Thread: Taper turning attachment for Hercus

Hi there. Sounds like you plan to make a copy of the original dovetailed taper attachment. If so, mild steel will be just fine, and a milled finish to the dovetails too.

However, before committing yourself, have a look at this link:
Taper Attachment
It uses a round bar instead of dovetail. Depending on your personal preferences that may or may not be an easier to make alternative.

Another idea to consider: most taper attachment designs require you to disconnect the cross slide leadscrew. But if you are prepared to sacrifice on the maxim possible diameter for taper turning, it is possible to make a separate cross slide attachment to fit on top of your existing topslide. This makes it much easier to convert from normal turning to taper turning and back.... but it limits maximum workpiece diameter. I guess it depends what you want a taper attachment for.

In any case, it is always a good idea to search the net and look at how others already solved the problem. That avoids having to reinvent the wheel all over again.

Chris

Thanks Chris I do have that page also others but I think the dovetail one may be a better option with my low level machining skills I think your idea of a separate cross slide is worth a bit of investigation have you seen any on the internet that I could look at do they fit in the same bore as the compound

Thanks Les

Just use the Compound nut that suits the Taper Attachment.

Hi pipeclay unsure what you mean about compound nut

Change it to say Cross Slide.

Hi Les,
Possibly you are aware that the original taper turning attachments where made from fine grain cast iron, as far as I am aware this is normal with all the Hercus slides.
Mal

Hi allterrain50

Yes I Do know the original is cast but it is hard to find someone to cast it at a reasonable price I dont do a lot of taper turning just a hobby so I thought it might work well enough to be worth trying The other question I had was about being attached to carriage by the bottom slide on the taper att I was thinking about a solid bracket at each end clamped to bed without bottom slide do you think this might work

Thanks Les

Rob did a fantastic job on this welded up one. It should give you some ideas.
Myford Taper Turning Atahment AGIAN

Dave

Hi Dave J

What a great job plenty of photos and ideas for me to mull over Thanks heaps
Thanks Les

I can have some hercus taper attachments cast in grey iron for a reasonable amount if anyone is interested, you'd need to machine them and I don't think there's anything challenging about them. A show of hands would be good. I have an original to use for making a pattern. The taper attachment fits both the 9" and 10" lathes. I have also have some unmachined extended cross slide castings for both lathes. These are the slotted ones with boring table that can be left permanently on the lathe. The compound fits on top.

Originally Posted by ljvs1951

Hi allterrain50

Yes I Do know the original is cast but it is hard to find someone to cast it at a reasonable price I dont do a lot of taper turning just a hobby so I thought it might work well enough to be worth trying The other question I had was about being attached to carriage by the bottom slide on the taper att I was thinking about a solid bracket at each end clamped to bed without bottom slide do you think this might work

Thanks Les

I would be interested in both taper attachment casting and extended cross slide -Chris

I too would be interested in the taper turning castings and an extended cross slide

Regrads
Garry

OK. I can do two cross slides for $50 each plus post and pack. I'll put a drawing with it but they're straight forward machining. I've had the circular dovetail hole cast in the top to make boring easier on the mill. The overall casting length is a little over 11" , width is 4.5" at widest point. The tee slots will have to be machined where you want them. The original cross slide nut can be reused from your old slide and a full length gib is needed but you can get away with the old one. It's easy enough to make a new gib once you have done the dovetails. No scraping should be necessary on the carriage a this holds the original accuracy.

The taper turning attachment will take a little time perhaps a few weeks, maybe new year at this stage as I need to make the patterns. Costwise I can't put a figure on it yet but it will probably be around $150. If you're serious I'll get working on the patterns.

I also have a few sets of Vertical Slide castings as per the Hercus pattern, it fits both 9" and 10" lathes. I would like $75 per set for those.

Send me a PM if you want any of the above items.

Cheers,
Peter.

Swarfmaker1,

When you say vertical slide castings, are you referring to a vertical milling attachment?

Ken