Tom,

[Assuming that you don't have the 'taper turning attachment'] … You will need to turn between centres, with the tailstock offset. … See this very helpful page.

I suppose you could do it in two or three bites using the topslide … but I wouldn't recommend it.

MichaelG.

With a long thin rod like that you should get away with making it overlength, holding it in the 3-jaw and setting the tailstock towards you by 1/32".

The flex in the rod will cope easily with this offest, but you may find that you get a slightly curved taper – it may not be noticeable.

Neil

For a fish bellied rod like that the two tapered ends will only be 2" long, I would just set the topslide at a slight angle. Basically diveid ethe length into three, leave the middle at 5/16 and taper the two ends from 5/16 down to 1/4" and then blend the transition with a file.

All these were done that way.

Take a look at the first few photos in this album of mine, to see the principal

Better still part way down this page is the post I used the images for with an explanation

J

PS don't try Neils suggestion as that won't work for the tapers you require the tailstock woul need to be set over atleast 3/32" not 1/32"

Edited By JasonB on 09/08/2015 16:07:54

Neil';s calculation was correct – he just didn't spot it was 1/4" at BOTH ends

Neil

Michael, no reason not to work between ctrs and use the topslide.

You may find, Tom, my method for producing a barrel shaped con rod worth viewing, here It requires more calculation, but less finishing, to arrive at a true barrel shape.

Harold