- Joined
- Oct 11, 2016
- Messages
- 3,866
I need to correct a mistake here.
You only need a 12" straight edge to measure a hobby lathe. they can be had for under 30 bucks. I don't know where Craig is coming from but it is simply not true. On a lathe you will find that the only discernible wear will be within 10-18" of the headstock. Even on 100 year old lathes, the way seem to not be worn right against the heaststock and can serve as part of the reference surface. I chose 12" to be safe, but I personally use a 10" reference surface with very good effect.
This is something you will eventually need for good quality control on your machining, if you care to do close tolerance work, eventually. For a long time I used a 6" parallel and borrowed a straight edge for the 3 or so times a year I needed it. I then graduated to a 10" Moore and Wright engineers' level, used as a straight edge (It was ground to be within 2 tenths, but the reality was closer to 4 tenths).
I now have a 10" straight edge from Starret that I use in place of the level. If I had been smarter, I'd have bought a 12" which is why I'm recommending it to you. You can measure an entire lathe bed - even a 60" one in 12" increments and learn a lot. All you need is a straight edge and a bright flashlight.
You only need a 12" straight edge to measure a hobby lathe. they can be had for under 30 bucks. I don't know where Craig is coming from but it is simply not true. On a lathe you will find that the only discernible wear will be within 10-18" of the headstock. Even on 100 year old lathes, the way seem to not be worn right against the heaststock and can serve as part of the reference surface. I chose 12" to be safe, but I personally use a 10" reference surface with very good effect.
This is something you will eventually need for good quality control on your machining, if you care to do close tolerance work, eventually. For a long time I used a 6" parallel and borrowed a straight edge for the 3 or so times a year I needed it. I then graduated to a 10" Moore and Wright engineers' level, used as a straight edge (It was ground to be within 2 tenths, but the reality was closer to 4 tenths).
I now have a 10" straight edge from Starret that I use in place of the level. If I had been smarter, I'd have bought a 12" which is why I'm recommending it to you. You can measure an entire lathe bed - even a 60" one in 12" increments and learn a lot. All you need is a straight edge and a bright flashlight.