Rising to a new Level

[wizard69]

I guess that depends upon how you define “need”. Having the main ways level, on any machine tool, is an advantage for many setup challenges. As for lathes in general, yes removing twist is a major justification for leveling.

Another thing to remember, Ralph...

The lathe does not need to be level*. What is needed is to remove any twist from the bed. A level is just a convenient tool with which to measure twist.

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* Lathes are regularly mounted in ship machine shops where level is something that only happens when docked.

This is true. The point I’m trying to make is that a level machine tool aids in setup work. While it might upset a traditional machinist, I’ve used an electronic protractor on many occasions to get a “good enough” setup. That does require a level table to begin with.

I might be a bit obsessive here as I even leveled the little bench my grinders are on.