KEVOS® MAKEOS · Manufacturing
Taper Turning Set-Up (Taper per Foot, Half Angle, Tailstock Offset, Compound Setting)
For a taper of given end diameters and length, what taper per foot and angle is it, how far must I offset the tailstock, and should I use the compound slide instead?
Set-up of a lathe to turn a taper: the taper per unit length and per foot on diameter, the half angle and included angle from the tangent (as the trigonometric functions tool), the tailstock offset for turning between centres over the whole length of the work, and the compound slide setting, against the largest tailstock offset the lathe and centres allow.
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How this tool works
Inputs, units and where to find them
| Input | Unit | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Large diameter of the taper | mm | Diameter at the large end of the taper. |
| Small diameter of the taper | mm | Diameter at the small end. |
| Length of the taper | mm | Length of the tapered part along the axis. |
| Length of the work between centres | mm | Overall length of the work between the centre points (the offset method tapers the whole length). |
| Largest tailstock offset | mm | Largest set-over the tailstock and centre holes allow without damage. |
Method and formulas
- Taper = (D − d) ÷ l on diameter; per foot = 12 × that.
- Half angle α = atan ((D − d) ÷ 2l) (as the trigonometric functions tool); included angle 2α; the compound slide is set to α.
- Tailstock offset = (D − d) ÷ 2 × L_w ÷ l.
- Example: 1 per foot, half angle 2.3859°; offset the tailstock 6.25 mm.
Limitations
- Offset method assumes the centres sit in the centre holes at the set-over; large offsets wear the centre holes.
- Taper attachments and CNC turning avoid both limits.
- Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.
Typical uses
- Set over the tailstock for a long gentle taper
- Set the compound for a short steep taper
- Convert a drawing taper to an angle
Who it is for
- Machinists
- Apprentices
- Toolmakers
What you get
- Taper per unit length and per foot
- Half and included angle
- Tailstock offset and compound setting
Interpreting the result
- The tailstock offset suits long gentle tapers; the compound suits short steep ones because its travel is short.
References
- Machinery’s Handbook, 29th edition (Industrial Press, 2012), printed pp. 95–114, 682–691. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.
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