Lathe Indicator Universal Mount

[Crusty]

As a follow up to my indicator mount which attaches a dial indicator to my lathe's toolpost,

I made this base (seen from behind the lathe backstop, cross slide on the right) which also accepts the mount and allows me to position the indicator to measure from my cross slide or compound and attaches to the flat lathe ways using two very strong neodymium bar magnets. It was intentionally made so that no tools are required to position it and so it can be quickly configured to take transverse and longitudinal measurements. It's also designed to be low profile so that no turning diameter is sacrificed in its use. Using the leverage of the extension it can be removed from the ways quickly. The dovetail post adjusts through 360º, the mount adjusts vertically on the post, the slotted extension adjusts the post position transversely, and finally the indicator clamp allows the indicator to rotate so that the dial is visible in any orientation and to be set longitudinally. I also upgraded to a 2" travel dial indicator that's more convenient on a lathe.