Tailstock Alignment on Micromark 7x14 mini lathe - Part Two

[LG6327]

hello, is there a index live center tool with even and odd number settings which can be installed in a 3 chuck or tail stock on metal lathe with the head stock in a locked position that i can manually rotate a dowel so i can make even and odd number of grooves?

[gbowne1]

I always tell people to use the shortest extension of the tailstock spindle as possible because usually it extends out straighter at the beginning.. as the spindle extends from the trailstock head, it should not travel runout more than about .001".

Agree with EvilWeevilAnime and get a test bar. mrpete222 (tubalcain) has good videos on alignment.

[EvilWeevilAnime]

You should really buy a 1" x 12" piece of precision ground round bar and center drill it and use that as your test bar to really get an idea what your tailstock is doing in relationship to the head. Measuring the outside of the tailstock quill isn't going to be as accurate as a test bar.

[tiredfingers22]

Try rotating the tailstock to various parts of the center and then move along the length of the center to see if its maybe the surface of the center that is varying. Also try rotating the tail stock with the dial indicator in place to see if there variation.

[gorgeousmale]

i dont know the difference between the run out and total run out, can u clear me plz

[saunixcomp]

total run out is the total measurement that the part is off center by. For example, if it was 0.003" high at the top and 0.006" low at the bottom, the TIR would be 0.009"

[gorgeousmale]

Thank you pal

[saunixcomp]

No intention to turn it into a CNC lathe.

Putting it laterally on the quill, if I'm understanding you correctly, would have measured runout in a different direction

[togaida]

Will you be turning this lathe into a CNC lathe in the near future?

[togaida]

couldn't you have set the dial indicator laterally against the quill to avoid running into the engraved measurements of said quill?

[68Elko]

great job Thanks !