Hi folks
Thanks for your suggestions ... actually, I really am looking to replace the tailstock (smile), would love to know of any possibilities!
Hi DavidA,
> is the whole tailstock moving or is it the tailstock quill?
The quill is certainly wobbling in time with the drill bit, and the tailstock is showing some of that movement which is imperceptible by the time it gets to the bed which is pretty rigid.
> Also, does it do this if you drill up to 10 mm incrementally?
Sure, no problem if I drill 3, 6, 8, 9, 10. But life is too short! OK, I don't just want to drill 10 from a centre punch, happy to do 6 first; but it will wobble when the quill has travelled 25 mm in this case in aluminium.
> I'm assuming it isn't something silly like a bent drill.
Nah, nothing silly!
Hi howsitwork?,
> stub drills
I run a stub 6 mm when I need to just drill a short damn hole immediately, but anything longer requires the 3, 6, 8, 9, 10 sequence.
> piloting it
I use a centre drill routinely, and then run the 3, 6, 8, 9, 10 sequence.
Hi chipenter,
> have you tried a new drill
Yes, my drills are sharp and new every year or so or when I notice any performance degradation.
Hi gerritv
> tailstock accurately aligned with the spindle
Now that is one of the issues with the tailstock, there is absolutely no way to adjust alignment. Fortunately, it is acceptably good, but I would prefer to get it spot-on. Hence, I really am looking to replace the tailstock.