I have a Grizzly 10x22 lathe .The tailstock is locked by turning a nut,the usual way. I got tired of reaching for the wrench so I made another type of nut that also locks with a 1/4/20 threaded lever.I bored and tapped the metric thread into a 1" diameter x 1-1/8" long piece of 1018 steel.I tapped about 5/8" deep.This is the locking bolt thread. Then milled a hex shape on the top 1/4" for a wrench ,if necessary.A #7 drill and 1/4/20 tap for the lever was added after I made another modification.

I noticed that the locking clamp and bolt would bind every so often. This resulted in loosening the nut a bit more for more play.I wanted the lever lock to lock and unlock in a quarter turn.I removed the tailstock and saw the problem.The casting for the clamp was pretty rough. The head of the bolt rides between a cast groove that varies in width from 11/16" to over 3/4".The sides of the groove were rough cast and painted too.This resulted in the bolt cocking to one side or the other and the locking clamp binding.I milled the clamp straight on each side then milled a piece of steel 3/16" thick and about 3" long to fit in the slot with a sliding fit.I bored a hole for the bolt, a tight fit for the unthreaded portion.

This keeps the bolt square to the clamp and tailstock.I installed the tailstock,checked to make sure I could lock and unlock the tailstock in about a quarter turn.Then marked the new nut for the lever.I drilled and tapped for the lever on the mill and made a lever about 2-3/4" long. 

This works fine and was pretty simple to make.I wish i had made it a couple of years ago when i got the lathe.

mike

Tyler said:

I really need to do this. I have the same issue with my g0602 (tailstock binding intermittently along the ways causing you to give it another half turn to loosen).

Can you take a picture or two of your mod?

I'll try posting a picture soon. 

mike