Hi... I'm well aware that George has a sticky with lots of tips and am also aware he and others are in a league light years ahead of me. I didn't feel right about adding tips to that sticky thread so, here's another thread. Feel free to toss more info in here about lathes.
First picture... It's helpful to always mark a piece once you get it centered in the chuck. Keep a marker or some dye at hand and mark with respect to some landmark on the chuck. I use the insignia that's stamped on the face. Why? It's very easy to remove a piece and then remember you forgot to do an operation. In this case, I forgot to break the edge so putting it back was easy. Now see the second picture. I always loosen the same two jaws when taking a piece out; the ones on either side of the insignia. If you need to re-chuck a piece, you'll be much closer to center by just tightening those two jaws and you won't have to chase it too much.
BTW: When it comes to marking dye (layout fluid), I prefer red almost always. Really shows up best on most metal surfaces.
Ray
First picture... It's helpful to always mark a piece once you get it centered in the chuck. Keep a marker or some dye at hand and mark with respect to some landmark on the chuck. I use the insignia that's stamped on the face. Why? It's very easy to remove a piece and then remember you forgot to do an operation. In this case, I forgot to break the edge so putting it back was easy. Now see the second picture. I always loosen the same two jaws when taking a piece out; the ones on either side of the insignia. If you need to re-chuck a piece, you'll be much closer to center by just tightening those two jaws and you won't have to chase it too much.
BTW: When it comes to marking dye (layout fluid), I prefer red almost always. Really shows up best on most metal surfaces.
Ray
