Lathe leveling - will this work?

[Jaqkar]

Hi Guys

Will this be a suitable instrument to level my 10" x 24" lathe?

 

[catsparadise]

I don't think it has enough resolution. 0.05 deg sounds really good, until you look at the specs for a machinists level. I checked one out on arceurotrade.co.uk and it has a sensitivity per division of 0.0011 degrees, so you're out by a factor of 50 at least.

I've managed without one for 3 years with my M300 lathe (about 13 x 40). The wear on the ways near the headstock gives more taper than bed twist does. So don't let it stop you enjoying using your lathe!

Rob

 

[Boswell]

I think it depends on the accuracy that you expect to work to. Making parts to a tolerance of +-.0005 is different from +-.002.

 

[Winegrower]

Not even close.

 

[Winegrower]

But, on reflection, my 10x36 (or so) Logan was attached to a metal bench that I only roughly leveled. I think the lathe was rigid enough and light enough that there was no distorting moment. It worked fine. Leveling in this case was largely unimportant, except for drill bits rolling off the bench.

 

[Jaqkar]

Ok thanks guys, looks like I will be waiting for a sale or auction on ebay or something. Really would like to get the right tool for the job or else it will be haunting me forever!

 

[MrWhoopee]

I just crudely leveled my SB Heavy 10L which is about the size of your lathe. Fortunately it is on the factory under-drive stand, which is apparently very rigid. It cuts a taper of .0003" over 14 inches. I doubt that I could improve on that, so I haven't tried.

 

[Jaqkar]

My floor is unfortunately very uneven and I’ve noticed that the machine was not properly tight around the frame etc. I have now sorted that and replaced some bolts even. I have also noticed a taper across a fairly short distance so I just want to rule out leveling and go from there.

 

[RobertB]

I don't think it has enough resolution. 0.05 deg sounds really good, until you look at the specs for a machinists level.

On these digital levels "resolution" is just how many decimal places out the display shows.
The accuracy of this one is ±0.1° which is about 0.017" over 10" or good enough for hanging pictures.

 

[benmychree]

Bench lathes generally have a 3 point mounting and do not need accurate leveling, small lathes with metal legs or stands under them can be aligned by the two collar method; here, accurate leveling is not necessary, only proper alignment to eliminate taper in the workpiece.