This tailstock was very worn and measured half a millimetre low (it's likely that the majority of the wear was at the front). Probably two days work - including making the plates - condensed into less than two minutes! I've done two of these (one for my own use and another for a very good friend) but have no intention of doing any more!

Video pretty self explanatory, but here's the sequence of events:

1. Make tailstock support fixture
2. Check that the planed base of the tailstock - the lowest part that is not subject to wear - is parallel to the barrel. They usually are, but if it's not then shim appropriately.
3. Grind fixture and "barrel clamp-flat" to same height
4. Machine channels for "height-stips" and in same setting machine "cheeks" for gib strips
5. Fit height-strips (cyanoacrylate glue) and surface grind to centre height
6. Drill for location dowels and adjustment screws
7. Grind gibs with approx 0.5mm rear clearance to accomodate epoxy resin adhesive
8. Set axial alignment
9. Glue gibs - check alignment
10. Trim excess material.

No doubt there are other ways of achieving the same thing. If you have the patience and the skill the grinding could be replaced with hand scraping.

Machines used: ancient Jones and Shipman 540 and Aciera F4.

www.anglo-swiss-tools.co.uk