Tailstock Quill Key Replacement

The amount of rotational ''slop'' on the quill was needing some attention - so we made a new and custom key for it, having to finally fine tune with a file to a profile that would improve things. End result was certainly better but not total - very hard to achieve an absolute remedy but worth the effort.

[MrPragmaticLee]

A definite improvement. I suspect the remaining "slop" is in the hole in the casting as you mentioned early on. Personally I would not harden the key since it is reasonably hard already. Thanks for sharing.

[tectalabyss]

Hi Chris. Awesome repair. It being a bit longer is a good thing helps keep the ends from biting into the sides of the key way, has its moved forward and back. I am looking forward to more.
All my best.
Bobby

[cmonster]

Happy Thanksgiving bud you almost gave me inspiration to repair mine

[machiningbasics]

Great job my first ever lathe was a myford ml4 which was free to me ! But it was totally worn out . But after a new spindle, bearings, saddle, tailstock quill - all screws and a regrind it wasn’t too bad

[Daledavispratt]

My old Atlas needs the same type of repair. Thanks Chris! Always good to hear from you. :-)

[abcdefg]

I think that any tailstock quill is going to have some radial movement, but it is annoying, especially when you start to drill a large diameter hole, and the slack is taken up with a bang, I always rotate the chuck before drilling to take up the slack. You could have increased the length of the key even more to give more bearing surface when you made the new key, although, as you observed, the wear would be mainly in one place which would have meant milling the keyway back to parallel, (is the quill hardened ?) and also re drilling the key supporting hole, what feels tight when trying by hand would easily be wound through with the quill wheel. You did achieve your reduction in backlash and it looks much better now. Thanks for posting this, Chris B.

[AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

I would guess it would be just as well to let it set and see how well it wears.

[EverettsWorkshop]

Looks good! My lathe has rotational slop in the tailstock quill as well, might have to do this to it like you did yours.

[jeffryblackmon]

Happy Thanksgiving, Chris. You did a nice custom fitting job. I can't see why the rotation would matter. I'd be more concerned with axial movement. Thanks for taking time to record your work. Speaking of cold weather, perhaps you should buy an insulated suit. I have both the bib type and the coverall type, they keep me warm while working outdoors. Cheerio!

[stevecoffman]

Very nice Chris. Looks good. Finally started to cool off here in AZ. Glade it does not as cold here as there.
Be Good.

[darynradcliffe]

Hi Chris, my maximat v10p has a screw on spindle nose but the chucks etc. Use a split ring type locking collar, works a treat and probably fairly simple to do....
Kind regards
Daryn
Southwest UK

[pierresgarage]

Hi Chris,
A little bit of rotation in the tail stock isn't that critical, keep the key softer, it's easier to make another ket than rework the slot on the sliding cylinder...
Good result... ;)

[michaelmurray]

Your new key has sure minimized the rotational play. Some play is normal. Most likely it now has less wiggle than most of lathes out there. Great job Chris!

[shadowfox]

Nice job Chris. Especially on such a small part. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving Holiday.

[shawnmrfixitlee]

That worked out very well ! I would not harden the key as then it will where the way in the slide .. Thumbs up Chris ..

[raymondmarteene]

Hi Chris, Steve Jordan has done a video on securing a screw on chuck on his Myford ML7, looks to work well.
Cheers
Raymond

[MaturePatriot]

I understood you to say the key/pin is made from drill rod. If so it is hard enough unless you annealed it before machining. Great work on a small piece. We've been enjoying 60 degree weather here in TN. Move down here and be my neighbor! LOL

[awhs]

Hi, Chris. I think the cheaper, expendable/replaceable key should be softer than the quill, so I would not harden it. I'd put the thing back together and try it out. If you don't like it,  Plan B awaits.

Happy Thanksgiving

 Tom

[johnkinnane]

G'day Chris if you "harden" the key you still have a problem with the quill wearing. To me it looks like a good fit with minimal play. If it was mine I would leave it any way the keys made out of good hard stock. Regards John

[ofujuncky]

Good to see you at it! Think I would harden it! Thanks