Does anyone have a Buffalo Brand lathe (WL-6) or information on one?

[Russell Johnson]

I purchased this lathe last week but I'm missing the quill on the tailstock and I'm not sure what parts of this I'm missing. If someone has one I would like to understand what the tailstock looks like. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Here are some photos of what I have:
173668
173670

[Salvatore Buscemi]

Where's the rest of the lathe?

[Russell Johnson]

I will post another photo tonight But the only thing missing is the tailstock assembly this was screwed into. Essentially the side opposite of the handle comes off then reattaches once in the assembly. I have no place to attach a center.

[Salvatore Buscemi]

I was asking because it might be a common import lathe whose parts may be interchangeable with another brand. My cursory google search didn't turn anything up.

[Russell Johnson]

Here are some pictures with the part installed into the tailstock.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5259369882_eccd0d34d2_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5042/5258762417_7fa558a22e_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5046/5258761497_a2a23c78bf_b.jpg

[Jeff Nicol]

Russ, It looks like a very simple and not very intricate lathe. The part threaded onto the rod with the bolts and through holes is either some sort of adapter plate that other centers were mounted to. On most lathes there is a Morse taper portion that moves in and out with the turning of the handle and this tailstock is not set up to have that as it is threaded directly into the tailstock, so no quill at all. Your best bet it to try and find a used tailstock with the quill with an MT#2 bore in it or to try and get some sort of a center made that would be bolted onto what you have already. Like I said very rudimentary construction and most "Buffalo" tools were made to be sold at huge discount sales that come to town and advetise for a big 2 or 3 blow out sale with very little support after the sale.

Hope you can find a better one or get some sort of live or dead center to adapt to the one you have.

Jeff

[Russell Johnson]

I had one idea from a guy that did a DIY lathe. What he did was was have milled and threaded the last inch of the rod to accept a jacobs chuck. Would this seem reasonable solution? Also if I were to go the route of buying a used tailstock that accepts a mt #2 I would just want one off a lathe that had the same height turning radius or anything else I need to be concerned about?

[Salvatore Buscemi]

It looks like the harbor freight 14x40 wood lathe, maybe you can get the part from them.
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac100/fishman76_2010/24a232c6.jpg

[Russell Johnson]

Salvatore it does look almost dead on. I think they have this in the local store so I'm going to check if the srew has the same number of threads and diameter. If so I think it will work. Thank you for your suggestion.

[Michael James]

Salvatore it does look almost dead on. I think they have this in the local store so I'm going to check if the srew has the same number of threads and diameter. If so I think it will work. Thank you for your suggestion.

Let me know. I've got one of those being used as shelving in my garage. I bought it from a young man selling his dad's tools after he passed away. I just want the motor. If it will work for you - you can have it!
mj

[Russell Johnson]

Thank you Michael, I might just get back to you on that.

[Michael James]

Russell,
I measured 7 1/16th from ways to pointed tip from ways. The thread measures 7/8 with caliper to OD. Odd sizes, for sure. Im pretty sure the headstock is 3/4 by 16 but the tail definitely is larger.
Attached are photos for you to scrutinize.....lousy phone pics, but maybe they will help.
Good luck,
Michael

ps - dust, not rust:D