How To Align Your Lathe

This episode on Blondihacks, I show you how to align your ways and your tailstock so your lathe won't cut tapers! Exclusive videos, drawings, models & plans available on Patreon!

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[joegarrett]

I saw what you did there @ 6:13. You need to get the level across the 'flat spots of the ways' but the prismatic sections are 'in the way'. :)

[JaneGraeSmithy]

I worked for several of the highest precision large machine tool companies and gained a reputation as machine leveling “expert”, and you still taught me something. In this case, it was finding that there will be an orientation on your surface (plate) where the level will read level.

Great video.

[TheFeller]

The toothpick scale model was a brilliant representation of both ability for machine movement and the effect in real time. Great job!

[mattw]

It's good that you show your mistakes. I think too many teachers are inclined to edit those out for reasons of pride, but so much more can be taught by sharing them.

Great stuff.

[FabtecS]

How refreshing, someone who really knows what they're doing and methodically walks you through the whole process - CORRECTLY! Thank you.

[Anony___mous]

I've been a machinist for 12 years and I've never seen a lathe leveled this way. It makes so much sense! and now you've given me something to do tomorrow lol. p.s. I'll keep an eye out for a good deal on a tenths indicator I can donate to the blondihacks cause!

[davesmith]

The best tutorial on levelling i have ever seen !

[jefflyon]

It had been years since I needed to do this. I found a couple other videos on this but gave up, they were long winded and left more questions than answers. You were clear, concise and I walked back into the shop knowing exactly what i needed to do. Great video, thank you!

[nathanielstephenson]

This is why I am SO thankful for taper correction on the CNCs. I had a tail center in a 350MY that was introducing .008 taper over about 16", fixed that in 10 seconds using the keypad on the controller. The tail stock has since been properly aligned, but I still use that technique to compensate for deflection. If I'm turning anything long enough to require a tail center I program with the assumption that I will have to take out taper somewhere in the part (kinda like bringing the duct tape with you instead of walking across the shop every time you need it 😀).

[TCB]

Best explanation and process to correct that I've seen yet!

[button-pushing-monkey]

As a machinist with over 20 years experience, though I've never had to perform a machine leveling, this is correct and very well explained. Excellent job sharing info and procedure to keep a dying trade alive!

[jeffanderson]

Very well done.
When you moved the tail stock, I said to myself, “Blondie, you are going the wrong way”. I didn’t expect you of all people to misjudge the correction.
You made a complicated process easy to follow.
Thank you.

[RobertSmith-stfr]

Great instruction( as all yours are) I spent 4 hours on my "new" 1939 southbend 9"c, and got a final of .0002 taper per foot- decidedly the best Ive ever done. Thank you, and keep up the good work.

[frankcire]

I love your content, it's great seeing machining from a hobbyist's viewpoint without a model maker's overlay. As an amateur machinist, I machine things for my other hobbies and machining is just an adjunct to those hobbies. I don't make models, I make modifications and repairs to other items. I also like how you aren't a machine snob. A new Chinese manufactured machine is often a better bet than an old American machine that has a lot of wear issues, especially if you are going be making small parts.

[mhe]

We, the lathe noobs, salute you. Finally a video about leveling in practice that I understand, thank you so much for this!

[flababofa]

This is like watching a wizard explain magic but then by then end you're very surprised to realize you actually kinda get it.

You're one hell of a teacher.

[robjohnson]

I’m just an amateur (recovering woodworker), but this has got to be one of the most informative videos
I’ve ever seen. Simple, understandable, and doable by most dummies (and by “dummies” I mean “me”). Now I need to figure out how to mount my mini-lathe on something OTHER than a table made from 2x4s and plywood. (Old habits die hard).

[danielstewart]

Quinn: You're going to need an assortment of precision shim stock.
Me: *Goes through recycling bin and assumes Pepsi Max is thicker than Pepsi.*

[michaelhayward]

Newbies take note. You can learn a lot from this lady. Very well explained, great production, very enjoyable. Congrats

[DCFusor]

"Don't push the shim all the way under, you'll never get it out again." Words of wisdom, no doubt learned from hard experience.