Tapers (2025 Update)

  I finally figured out that the reason the drill chuck that came with my bench top milling machine was so wobbly is the mandrel . The JT taper is all weird , too loose in the bottom of the hole . And since I like a challenge (sometimes) I decided to fix it . BUT FIRST before I go screwing up a serviceable though s***ty part , I figured I needed to make sure I can recut that taper . So out of the corner comes the home made taper attachment - which I used exactly once before today . After an entire afternoon of adjusting and cutting and adjusting ... I finally got it dialed in and made a successful taper on some scrap stock . I did try making very light cuts on the mandrel , but ran out of length before I got it quite right . Now I have 2 ways I can go , I can build up the taper with the TIG welder , or I can machine a bit off the bottom of the R8 section of the mandrel to get a little more length . I'm concerned about warpage if I weld it , but can chuck it in the 4 jaw and dial it in to relocate the center hole in the taper if it doesn't run true . If I machine some off , I have about a quarter inch at the bottom of the R8 taper that's cylindrical before the taper starts . I'm not sure that's going to give me enough length to get the taper right and I'll end up welding anyway - but without that cylindrical section to dial it in on the lathe . Or maybe I'll just order a new one on ebay and save this one for another project ... last time I looked I couldn't find any , this time there are several choices .