Thread: Machinists Level

Hi Ron. I hope you find someone local to help you out. I think you may underestimate the amount of use a machinists level may get. Its been my personal experience that I use my level a number of times a year. In the standard shed with a "usual" slab you will find you may need to relevel your lathe annually due to movement in the ground not to mention if you find you need to move it around.... ive moved my lathe 4 times before I was happy with its location.

Anyway. Keep an eye out for SH on ebay US or cheaper Chinese ones are pretty reasonable. Having your own handy is exactly that... very handy.

Cheers.

Simon

PS. If you get stuck I can post you a lend of my Starrett No. 98. Its not super sensitive but will get you in the ball park where further adjustment can be made after test cuts....

Simon

Hi Simon
Thanks for the offer. I will wait a while and see if someone local replies.

Yes I realise that there may be other times when a level would be useful. Unfortunately there are many other items I require for my Lathe and Mill that must take precedence. If I can get it close to level at the Headstock and Tailstock I can finally adjust by cutting a test bar. I really don't know haw close I have to be to make this method feasible.
Ron

Machinists levels aren't that expensive, Hafco have a 6" for around the $160, if that's too expensive you can get the same level for $68 here:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ULTRA-SEN...item235087c138

Or the same again for $35 here:

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/200mm...118443097.html

I have a 200mm level you can borrow at Laidley if you don't get a closer offer.

Originally Posted by sacc51

Machinists levels aren't that expensive, Hafco have a 6" for around the $160, if that's too expensive you can get the same level for $68 here:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ULTRA-SEN...item235087c138

Or the same again for $35 here:

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/200mm...118443097.html

Been looking at levels, any one bought any thing from AliExpress?

Is China post expensive or are the ripping is off?

maybe a bit of both?

Bought lots of things from Ali. Chinese postage doesn;t work like we think: it is quite expensive (not quite like the US though), but it is subsidized by the State for industries they want to make an international impact with. That's why you con sometimes buy thing for a lower cost delivered that the item would be bought retail in China. It's all political.
If you look for 'free shipping' then you can almost guarantee that it is subsidized.....
I have not had any issues with Ali and purchases are protected. Ali is bigger than eBay!

sacc51

Thanks for the links. I had already looked at the CTC offering but thought that a 150mm length was shorter that the width of my bed. Also the Aliexpress example seems to have postage cost more than the price of the item.

After actually measuring the distance between 123 blocks placed on the flat sections of the ways I think I actually require a150mm level and will purchase one from the Ali seller.

Bob ward

Thanks very much for the offer. Very kind.
Unfortunately the cost for me to pick up and return is more than a new level from Ali express. I will purchase one and have it available for next time.
Cheers
Ron

Starrett 98-6 Machinists Level 6in Free post. $211.54
CTC tools Tools 6" $68.00 plus $29.75 post = $97.75
Aliexpress 6" Level $45.16 plus $39.83 post = $84.99
Aliexpress 8" Level $43.55 plus $45.65 post =$82.20

You can borrow me and my Starret 199 sometime next week. Or my Wyler, whichever floats your boat.

I am off from Sat to Tuesday evening

Greg

On aliexpress you generally find one seller will advertise an item at what seems like a bargain price but the postage will be exorbitant, another will offer the same item for more dosh but with free postage. If you check you generally find the cost to you is roughly the same no matter which seller you buy from.

The 6" is $68 including postage, I have one and use it regularly, one day I might actually bolt my lathe down then the level can have a rest for a while.

My new Machinists Level and a new Precision Ground Test Bar have now arrived so I can finally get on with setting up my lathe.

IMG_2693.jpg

Thanks to all who offered advice and help
Ron

Was the lathe alignment bar off aliexpress also?