After a bit of shipping/communication issues, my 4-jaw chuck finally arrived. My first attempt I got it dialed in to about 0.004", but man that was tedious. The last bit isn't so bad but the rough initial dialing in was a bit more difficult.
Practice will make that part come quickly. Focus on two opposing jaws at a time, and ignore everything else. Use the right tool for the job. This is kind of "extra steps", but kind of not, because you're not really setting up anything additional. (Arguably. (I use one thing, but anything handy will substitute....). Initially, use the lines on the face of the chuck to approximate the jaws equally. Before and after you set the part in. When you spin the chuck, if it's swinging all over the place, straighten it visually until it's kinda close. No measurements. Just pick two opposing jaws, then get those two jaws lined up. Ignore the other two until you're happy. Then the same for the other two opposing jaws. Then, move the tool, empty tool post, an empty indicator stand, or anything you've got to be close to the part, and use it as a non-micrometer visual aide. I kind of like a tiny little (six inch?) combination square set on the bed ways standing up. Same thing. Adjust the two pairs of opposing jaws, one pair at a time, ignoring the other. Then drag out the micrometer. As with many things, I find that using a fine measuring tool for coarse adjustments just complicates things.
I think my dial indicator holding needs some work - as it wants to wander. I wonder if maybe a toolpost indicator holder might be a worthwhile project.
If you think that, you're probably right... Indicators shouldn't wander. They can be fiddly, but it should oughtta sit pretty much where you put it. How/when is it doing this? A cheap magnetic stand should be plenty stable for dialing in round parts. How are you setting it up? And are you setting it up to measure the initial "crazy" runout when you first toss a part in the chuck, or is it still moving when you're down to the last few thousandths? You will (in almost all circumstances) want to make sure you're hand spinning the chuck in the same direction while you're taking measurements, but it should stay pretty steady. You can also set even a crap indicator to repeat no matter which way you move the chuck, but kind of the next evolution, getting it to not wander is first/
Given that you're using a quick change tool post, then a tool post indicator holder might very well be a useful, productive, and enjoyable addition. I've got one in mind for mine, without the quick change. It's on the list. You know the list, Been on that list for a long time..... On the other hand, a basic stand works just fine for this. I'd personally want to sort out why the indicator/stand isn't working out first, before I mounted an indicator that rigidly as on the tool post. That's NOT gonna move if something tickles the indicator tip in the wrong way, or if it unexpectedly over travels. But if you've got a handle on those two things, it's quick and easy, and it's your most common measurement, so it only makes sense.
Solving the wiggly micrometer stand/holder problem is kind of an important thing overall, as you can't do much accurate work if you can't measure it. So you will need this answer anyhow.
