What is this tailstock used for

[henryr]

Hi all,

This tailstock came with a Boley Leinen 8mm lathe and I have no clue what it is used for. I'm hoping someone can tell me.

Thanks,

henryr

[nickelsilver]

There were a number of Boley Leinen lathes made for specific purposes (contact lens making being one) but I can't figure out what yours was used for.  I have a feeling if you take it all apart you'll see it takes 8mm collets and is quite useful but hard to tell from the pics.

[henryr]

Thanks for the reply. I've disassembled it and the small shaft with the  very small center hole, in the first pic, is removable and it slides into a larger movable shaft. With the small shaft removed an 8mm thread is exposed in the larger shaft but it won't take a collet because the unthreaed opening is smaller than a collets outer diameter.

[oldhippy]

Looks like a incomplete drilling tailstock. Here is a complete one.