What Did You Buy Today?

Janderso said:
You probably know it won't be adequate to level a lathe right?
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wachuko said:
Do not say that!! Take that back right now!!

That is the only reason I bought it!!
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It's true indeed.


BUT. What's (probably) also true, is that a good 90% or more of all the hobby lathes out there have never been leveled whatsoever. **

And I'd also make the audacious claim that a very large percentage of lathes in machine shops haven't been 'correctly' leveled either. Even the ones that have been leveled once-upon-a-time have likely not been checked in years/decades.

You're getting a brand new PM, and you're pretty new to this hobby altogether, correct? (Good for you on both accounts!!) I strongly doubt there could ever be enough twist in the bed for you to notice for at least a couple years. And then in a couple years, you can decide if you want to buy a Starrett 199. Or maybe by then you'll have met a local chum that'll let you borrow his in exchange for a few beers.

Long story short: start making chips as soon as your new lathe arrives. Work out those minor details later, and only if you need to!


** EDIT: I HAVE a Starrett 199 level, and even I've not properly leveled my 1940s lathe. The parts I make come out great!
 
Many of us own the 98-6, the 98-12 and the link below.
When leveling a lathe, it is helpful to have a helper and 2 levels.
The purists and the pros say you need a .0005" in 12" accuracy I believe.
I will be corrected shortly.
Jraut is also probably very correct

www.ebay.com

12" MASTER PRECISION LEVEL FOR MACHINIST TOOL NEW .0005 R} | eBay

2 graduated vials allow for lateral & Horizontal settings. 12" MASTER PRECISION LEVEL. Cast iron body. Main level vial is graduated to 10 second accuracy (one division equals. 0005" per foot. You may ask for freight cost before buying tools. ).
www.ebay.com
 
JRaut said:
It's true indeed.
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Ah, carp... so I got the wrong one... SOB! :D

JRaut said:
...You're getting a brand new PM, and you're pretty new to this hobby altogether, correct? (Good for you on both accounts!!) I strongly doubt there could ever be enough twist in the bed for you to notice for at least a couple years. And then in a couple years, you can decide if you want to buy a Starrett 199. Or maybe by then you'll have met a local chum that'll let you borrow his in exchange for a few beers.

Long story short: start making chips as soon as your new lathe arrives. Work out those minor details later, and only if you need to!...
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I am pretty new to all this, correct. Ordering my small PM lathe next month.

I will start storing beer for when I meet that special someone with a Starrett 199, hahahahahhaha

Thank you!
 
wachuko said:
Ah, carp... so I got the wrong one... SOB! :D



I am pretty new to all this, correct. Ordering my small PM lathe next month.

I will start storing beer for when I meet that special someone with a Starrett 199, hahahahahhaha

Thank you!
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I agree, sort of.
You do need to make sure your lathe settles on all it's feet in a matter that will not twist the bed.
Don't be concerned about having it level. Lathes are on ships. But, those same lathes are mounted in a way that mitigates any twisting of the bed.
I'm going to shut up now and let someone else take over.
We all learn the correct way to go about these things sooner or later, at least you should. Plenty of good videos on lathe leveling.
 
DiscoDan said:
Yesterday I want to items at an auction. A Victor oxy-acetylene setup with bottles, cart, etc and an engine hoist with leveled. The oxy-acetylene set up also had a spare set of brand new hoses!
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Did you get the tank ownership papers with them?
 
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