Where I did my time, any lathe bigger than a Colchester 2000, was on a Fully Floating & Insulated purpose poured slab. No rubber iso mounts. Every machine, was "Re-Leveled" every year , hard mounted & Grouted. This was part of our QA Qualifications for Navy & Aerospace Accreditation. Our Mecof 8m Bed Travelling Column Mill , had 2M deep slab under it !!!
@davidgagnon2849
6 ай бұрын
That Mecof sounds like a beast! It wouldn't even fit in my shop!
@prairiemountaineer
8 жыл бұрын
Wow!! I love simple and accurate solutions like this. Thank you very much for your series. Keep up all the great videos Dale, you will make a machinist out of me yet .
@tracylemme1375
5 жыл бұрын
In actuality the surfaces to register to are the back flat way and the front vee way. The perfect tool for this is the carriage. Mount your vertical column on the compound and go from there. I use a precision level for this. Your method with plumb bob is inventive, though not quite as accurate as a level, but a lot less expensive. Keep the good videos coming.
@bilbo_gamers6417
3 жыл бұрын
This is amazing. It seems like this could potentially be even more accurate than a precision level.
@poplarhouse
5 жыл бұрын
Over five years later and we're still benefiting from your contributions: thanks, Dale! I spent the better part of this afternoon building your tool and checking the lathe I've had for 20* years. Miraculously, the bed turned out to be perfectly level, but I would never have know without your great video.
@raphaeldesmond4736
3 жыл бұрын
i know Im kind of randomly asking but do anybody know of a good site to stream newly released movies online ?
@bradenemmanuel3350
3 жыл бұрын
@Raphael Desmond Flixportal
@raphaeldesmond4736
3 жыл бұрын
@Braden Emmanuel Thank you, I signed up and it seems to work :D I appreciate it !!
@bradenemmanuel3350
3 жыл бұрын
@Raphael Desmond no problem :)
@craigsudman4556
5 жыл бұрын
I just love the way you make your own tooling for doing everything
@shawnroberts8169
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video. You have no idea how much I appreciate this. Very simple, and extremely successful results 👍
@alessandroandrenacci2372
2 жыл бұрын
Dale, thank you very much for your clever method of levelling a lathe. I'm just an hobbist, but i ask to my poor chinese lathe the better precision i can achieve. After having moved to my new house, i'll soon come back to play with my lathe, having now a room only to be used for my favourite hobbies ; and your video now is what i really need to restart "with the right foot" ... so, thank you very much again. Best regards, Alessandro from Rome
@stevecarothers4050
10 жыл бұрын
Dale, There is a more accurate way of leveling a lathe and much more simple. Instead of using a plumb bob hanging from a fixture such as yours you use a pendulum hanging down from bearing above and then you use a dial indicator resting against the end of the pendulum. You move the fixture from end of lathe to end of lathe and watch the indicator and adjust or shim the feet till you read the same. Thanks, Steve.
@bobblack3870
2 жыл бұрын
I read this 8 times. I still cannot figure out what Steve is explaining.
@KevinToppenberg
2 жыл бұрын
@@bobblack3870 Let me try to guess. The video's plumb system consists of a horizontal bar at the base, a vertical shaft and then an upper horizontal arm. Now, instead of having a flexible string hanging from an top arm, imagine having a rigid bar that pivots via a bearing at the same point that the string would have been attached. This rigid bar would extend all the way down to the base, but be just short enough to still pivot and not interfere with the base. One could then measure near the base the distance between the pivoting bar and the vertical shaft via an indicator. Critique: This seems MUCH more difficult to construct. And couldn't one still use an indicator against the plumb bob and get the same reading?
@daveh777
7 жыл бұрын
More great learning! Thank you for these videos. I just began collecting and restoring older Vintage Machinery last year, out of necessity to have the stuff I needed to do home renovations on a very tight budget. I'm actually building a lathe from various parts of other machines and steel stock, and just yesterday realized I would need to re-engineer my base/stand from the ground up to allow for leveling, and being able to build your plumb-bob method and the feeler gauges will work well enough for my needs. Eventually, I'lll have a proper metal lathe or three, but for now I just need one that can make pulleys and the occasional shaft or arbor. As I acquire more pieces parts, I'll also use the one I'm working on now to make a second, larger and more refined version of DIY lathe. Your videos are easy to understand, and that's important to someone like myself who finds themselves needing a lathe, but with little background in what to do. I subscribed after watching your "How To Inspect and Buy A Lathe" video. Keep up the good work, and thanks for sharing. Dave H.
@keithnoneya
6 жыл бұрын
Wow Exactly what I needed to level my lathe. This is a LOT cheaper than a Machinist Level capable of doing this job. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. Best Wishes n Blessings. Keith Noneya
@BuildSomthingCool
6 жыл бұрын
Glad I could help
@artmckay6704
2 жыл бұрын
Best lathe leveling approach I've ever seen! I love it! :)
@KyHighlander59
7 жыл бұрын
Awesome! I thought I was going to have to buy an expensive machine level, as my machine manufacturer suggested. Thanks for this. I actually bought some pipettes to make a level. this will be easier. LOL
@donnyo65
5 жыл бұрын
Wow - what a simple but brilliant method. As soon as I saw the plumb bob I knew what you were doing but the shim idea is also inspired - thank you.
@orange12v
10 жыл бұрын
Hi Dale, Great idea but a bolted on block to go up against the side of the lathe way would have made a better register that ink marks.
@TomHaroldArt
7 жыл бұрын
I just got my new/used lathe all cleaned up this afternoon and am literally at the point of moving it onto the stand. I was using a bubble level and adjusting the stand feet, then I came up to check something on the web and this video was among a bunch of random suggestions. Perfect! Thanks for making this one, Dale!
@BuildSomthingCool
7 жыл бұрын
HI Tom. Congratulations on the new Lathe. :-)
@TomHaroldArt
7 жыл бұрын
Thank you, Dale! As you can imagine, I'm pretty stoked. I started watching your videos when I was shopping for it. It's an Atlas 12"x36". You have tons of great info and projects I can't wait to try!
@rosswaring2835
7 жыл бұрын
Thanks Dale...what a simple, yet effective method. Going to straighten my lathe up suing this. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. Ross from Oz
@lucianovasco4654
4 жыл бұрын
Boa noite, adorei esta técnica de nivelar o torno usando um prumo. Gosto muito de técnicas de baixa tecnologia, porém de alta precisão. É oque eu sempre procuro para resolver problemas. Coisas simples, inteligentes e precisas. Obrigado.
@domenicaloisio5136
3 жыл бұрын
What a great idea, thank you Dale, I will be leveling my LAthe soon.
@MattysWorkshop
3 жыл бұрын
Gday Dale, I just got my new lathe, I don’t have a precision so this I’d the way I’ll be leveling it, thanks mate for your help here, greatly appreciated, cheers Matty
@HawaiiGoesFishing
2 жыл бұрын
A brilliant idea! This plumb bob level can definitely have other applications.
@lifuranph.d.9440
5 жыл бұрын
The ends of the bed, against the headstock [L] and tip where the tailstock rests [R] , are usually the least worn...sometimes showing flaking. I always double check with the level on the carriage, full travel left to right as the final check.
@Just1GuyMetalworks
4 жыл бұрын
Actually watched this video quite some time ago. I just put your knowledge to work and it worked really well. So just tuned back in to say thanks 👍😁👍.
@paradiselost9946
Жыл бұрын
i just realised this, and yeah.... had to search. nice to see im correct for a change... now to scrape a base. oh. a small modification as i watch the bob wave back and forth? when you look into galvanometers, they sometimes use eddy current braking to damp the needle. certain types... a little disc of copper or aluminium, and some strategically located magnets. several ways to do it. just want to induce eddy currents, produce lenz reactions. doesnt effect the reading but does tend to pull the bob into line a bit quicker if its damped.
@paulbfields8284
2 жыл бұрын
8”-10” Precision Starret Spirit Level would be my choice .. also it’s nice to have a lathe with headstock that is adjustable as well. A lathe can become exceptionally accurate with proper leveling and indicating.
@KyHighlander59
7 жыл бұрын
Made a similar setup to what you have there. I found it easier to use black iron pipe in 1/2 inch and use elbows, 8 inch nipple and a floor flange. Total cost about 20 bucks. My lathe was higher in the back near the tailstock. I thought it was just the opposite using my carpenters level. Slide a shim of stainless under it and it reads perfect on the little plumb bob.
@TAWPTool
10 жыл бұрын
Great video! I just discovered your channel and have subscribed. I love the HD, video work and editing. Keep it up and keep the videos coming! Thanks for taking the time to do them.
@BuildSomthingCool
10 жыл бұрын
Thanks for your encouragement. I have 5 other video that i have shoot this month. Now if I could only find the time to edit them. :-)
@youngmuttley
10 жыл бұрын
What a great idea for shims, brilliant.
@BuildSomthingCool
10 жыл бұрын
Hi Young Muttley, I wish I would of thought of it first. I got that tip from an old Car Guy. Dale d
@lifuranph.d.9440
5 жыл бұрын
Most auto parts stores sell 12'' long feeler gage strips separately. I use them to double check piston to cylinder clearances especially after boring a cylinder. They start at 0.0015", then 0,001", 0.002", etc. Mine go to 0.010", but they do go thicker.
@RedDogForge
Жыл бұрын
genius! and if one has a surface grinder and a surface plate and scraper one COULD get the bottom of the gage dead to nuts flat. be a cool side project too :) ive got a lvl but I'm absolutely terrible at using it. definitely going to build one of these.
@TheKnacklersWorkshop
4 жыл бұрын
Hi Dale, I know this is an old video but i really like it... i am waiting for a new lathe and have a limited budget so this setup will be great for me. Take care Paul,,
@LittleAussieRockets
2 жыл бұрын
Tony sent me. Good stuff!
@dragman377
6 жыл бұрын
Great tip....I will do this on my lathe, thanks Dale.
@BuildSomthingCool
6 жыл бұрын
Glade you like this video:-)
@Adventure_Van_Upgrades
Жыл бұрын
where are you dale ??? the world needs more tips and tricks!
@jamesdepaul3410
7 ай бұрын
Very clever, thank you so much.
@scottwillis5434
4 жыл бұрын
Seems like best accuracy would be something (V-blocks?) riding on the same surfaces as the carriage. This setup assumes there are no nicks or different wear on the top surface vs. the way surfaces. If you wanted to get fancy, damping the pendulum could be done the way balance-beam scales do: piece of aluminum sheet passing through a magnetic field. Motion produces eddy currents, which converts the kinetic energy into a bit of heat.
@EZ_shop
10 жыл бұрын
Fantastic videos Dale, keep them coming.
@BuildSomthingCool
10 жыл бұрын
Thanks Crivo 152 Dale d
@JohnSmith-do2op
10 жыл бұрын
If you had the tip of the plum bob resting in a small bowl of syrup, it would damp down the swinging action.
@Raul28153
3 жыл бұрын
I like that. I'm thinking spindle oil. I'd need a registration point in the little container.
@ikkentonda
10 жыл бұрын
I'm still a pretty clueless newbie, but there's a fantastic old article on lathe alignment (archived at www.neme-s.org/Model_Engineer_Files/Align1.pdf) that points out the carriage references off the sides of the vee-ways, not the top, and that the top of the vee's aren't usually precision ground or scraped. Actually, my little logan lathe carriage references off the sides of the v-way in the front and the flat surface in the back. I tried your method originally (with a machinist's level directly on the tops of the vees), then with the level on a matched pair of 1-2-3 blocks on the flat portion of the ways, and finally with the level directly on the saddle. In my case, the results using the tops of the vee's as reference differed significantly from the other results. I was surprised to realize that simply placing the level on the saddle itself (and cranking the carriage left, right and center) worked as well as anything, and to my mind gets directly to the point. The whole point of removing twist is that you don't want the saddle to pitch forward or back (even minutely) as you move the carriage left and right. Correct?
@BuildSomthingCool
10 жыл бұрын
Hi Rex. Thanks for sending me the Link its a great article. I think your right about the tops of the Vee ways not being milled correctly on most lathes. I did check mine before I leveled it, and forgot to mention it in my video. I will disagree with you about putting the level on the carriage. The goal of this video is to have your Tail stock lined up with the head stock. The carriage runs on a different set of tracks that are usually worn more near the head stock than at the tail stock. PS I would not say your a glueless Newbie Dale D
@jamesconnors5653
7 жыл бұрын
Rex Walters right-o.
@warrenmaker798
7 жыл бұрын
You are quite correct, a better version of this clever rig is to mount the pole on to the cross slide itself. I mounted mine to where there are 2 tapped holes for a taper attachment. By mounting it directly to the cross slide you are reading exactly what the tool bit sees at it travels back and forth along the bed. Also you must let the blumb bob stop moving to get an accurate reading. To stop it swinging around hold a pencil against it and roll the pencil away slowly will allow the bob to settle perfectly
@lifuranph.d.9440
5 жыл бұрын
The Machined ends of the bed, against the headstock [L] and tip where the tailstock rests [R] , are usually the least worn...sometimes showing flaking. I always double check with the level on the carriage, full travel left to right as the final check.
@codprawn
4 жыл бұрын
That article was from the Original Tubal Cain - an old British chap writing back in the 70s.
@Newmachinist
10 жыл бұрын
Hi Dale and the best to you and yours for 2014 Really like your video's - learning a lot. Looking forward to new ones when you have the time. Really respect the amount of work that goes into producing one. Thanks - Rod
@KevinToppenberg
2 жыл бұрын
Great video. I'm thinking about the accuracy. I think that your visual inspection of the bob position in the horizontal axis can't be more accurate than +/- 0.010". With height of vertical arm of 4 ft (48"), then this would be the equivalent of (0.010/48)*12 = +/- 0.0025"/ft. Not bad. It would be a fun experiment to see if sharpening the end of the bob and putting a finely-graduated scale under it could improve this. Or perhaps use an indicator. Your approach is very cool and innovative. Thanks!
@Arckivio
2 жыл бұрын
It's good to see someone use ingenuity rather than pulling out a £2000 tool!
@BBB-ly8ro
5 жыл бұрын
Hey don’t tell me what to do. Great video. Can’t wait to get to the shop.
@aliawadallhhassnhassnsaadh2884
4 жыл бұрын
It is a very simple and elegant way to shik
@fsj197811
Жыл бұрын
Neat! Thanks for sharing.
@TheRecreationalMachinist
5 жыл бұрын
Love it. Thanks for sharing :-)
@gregjennings9442
6 жыл бұрын
Hint. A laser pointer in place of the plum line/bob would need no settling time. Never go whacko if the A/C comes on, either.
@MaturePatriot
6 жыл бұрын
That looks like an old Hg filled plumb bob. Good, simple, tool. I like it.
@BuildSomthingCool
6 жыл бұрын
Thank for watching
@edwardhugus2772
Жыл бұрын
Have you considered 2 V grooves on the bottom of the flat bar to fit ON TO the ways?
@Gottenhimfella
6 жыл бұрын
Cunning dodge! Possible improvements: machine a couple of grooves underneath, and screw or glue a dowel into each, to register either side of the V way (or ways) - as other commenters have mentioned, the top horizontal edge of the ways is sometimes not true to the ground guideways. (You can check this with a block with a shallow V in it, onto which clamp a mag-base DTI, and slide it along). Another way would be to glue bearing balls into drilled dimples: two pairs of balls to register on one V-way, and a single ball on the other way, to eliminate rocking and avoid the need for accuracy. No need for sharpie alignment marks, either. Also, (ideally) a piano wire, or perhaps nylon monofilament, through a notch at the top, would stay put more reliably when shifting the rig to the other end. If the string slips, the reading will be out by the same amount as the slip. I wondered about a further enhancement, using a shorter rig and a heavy cylindrical bob with a DTI (using an 'elephant foot' plunger end) if someone wanted to use this more generally, and more conveniently. Alternatively to a plumb-bob, a pendulum with a knife-edge bearing, perhaps? This would allow using a sensitive, side lever indicator. Still a lot less effort than earning the money to buy a sensitive level.... especially for those who would have to make a V-registering sub-base anyway...
@lifuranph.d.9440
5 жыл бұрын
The ends of the bed, against the headstock [L] and tip where the tailstock rests [R] , are usually the least worn...sometimes showing flaking. I always double check with the level on the carriage, full travel left to right as the final check.
@jonothen100
8 жыл бұрын
Simple and accurate thank you.
@mechmania8450
4 жыл бұрын
Good method with simple tools. Why not mount the plumb bob on the slide and move it back and forward, that's the bit which does the business. Also yours is a long lathe shorter lathes could not be deflected as much by adjusting the feet. I have an old lathe which would indeed deflect the bench before it would change.
@gregc1749
7 жыл бұрын
Awesome tip, Thankyou
@BuildSomthingCool
7 жыл бұрын
Thanks Greg
@Raul28153
3 жыл бұрын
one of comments below speaks about using a viscous fluid to let the bob hang in. I settle bob's out using a bit of torn paper towel. just a wee piece.
@chrismate2805
5 жыл бұрын
Well, this is different simple and cool.
@johnm840
3 жыл бұрын
Just watched a Joe Pieczynski video, what about leveling the head stock? How do you "level" the 4 feet on the head stock? I had not thought of this before. Scared to check mine now, but got to know.
@yertre
7 жыл бұрын
Nice video but i think i have a simpler way and maybe more accurate. Take 2 pieces of half inch bar stock about an inch long and drill a small hole dead centre to insert a small guitar string through. Then put one piece in the lathe chuck and the other piece in a drill chuck inserted in the tail stock and draw it taught . Then put a very pointed tool in the tool post then follow the string moving the carriage front to back. I've never tried this but to my logic i think it would work and be pretty accurate. What do you think?
@JaakkoF
7 жыл бұрын
You are assuming your chuck holds the thing concentric, the drill chuck holds it concentric and the string being absolutely in the center of your little bar stock. Also you are assuming that the tailstock is coaxial with the spindle. Essentially you are introducing way too many variables in to this s you have no idea where the errors come from. The proper way is to level the ways either as shown or using a precision machinist level and then start by checking that the headstock is parallel in two planes to the ways. From there you can then start checking and adjusting your tailstock.
@yertre
6 жыл бұрын
As for concentric is cincernerd that what dial indicators are for. Tail stock should be set correct before any kind of leveling. Also my method will compensate for any lathe errors.
@goldeee666
7 жыл бұрын
wow, pretty cool technique
@BuildSomthingCool
7 жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it
@hamiltongazim7094
3 жыл бұрын
good afternoon, I just discovered your channel, I would like to take a doubt, this method works on "lathe-bench" or lathe 600mm ? I'll make a table for it in steel and use wood and rubber underneath , should I use this method or have to use other techniques ?
@BuildSomthingCool
3 жыл бұрын
I try it and see how it works :-)
@cliffjones1511
10 жыл бұрын
Great tip
@BuildSomthingCool
10 жыл бұрын
Thanks Cliff. Dale d
@fireblade639
8 жыл бұрын
hi.. great vids.. i just bougt a logan 820... but i can't find a correct size for my bench... could you tell me how tall should be the spkndle from the ground???
@BuildSomthingCool
8 жыл бұрын
Make the hight comfortable for you. I base the height on the large hand wheel on the carriage. If I have to reach down to get it, its to low. I hope this helps
@gibbsey9579
8 жыл бұрын
I was once told to put your left hand on your right shoulder, and your elbow should be at centre height.
@bengineer8
Жыл бұрын
Here from This ld Tony.
@AffordBindEquipment
7 жыл бұрын
wouldn't the proof be in actually turning a piece to see if your leveling device actually worked? This is great if one doesn't have a fancy level, but even with one of those, the only way to know for sure is to actually turn a piece to see if they are the same at both ends. Then the fine tuning goes from there.
@BuildSomthingCool
7 жыл бұрын
you are correct.:-)
@JaakkoF
7 жыл бұрын
Yes and no. You first need to measure that the headstock is parallel to your ways so that the taper doesn't originate from there. Only after that can you start fine tuning things.
@OldIronShops
11 жыл бұрын
Great tip I was gonna by a high prastion level
@rosemaryrobartes1743
7 жыл бұрын
If you put the plumb bob in a jar of glycerine it settles down quicker acting as a damping fluid .
@BuildSomthingCool
7 жыл бұрын
Hi Rosemary I will have to try it.
@ShuffleSk8Ter
10 жыл бұрын
very interesting way to do this...i simply use a precision level...good job though
@BuildSomthingCool
10 жыл бұрын
Thanks, Lawrence
@andrewsommers8298
10 жыл бұрын
$1400 later...
@das250250
8 жыл бұрын
This can be used to level anything . I wonder how sensitive this is versus a precision level ?
@JaakkoF
7 жыл бұрын
You can calculate it easily when you know the length between the ways (in this example) and the height of your plumb bob fixture. Divide the height with the length and you get the multiplication factor of how sensitive it is.
@davidgoodrich4745
7 жыл бұрын
Hi Dale and thanx for sharing your knowledge. I just purchased a 8.5 20 lathe from lms .how critical is leveling on a lathe this small? I have made a platform from 3 3/4 inch cabinet grade plywood that is glued to avoid distortion and will be mounted on a rolling tool chest. have not mounted yet and after watching your video thinking of a stud mount so i can shim under corners. please give me your opinion. unit will be mobile so leveling the whole cart will be impractable . thanx.
@BuildSomthingCool
7 жыл бұрын
Hi Dave. My worry for you is the bed will twist over time. But don't worry there is a simple solution. Mount the lathe to a thick Board, and mount that board using 3 points onto the roll around cabinet. The three points will keep the lathe from twisting.
@davidgoodrich4745
7 жыл бұрын
Thank's so much for taking the time to respond to my question. I'm glad i asked you first starting the project. Now that you got my wheels turning i'm going back to the drawing board. thanks again and good job on the new playground.
@JRock17991
5 жыл бұрын
Brilliant
@guypatts494
6 жыл бұрын
How accurate is it
@degi1351
9 жыл бұрын
Hi, do you have any tips on aligning a pillar of a small milling? Or similarly a pillar of a pillar drill. Because ive got a small bench mill and I'm almost sure that its not exactly perpendicular :/ thanks a lot and keep up the informative videos :)
@johnhili8664
8 жыл бұрын
+Ryan Degiorgio Rayan are you from MALTA?
@degi1351
8 жыл бұрын
Yes
@johnhili8664
8 жыл бұрын
I am accomplished machinist ex dockyard if you want to contact me send message 79275668
@TheFixxxer11
9 жыл бұрын
hi,, can it use cariage?
@harrybarker1408
7 жыл бұрын
nice
@iancraig1951
10 жыл бұрын
It certainly seems to have a fair degree of accuracy and it saves the expense of having to buy a precision machinists level and last but not least you save money---thats a good thing..
@GibClark
5 жыл бұрын
Cool
@jojomama4787
6 жыл бұрын
your name seems to have changed from M.T.&T. to B.S.C....wondered why I couldn't find you for a while
@BuildSomthingCool
6 жыл бұрын
Glad you found me again
@marcgionberthoud9394
4 жыл бұрын
cool! 2tu !!
@sigfridoangulo2678
4 жыл бұрын
El error en tu metodo es que en donde apoyas la base de la plomada no es confiable ya que en ese punto no apoya el delantal del torno
@TheDivineImpulse
10 жыл бұрын
i will probably have a hart attack if i even try this ( will do next week) until i build proper concrete feet for my lathe
@andybaldman
2 жыл бұрын
Tony brought me here
@moxey25
9 жыл бұрын
do it properly dti is the most accurate
@PeterWMeek
9 жыл бұрын
Nice hack. You don't need a $1000 precision level to get good results.
@Newmachinist
10 жыл бұрын
Hi Dale Thanks a bunch for the great videos - I've picked up a couple of great tips. For your information I wanted to go to your website metaltipsandtricks.com but my browser (mozilla) wouldn't let me in saying the connection wasn't trusted or secure ??? Beats me. Thanks again for the videos - much appreciated
@BuildSomthingCool
10 жыл бұрын
Hi Newmachinist. Sorry, I have not had time to set up the web sight. Im presently working on the formate. and trying to develop a useful place to get information about metal and things related. Dale d
@dennyskerb4992
10 жыл бұрын
Nice, now post some new stuff.
@BuildSomthingCool
10 жыл бұрын
Hi Dennis Skerb, I have a lot a content already shot, The bottle neck in my production is finding the time to edit the footage. :-( Im hoping to be putting a new video out every to weeks. wish me luck. Dale d
@KnolltopFarms
10 жыл бұрын
***** I feel you man...I can't even find the time to go to the market for batteries for my camera, LOL!
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