(Ken Strauss) wrote in message om...
Many small lathes quote impressive but incomplete accuracy numbers in
their specs. For example, the Prazi SD400 (see
http://www.emachinetool.com/new/cata...?ProductID=180)
claims a "spindle accuracy of 0.0002". What would be a reasonable
expectation of total accuracy? Say the variation in diameter along 12"
between centres?

I don't think .0002" is necessarily exceptional for spindle runout. My
Chinese 12 x 36 is at least that good. The question of variation in
12" between centers would probably depend more on how well your
tailstock center is aligned with your headstock and how accurate your
centers are. You should be able to turn something between centers to
the accuracy of your spindle TIR which in the case of the Prazi should
be .0002".