How to Tell If My Wood Lathe Has a Morse Number One or Morse Number Two Tail Stock

Measure a lathe to identify its tail stock.

Lathe tail stocks that have a Morse taper on the inside will hold a variety of different accessories, as long as the accessories have a shank with a matching taper. Morse tapers come in standard sizes designated by numbers starting with zero, though most lathes use either a 1 or 2 Morse taper. Because each taper has different dimensions, you can tell whether you have a Morse 1 or 2 from the size of the tail stock opening. If necessary, purchase an adaptor to make an accessory with a smaller number fit in a tail stock with a larger number.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler

Instructions

1. Remove the accessory from the tail stock, if necessary, so you can see the opening where you insert the accessory's shank.

2. Hold a ruler marked in millimeters across the end of the tail stock's opening.

3. Align the start of the ruler with one side of the opening and note the distance to the other side of the opening. If it's about 12 mm, the opening is a Morse taper number 1. If it's about 18 mm, the opening is a Morse taper number 2.

References

• "The Frugal Woodturner"; Ernie Conover; 2010
• Tools and Mods: Morse Tapers

Resources

• Machine Shop 2: Lathe Accessories