I am playing with ideas to make a system to move the tailstock of my TL-3 back and forth on the ways.

Currently to move it away from the chuck, I use the carriage to push it along.

To bring it towards the chuck, I lean into the end of the machine and push against the tailstock. I risk falling on my face every time I do this, so I want a better system.

Idea 1 is a simple tow hook that would drop down from the tailstock, engage the carriage, and allow the carriage to tow the tailstock as well as pushing it.

Idea 2 is an extension to the rack at the front of the ways, so that it reaches all the way to the rear of the lathe. Then I could have a handwheel or crank mounted to the tailstock and engaging the rack, like the system used on LeBlond manual lathes.

Before I go crazy with the designing, I'm wondering if anyone else has found other ways to address this problem.

Sincerely,
Frederic