The tailstock is a one-piece aluminum casting. A lost foam pattern was used. After cutting off the sprue, the bottom was milled flat and squared up. The top was then milled square and true. The mounting holes were drilled to fit and align with the mill table T-slots. After securing the tailstock casting to the table, the rotary table was mounted, and a pointed scribe secured in the chuck. The tailstock casting center was then marked for drilling . After the center was drilled and reamed to 0.376, a 1/16" slot was cut parallel to the center rod using a slitting saw on the horizontal mill. The two holes for the compression bolts were drilled, and the back side was tapped. I had to drill them on the bottom because there was not adequate stock on the top. The unfinished aluminum block on the rear of the tailstock is drilled and tapped 1/4-20, for the adjusting screw with the knurled knob. This provides for final adjustment of the center. It is fastened to only one side of the slotted casting. Very little torque is required on the two compression screws to secure the center rod. After filing the casting smooth, the small voids were filled with bondo prior to painting.
The rotary table is secured to an angle plate I fabricated from 1/2" aluminum. It is secured by 3 Socket Head Cap Screws in the back, and can be removed and secured to another baseplate for horizontal use. The Sherline controller is shown on the desk. It has a number of very useful functions, and is easy to program. On the right is a close-up of the tailstock and table, showing how it aligns. I have another, larger tailstock, and angle plate, so the rotary table can be used on the Millrite.
