Aaron Wingert
09-04-2016, 1:05 AM
Hey everybody. I'm having a heck of a time with my three year old Jet 1221vs lathe's tailstock and am hoping to pick your brains. These issues have developed over time and are not something I've always had trouble with.
The problem is twofold:
1) It seems to lock down firm, as is normal. But when I engage the tailstock into a workpiece the base of the tailstock visibly moves to the right on the bed ways, away from the workpiece. The movement is maybe 1/8"-3/16", then it seems to get fairly tight. Not tight enough, but better than nothing. I'm experiencing similar issues when drilling on the lathe, and it is sure making things challenging. On both Jet lathes I've owned, an occasional 1/8-1/4 turn on the lock nut down by the hanging washer has been needed to take up the slack in the lock-down lever. The lever on this lathe is locking down in an appropriate position, and is locking down tight. Or so it seems.
2) When the locking lever is released and the tailstock is moved away from the workpiece (to the right toward the end of the bed ways), it takes a heck of an effort to get it to move. The washer is catching under the ways and if I want the tailstock to move smoothly out of the way I have to reach under the ways and pull the bolt/washer assembly along as well as the tailstock itself. The locking lever has to be wiggled back and forth to facilitate one-handed movement of the tailstock (the tool rest assembly does the same thing to a lesser extent).
Here's what I've tried:
-I've taken the locking mechanism of the tailstock apart to check for wear on the lever's lobe. Jet's tech support person told me to do this, but he seemed to be at a loss. No notable wear was noted.
-I've looked the bolt and washer over for damage or unusual wear. Nothing noted.
-I've looked for cracks in the casting. Nada.
-I've fiddled with the lock nut to cinch things up to no avail, and it worsens the "catchy" nature of the washer under the ways when sliding the tailstock.
-I've laid a straight edge across the washer to check it for flatness. My method wasn't super-precise but I didn't note any bent or cupped areas.
-I've found that a lot of WD40 seems to keep the parts moving when sliding the tailstock but doesn't help with its unwillingness to lock down and stay put.
Jet's guy was not very helpful, albeit nice. I think he didn't know what to tell me. The lathe is still under warranty. If anyone has any similar experiences I'd be tickled to know what you did to fix yours. I use my lathe every single day, so when it isn't working like it should I've got a problem!
Thanks,
Aaron
The problem is twofold:
1) It seems to lock down firm, as is normal. But when I engage the tailstock into a workpiece the base of the tailstock visibly moves to the right on the bed ways, away from the workpiece. The movement is maybe 1/8"-3/16", then it seems to get fairly tight. Not tight enough, but better than nothing. I'm experiencing similar issues when drilling on the lathe, and it is sure making things challenging. On both Jet lathes I've owned, an occasional 1/8-1/4 turn on the lock nut down by the hanging washer has been needed to take up the slack in the lock-down lever. The lever on this lathe is locking down in an appropriate position, and is locking down tight. Or so it seems.
2) When the locking lever is released and the tailstock is moved away from the workpiece (to the right toward the end of the bed ways), it takes a heck of an effort to get it to move. The washer is catching under the ways and if I want the tailstock to move smoothly out of the way I have to reach under the ways and pull the bolt/washer assembly along as well as the tailstock itself. The locking lever has to be wiggled back and forth to facilitate one-handed movement of the tailstock (the tool rest assembly does the same thing to a lesser extent).
Here's what I've tried:
-I've taken the locking mechanism of the tailstock apart to check for wear on the lever's lobe. Jet's tech support person told me to do this, but he seemed to be at a loss. No notable wear was noted.
-I've looked the bolt and washer over for damage or unusual wear. Nothing noted.
-I've looked for cracks in the casting. Nada.
-I've fiddled with the lock nut to cinch things up to no avail, and it worsens the "catchy" nature of the washer under the ways when sliding the tailstock.
-I've laid a straight edge across the washer to check it for flatness. My method wasn't super-precise but I didn't note any bent or cupped areas.
-I've found that a lot of WD40 seems to keep the parts moving when sliding the tailstock but doesn't help with its unwillingness to lock down and stay put.
Jet's guy was not very helpful, albeit nice. I think he didn't know what to tell me. The lathe is still under warranty. If anyone has any similar experiences I'd be tickled to know what you did to fix yours. I use my lathe every single day, so when it isn't working like it should I've got a problem!
Thanks,
Aaron