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G4002/3 Gear Head Lathes -11-
Live Center
The live center is used to support stock which is
too long to be supported by the chuck alone.
Stock protruding more than three times its diam-
eter should be supported by the live center.
Figure 4. Live center installed in tailstock.
Figure 5. Steady rest in place.
Steady Rest
The steady rest supports long, small diameter
stock that otherwise could not be turned. The
steady rest can also replace the tailstock to allow
for cutting tool access at the outboard end of your
workpiece.
To mount the steady rest:
1. Secure to bedway from below with the lock-
ing plate.
2. A single hex bolt, along with a nut and
washer, is used to hold the steady rest in
place. See Figure 5.
3. The bearing surfaces on the steady rest
should receive periodic lubrication while in
use to prevent premature wear.
The tailstock barrel and live center have a Morse
taper #3. Before assembling these, insure that
the mating surfaces are “white glove” clean.
These parts will last longer and remain accurate
when properly maintained. Morse tapers will not
interlock when oil is present on the mounting sur-
faces. Insert the end of the live center into the tail-
stock bore until it seats. The force of a mounted
workpiece will fully seat the taper.
When using a live center, the tailstock barrel
should protrude about
1
⁄2'' and not more than 3''.
See Figure 4.
To remove the live center, back the tailstock bar-
rel all the way into the tailstock casting. The live
center will pop out. Be sure to catch it when it
comes out to avoid damaging the tip.