Hi,
Yes, other people have suggested this as well
I'm loathed to drill holes in my standard tail stock but...
I have acquired another tail-stock from a different Hardinge lathe, with the intention (and it it will take me a while) of converting it into a wheel/lever tail-stock , that one is already drilled for a pneumatic lift/float .
Bill
quote author=rotorhead link=topic=4845.msg89828#msg89828 date=1364466339]
Question for Bill Todd,
Regarding your heavy tailstock, have you thought of aircushioning it, I once worked on a large crank grinder with the same problem (it even had a rack and pinion).
So we drilled a 3/8" dia deep hole from the handle end, either side of the guides to within an inch of the front.
Then drilled 1/32" holes from the base up into the freshly drilled gallery, at about an inch apart, not sure if we didn't enlarge these after a trial run.
Tapped the gallery holes 1/4" BSP, then coupled together an airline to feed both sides at the same time(obviously).
As far as I can remember it worked satisfactorily.
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