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Thread: precision level?
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1st August 2011, 05:30 PM #1GOLD MEMBER
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precision level?
just how level do you need to get the lathe when your setting up .The book I've read says 0.003inch unfortunately my levels arnt that accurate I've looked at the precision levels in H&F and $200 is a bit steep for what will be a one off use. Does anyone out there within a reasonable driving distance of Clayton Vic have one I could beg borrow or steal for a few hours use. Or does anyone know of a cheaper place to buy one from?
Please, pretty please with a cherry on top.Some people are like slinkies - not really good for anything, but they
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1st August 2011, 07:01 PM #2SENIOR MEMBER
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HI,
Discount Machine Shop (Shars) has them on Ebay 8" MASTER PRECISION LEVEL FOR MACHINIST TOOL NEW .0005 | eBay . Also Minitech in Australia has them a bit cheaper
http://wic043u.server-secure.com/vs4...nd.asp?q=level.All The Best steran50 Stewart
The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once.
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1st August 2011, 08:15 PM #3Distracted Member
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If you search for 'level' on any machining forum you will find the topic debated endlessly. I bought a Starrett 'mechanic's level' on US ebay for about $50. Its graduations represent .005"/ft, but you can read between the lines. I'm no expert but my feeling is that is adequate for general hobby machine levelling. Others may disagree. Where you would definitely need a more sensitive instrument is for reconditioning work, where you're trying to create correct alignments between different machine parts. You can get those (.02mm/m) at CTC for $50. MACHINIST PRECISION LEVEL #G70. I think some guys here have these so maybe they can comment.
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1st August 2011, 10:11 PM #4GOLD MEMBER
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Hi fubar,
I think you will find uses for it once you have one. I paid $185 for mine from H&F mar 09 before I really got going on ebay hehe. If you buy from someone that uses flat rate boxes you might "have" to buy some other goodies to fill the box
If you still feel you dont want to buy one I could come up one day and help you set it up.
While we are talking about it, have you thought about how you are going to level the lathe?
Stuart
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1st August 2011, 10:34 PM #5Dave J Guest
The 200mm one from CTC works out to be $74 posted to you.
MACHINIST PRECISION LEVEL #G70
Or the 150mm one is $66 posted.
I have one and think they are worth the money.
Dave
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1st August 2011, 10:37 PM #6GOLD MEMBER
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Posted!! at that price I might just pick up another. I can be very lazy sometimes lol
StuartLast edited by Stustoys; 1st August 2011 at 10:38 PM. Reason: p.s. stupid question, but just to be sure, they are adjustable arent they?
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1st August 2011, 10:52 PM #7GOLD MEMBER
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I need to setup my hercus. I roughly levelled the bed with my carpenters level, but it's a fairly blunt instrument. To save on the cost of an engineers level I will probably only use once, I am planning to level the bed using the method described in Chapter 1 of the Hercus Textbook of Turning. Basically you turn down a 5'' length of 1'' bar and measure each end. Depending on which end is larger you either raise or lower the front adjuster at the tailstock end. Take another cut, measure and adjust again. Keep doing this until both ends of the bar are the same diameter.
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1st August 2011, 11:17 PM #8Retro Phrenologist
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I guess I just don't understand.
Why does it matter that the lathe is level?
Surely a flat bed and aligned centres are crucial , but why level?
Teach me!
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1st August 2011, 11:23 PM #9Dave J Guest
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1st August 2011, 11:25 PM #10Dave J Guest
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1st August 2011, 11:27 PM #11GOLD MEMBER
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Hi Avery,
You're mostly right. It doesnt have to be level, just on the same plain(spelling?).
Its just that the easiest way to be sure its on the same plain is to set it up level.
Being level can also help setup sometimes.
Stuart
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1st August 2011, 11:27 PM #12future machinist
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might need to get one to set up my new lathe but i think it will need a new stand first
BETTER TO HAVE TOOLS YOU DON'T NEED THAN TO NEED TOOLS YOU DON'T HAVE
Andre
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1st August 2011, 11:41 PM #13Distracted Member
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1st August 2011, 11:49 PM #14
It just so happens that "level" is a quality that is very easily verified with a bubble level. There is no other affordable instrument that so directly and easily can tell you how each part of the machine is aligned to an external master reference(in this case: the earth). The real goal is "untwisted", and the precision level is the tool used to verify that condition. While a level is used, the ultimate goal isn't to level the lathe, that's just a byproduct of the process.
GregIt's all part of the service here at The House of Pain™
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1st August 2011, 11:58 PM #15GOLD MEMBER
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thanks for the info peoples have just bought one from CTC Tools online landed in australia for $75.00 less than 1/2 price of same tool at H&F thanks for that site Dave and Bryan
thanks for the kind offer stuart .
Avery according to my book from south bend lathe works the lathe needs to level so that the set evenly and not produce a twist in the lathe bed due to the weight of the lathe being uneven causing headstock misalignment with the V-ways therefore accurate work will not be acheivable of course we are talking in the 1 or 2 1000ths of an inch here so if your v's are worn, sloppy tailstock etc it dont matter too much
Have recently bought a lathe from a deceased estate will post some photos of the work involved setting it up soonSome people are like slinkies - not really good for anything, but they
bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs .
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