I'm super excited about this new addition. Lufkin No. 59 15" master precision level (.0005 per 12"). I already had a Starrett 98-12 for getting things reasonably close, and a really nice E.D.A. 8" level (.0005" per 10"), but the ways on my new 16" Victor are too wide for the EDA. I didn't have a parallel long enough to span the gap to use the EDA, so I went with the 98-12 to get it close. After a couple of hours getting the lathe close (spread out over a couple of nights) I did a quick eBay search and saw this Lufkin. They had the make offer option, and this level was totally unlike anything else they had listed, so I made a lowball offer and they accepted.
It got here yesterday and I quickly checked it on the surface plate, as well as alongside the EDA and it seems to be spot on. It's interesting that in all the research I did on the No. 59 there isn't much info. Some have bases that are flat and scraped and some have a V depression. Mine has the flat, scraped base. Overall I think it's in pretty good condition...a few marks on the finish, but nothing major, so I'm happy.
Last night I set up the two levels on the lathe and got it nicely leveled much faster than I had previously....a lot easier when you don't have to move anything and the two levels are of similar sensitivity. I'll recheck in a few days. I did my surface grinder as well while I was on a roll!
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View attachment 498324 as some of you with good memories might appreciate, I’m learning how to haul lots of heavy stuff without trashing my (wife’s) car
