How to make a lathe draw bar

Phil Dart
August 2020

Morse taper attachments mounted in a lathe headstock are prone to work themselves loose whilst under power if unsupported by the tailstock.  A draw bar is a method of keeping the attachment seated by clamping it in place. The draw bar screws into a female thread that’s often present on the small end of the tapered arbor of the attachment, and presses on the revolving hand wheel or bearing that’s at the opposite end of the headstock spindle to the lathe bed. Since every lathe is different, a draw bar isn’t something you can generally buy, but they are simplicity itself to make.

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