Tailstocks and Bench Centers

Tailstocks are used on lathes and other machine tools to support one end of the workpiece through contact with a live or dead center. Benchcenters are table top mounted units used to support a workpiece between two tailstocks during inspection. A tail stock is a cast iron assembly that can slide along and be locked in place, and is used to hold long work in place or to mount a drill chuck for drilling into the end of the work. There are two types of tailstocks: manual and pneumatic. Manual tailstocks require workmen to apply pressure. Pneumatic tailstocks are driven by machines. If tail stocks are used, a dead center (which is non-rotating) may be used to support the workpiece, alternatively, a live center may also be used. Lathes with cylindrical tailstocks that can rotate around a vertical axis are turret lathes. All lathes have a bench centers, which is a horizontal beam.