I'm new to woodworking and particularly turning. I recently purchased an old craftsman lathe with a good motor. It is missing the pointed piece that actually holds the tail end of the wood on the tailstock. I have checked the sears website and the part or parts that were originally used for that have been discontinued. I was thinking about having one made at a local machine shop. I think I need just a circular point welded to a nut that threads onto the tailstock assembly. Is there a certain angle I should use for the point? I'm thinking about 60 degrees would be OK. Better yet is there somewhere else I can get this item or something else I can use inplace of it?
Thanks woodslave