Thread: Lathe alignment question

Originally Posted by janvanruth

Wouldnt that be like putting two collars on a piece of stock?

Yes and if you had it, I'd loctite 2 bits of aluminium onto a steel bar and proceed. PDW

Two sections 150mm apart to machine and compare. The relieved area between these two sections is only to minimise tool wear and so get as close to the same result as possible so that any variation can be attributed to lathe adjustment/accuracy.

Dean

After doing the above in steel several times i would highly recommend using ally or even an engineering plastic. Trying to get good consistent cuts in steel is very hard especially that far from the chuck. All but (and sometimes even) the sharpest HSS tool will push the stock away.
Any searching for RDM or alignment will lead you to one repeated fact, and here it is again, do not touch your headstock alignment! 99% of the time it ends up that there was another error at play and then you have to chase you tail for ages to get the head back into alignment and probably only get it 80% as good as it was. Remember that head was aligned whilst the bed was brand new and there was no wear to contend with.

Ew

Originally Posted by Ueee

................. even an engineering plastic. ............................

Ew

Ew,

Wow. Thanks. Never even thought of that.

Bill