Level your lathe and align the headstock/tailstock vertical + horizontal alignment

Описание: To level a lathe, first use a precision level to make the headstock rail parallel to the floor, adjusting the machine's feet. Then, check the level from the headstock to the tailstock along the ways to ensure they are straight and parallel, and adjust the feet as needed to correct any twist. Finally, align the tailstock with the headstock using an alignment bar or dial indicator and a test bar to ensure it runs perfectly parallel.

Step 1: Level the lathe bed
Position the lathe and ensure it is stable, with its feet properly aligned on the floor.
Place a precision level on the headstock's ways (the tracks the carriage travels on).
Adjust the leveling feet to make the ways perfectly level and parallel with the floor.
Check the level both longitudinally (from headstock to tailstock) and laterally (across the ways), making adjustments as needed.

Step 2: Align the headstock and tailstock
Use a dial indicator or an alignment bar to check for any misalignment between the headstock and tailstock.

If you are using an alignment bar, place the dial indicator on the tailstock end of the bar, set it to zero, and spin the chuck.
Adjust the tailstock using its screws until the dial indicator shows a reading of zero at both ends of the bar.

Step 3: Test and fine-tune
To verify the alignment, make a skim cut on a test bar between the centers.
Measure the diameter at both ends of the bar to ensure it is consistent.

If the diameter is different at either end, adjust the tailstock and repeat the test.

Repeat the process until the bar is perfectly straight and the diameters are consistent.