380, but when I purchased it with the lathe it didn't hurt too bad.

James, The older I get, the more cluttered my mind gets it gets. It's much easier to clean up the shop.:gar-La;

Bill, It would take me longer to draw plans than it took to build the unit. I just hold up on the black box with one hand, slide the tailstock on with the other hand, swing the assembly down and into the stowed position. It works very well and doesn't require nearly as much effort as removing the tailstock and sitting it on the floor.

 

[dlrion]

I was at Charlie's shop today, and he is being modest, I believe with practice this could be done successfully in under 3 seconds. I was amazed at how clean and easy the whole process was.

Dan

 

[Splinter]

You should get a patent on your invention. I don't have a PM but that looks slick. Maybe you could sell the idea to PM.