Center drilling (More basic questions)

[Harold_V]

My opinion only. As stated, the tailstock would best be addressed as having a quill, readily differentiating that portion of the machine as opposed to the spindle of the headstock.

One uses the term quill to distinguish a component that rotates, from one that does not. A drop spindle mill (BP type machine) has a quill in which a spindle is housed. The spindle rotates, the quill does not, just as it does not rotate in a lathe tailstock.

All of my raving is related to holding a piece in a chuck or collet. Working between centers, although slower and more demanding of one's efforts, is akin to precision grinding, whereby the workpiece, once created to run on center by holding the material close to the end and drilling and/or boring the center, will yield a piece that runs true.

If an axle is machined by holding the material in a chuck, pretty good chance that when the wheels are assembled, they won't be perpendicular, or parallel with one another. The degree of error is drastically enhanced by the diameter of the wheels in question. Therefore, if one hopes for the best possible condition, the material would be held with soft jaws or a collet, extended enough for facing and center drilling, then reversed, cut to length and center drilled again. Minor error in the centers will most likely not be an issue, as they will be in relatively close alignment with one another. The axle then machined between centers, using a protective pad of aluminum or copper under the dog on the machined end, to protect the finish. An axle so machined, assuming one holds dimensions correctly, should assemble with a properly prepared wheel and run not only concentric, but perpendicular. That's assuming care is exercised in starting the axle if pressed. If assembled by heat shrink, the results should be VERY acceptable.

Harold

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

I agree that "quill" is more appropriate where the tailstock is
concerned. It is the term I usually use (except when discussing
SBL's). I just mentioned it because it isn't "universally" accepted
by all that this part is a "quill." I been in this debate before
on other sites. The SBL forum on PM uses "spindle" because this
is the nomenclature used by SBL. I don't mean to hijack this
thread but calling it a spindle isn't unheard of. I just wanted
the fact that some manufacturers call it a "spindle" to be known.
To me, it is a "quill."

Good Luck!
-Blue Chips-
Webb

[John Hasler]

"Ram" is also used (not by me).

[ctwo]

I appreciate the knowledge. Thank you.

[spro]

I use "ram" for the tailstock element because it is. I'm not making a big deal about it, for I know what others call the same thing. If I understand them, they understand me. A "quill" is a housing with a spindle and bearings. One part is a ram (the outside) with rack teeth or screw feed to advance the unit. This is old nomenclature.

[ctwo]

The best nomenclature, IMHO.

[Mr Ron]

I just read in a book, "Machine Tool Metalworking by Feirer and Tatro" (McGraw-Hill) the tail stock 'thingie" was referred to as a "spindle", so I take back my previous stand corrected reply.

[John Hasler]

I just read in a book, "Machine Tool Metalworking by Feirer and Tatro" (McGraw-Hill) the tail stock 'thingie" was referred to as a "spindle", so I take back my previous stand corrected reply.

Spindles rotate.

[warmstrong1955]

Spindles rotate.

Who says??

[spro]

Oh heck, we know what is meant, except when someone says "my tailstock is bent". The ram/spindle/quill isn't bent. The feedscrew has gotten bent and then the ram/spindle/quill flops around. In a way "spindle" is correct because of how the work is rotated against inserted tooling it to same effect as if the ram/barrel was a spindle or quill or whatever.

[John Hasler]

Spindles rotate.

Who says??

The women who invented them five or ten thousand years ago when they were developing spinning and weaving technology.

[warmstrong1955]

Spindles rotate.

Who says??

The women who invented them five or ten thousand years ago when they were developing spinning and weaving technology.

The axles & transmissions I have worked on & rebuilt.....they have spindles, but none rotate.....
Zero of 'em.