Lathe Leveling and Alignment || INHERITANCE MACHINING

Join me in the machine shop for a little engine lathe leveling and alignment 101, and quite possibly, just maybe, a few side projects. This is a long overdue project that evaded the lathe restoration, and for good reason. I had to make sure this is where I wanted this machine. The lathe leveling procedure is a fairly lengthy process and involves a precision level and an abundance of patience. Once the lathe is level with all twist and bow removed from the bed ways, we’ll move on to the headstock alignment. To do this, we’ll need some larger than average material, a dial indicator, and again, an abundance of patience. Once the headstock is parallel to the bed ways we can move on to the lathe tailstock alignment procedure. This is similar to the headstock alignment except we will be mounting the material between a dead center and live center, and driving the material with a lathe dog; in a process called turning between centers. And while we’re at it we’ll make a tailstock alignment bar. With the lathe alignment finally complete I can use it to make the custom precision mandrel for mounting the previously made collet blocks in the surface grinder. And try not to make them worse than they already are “cough-cough”.

#inheritancemachining #machineshop #artofthesideproject

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro
1:16 Preparations
2:47 Leveling
5:55 Headstock Alignment
7:54 Tailstock Alignment
11:19 Making a Mandrel and Grinder Setup
13:00 Grinding and Inspecting

FAQ
Editing: Final Cut Pro X
Intro Song: Way Back Way Back When (Instrumental Version) - Gamma Skies

© 2022 Inheritance Machining, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

[InheritanceMachining]

Thanks for watching! With the lathe finally (and properly) set up I'm excited to dive into the next machining project. Join me on April 15th at 10am Eastern.

[GatorGlider]

I appreciate you sharing your mistakes/shortcomings. A lot of channels just jump directly to a finished, to perfect dimension, part. I like following along in your thought process and then reflecting on what may have been the issue. Coming back and addressing the issue is where real learning happens. Your vids are well put together as well! Can't wait for the next one!

[nunyabusiness]

You have the courage and integrity to show us how much you have learnt from failing. Amazing video, and mark of an exceptional human being 👏🏾

[virtualburton]

I’ve been binge watching a lot of your videos recently, as I just found the channel a few weeks ago. Great work and really nice videos – very much appreciated. You know, I’m sure this is exactly what your grandfather hoped you would do with all of these tools. Well done.

[xaviervelez]

I'll be honest. Your intro music is a big part of why I keep coming back.

[Standbackforscience]

Honestly, the mistakes and attempts at fixing them are just as satisfying to watch, and way more educational. Thanks for taking us behind the scenes.

[raikbusse]

Very nice compact video format. No excessive talking, no advertising for questionable products and focus on the essentials.
I love such videos.
Greetins from Germany, Raik

[dermozart]

What an awesome video! Really nice editing, nice lighting, very nice narration and a extremely nice topic.
Please don’t stop doing side project!!!

[johnspathonis]

Very instructive video. Did you check the run-out on the headstock dead centre? Personally I think you get a more accurate result by placing a piece of round steel in the 3 jaw and turning a 60 degree dead centre. This way it eliminates any manufacturing errors.

[jamesvcampbell]

The amount of knowledge that is required to me a machinist is amazing

[simoncee]

Wow, 33 years as a toolmaker and I learned something today.

[ManSkirtBrew]

Every time I go into my workshop to do some woodturning and spend half the time making new mounts for my dust collection hose or sanding pad storage, I now have a side project counter in my head. Thanks for that!

[joemulkerins]

I think you will get to the stage of completing a project without a having to do a side project. That would be perfectionism that many men dream of but never reach.

[lborate]

Dial indicator on a magnet base is so useful! Thanks starrett!

[spdcrzy]

You know what, dude? You would make a KILLING as an engine restorer and builder as well as a precision motor builder. Your love for absolute dimensional accuracy is infectious lol.

[cogentdynamics]

Perhaps the best lathe leveling videos I have seen. Clear concise and nicely done video. Thank you!

[josephalexander]

Good morning. Don’t worry about the length of your videos. This isn’t Tik Tok. I really enjoy your videos. I learn even though I may have seen multiple people perform the same process.
Thank you.

[jmtx.]

Awesome job! Amazing how everything cleaned up so well.

[dougabrahamsen]

I admire your sharing your knowledge and the great family connection to machining. F. Y. I. With the removable section of ways it identifies the lathe as a bridge lathe. Your grandfather was very wise to select this lathe as this feature greatly expands it's capabilities.

[mriheartless]

The unforseen sideprojects hits so hard to home. Im building my own machineshop now, and have a love for old machines, so the list of shop equipment that needs to be fixed before i can start to fix things with the equipment is neverending. But lets not kid ourselves, we love it.

Im the only one in my family with these interests, so im building a shop from scratch, and it makes me smile that one day maybe my kid wil inherit mine as you have done.
Keep it up!