Thread: Centre Height Gauge

Dean,

I knocked up a similar device a while back. https://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/simple-lathe-tool-centre-height-gauge-129620/
It's a useful bit of gear made more useful because my lathe has an extended cross slide. Conversely, it's next to useless on my Hercus with the standard cross slide. On that lathe I still fool around trying to align my cutters with the tailstock centre. Your little gauge would sit nicely on the ways and the inclusion of a magnet would ensure it stayed there. A neat idea and one I should copy.

Thank you.

BT

Bob
Thanks for the info on your Lathe Height Gauge & the photos of the Hardinge design.
If you do not have a patent on yours & you dont mind, I will copy yours.
There have been many times when I have had a need for a Centre Hight Gauge on my Lathe.
regards
Bruce

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

Dean,

I knocked up a similar device a while back. https://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/simple-lathe-tool-centre-height-gauge-129620/
It's a useful bit of gear made more useful because my lathe has an extended cross slide. Conversely, it's next to useless on my Hercus with the standard cross slide. On that lathe I still fool around trying to align my cutters with the tailstock centre. Your little gauge would sit nicely on the ways and the inclusion of a magnet would ensure it stayed there. A neat idea and one I should copy.

Thank you.

BT

I think it was that thread that made me decide to make one. I also have been using the tailstock centre. With my cross slide the ways were the only logical surface to use. There is a flat surface on the carriage but I felt it would be more awkward to line up to it. On the ways I can move the carriage and rotate the post to line up. Easy. I should try it out. I haven't used the lathe since. I engrave each tool with its mounting height so I can work out the spacers needed. Usually this is enough as all my spacers have the thickness marked as well. The diamond holder needs a gauge tho.

Dean

I've got the old style tool holders which hold 1/4'' HSS blanks at an angle of about 15 degrees to the horizontal. That means every time you move/replace/grind the HSS tool you change it's height. I reckon I could use some sort of height gauge.