Tailstock alignment.

[tonyfoale]

There are two usual methods to align a lathe tailstock.
1. Put a bar between centres and take a cut along its length, measure each end, adjust tailstock and repeat procedure until it is within acceptable limits. This is time consuming and you reduce your bar to swarf.

2. Get a standard ground alignment bar made for the purpose. Mount it and traverse its length with an indicator. Adjust tailstock to suit. This can be much quicker than method 1. but you need to have an alignment bar.

Having been born with a hefty dose of the lazy gene I wanted something with less work and this is how I do it.


Just rotate the chuck and watch the clock. Adjust as required.