TJR Manual Tailstocks

The TJ/TTJ is the most popular series of manual tailstocks that TJR offers. The TJ series is a fixed taper manual tailstock and the TTJ series offer a replaceable taper. Both series use a Morse tapered center to enable the support of a long work piece on a rotary table during the machining process. The center is easily moved forward and backward by rotating the handle on the rear of the unit.

  • Support longer workpieces
  • Support more weight
  • Become a more flexible shop

Specifications

Item / Model
Center Height
mm / inch
Overall Height
mm / inch
Guide
Block
Overall Length
mm / inch
Center
Taper

TJ/TTJ-125

Request a Quote

110 / 4.3″

156 / 6.14″

14 / .55″

423/435.5 / 16.65″/17.14″

MT#2

TJ/TTJ-170

Request a Quote

135 / 5.31″

181 / 7.12″

18 / .70″

423/435.5 / 16.65″/17.14″

MT#2

TJ/TTJ-210

Request a Quote

160 / 6.29″

206 / 8.11″

18 / .70″

423/435.5 / 16.65″/17.14″

MT#4

TJ/TTJ-255

Request a Quote

160 / 6.29″

206 / 8.11″

18 / .70″

423/435.5 / 16.65″/17.14″

MT#4

TJ/TTJ-320

Request a Quote

210 / 8.26″

256 / 10.07″

18 / .70″

423/435.5 / 16.65″/17.14″

MT#4

TJ/TTJ-400

Request a Quote

255 / 10.03″

310 / 12.20″

18 / .70″

487/503.5 / 19.17″/19.82″

MT#4

Frequently Asked Questions About Tailstocks

Tailstocks are a type of machine tool accessory that are used to support long parts on a lathe or rotary table.

This depends on the length of the workpiece. If you’re working with short-length pieces, a tailstock may not be necessary. However, for long, slender pieces — such a rifle barrels — it is important to have a tailstock to ensure accurate machining, avoiding distortion or chatter.

Read more

If the tailstock comes from the factory, the center is aligned with the center of the spindle. However, if the tailstock was added to a rotary table, the center height of the tailstock matches the center height of the rotary table. To check tailstock alignment, use an indicator sweep of the tailstock quill. Mount indicators to either the lathe spindle or the rotary table faceplate. You can adjust tailstocks from side to side, but to adjust center height, shims will need to be added if it is low or material removed if it is high.

There are several different types of tailstocks, including manual, hydraulic, pneumatic tailstocks, as well as tailstocks with built in live centers. For rotary tables, you can also get a heavy duty tailstock that resembles another rotary table to support heavy parts.

There are are two types of centers commonly used in tailstocks: live centers and dead centers. Live centers are built with bearings and are often used on CNC machines, which require higher RPMs. Dead centers do not turn and are most often used with manual machines or rotary table tailstocks.