asdfasdf wrote:
On 10/7/2012 3:01 AM, Gunner wrote:
On Sat, 06 Oct 2012 20:14:07 -0500, "Pete C."
wrote:


asdfasdf wrote:

I have a 10" South Bend lathe (serial RKL) that I'm
having a problem with. I've used it to turn small
pieces until now. I was making a shaft about 5.25"
long and .75 diameter. I kept checking the diameter
and was satisfied at the tailstock end but found that
headstock end was about .008" larger. I am not
using the tailstock so alignment to the tailstock
is not an issue. I have to assume that the headstock
is not aligned with the bed. Does anyone know the
correct procedure to re-align the headstock with the
bed for the given lathe?

The shaft was probably flexing since you were not supporting it
with the tailstock.


Correct. The tailstock end was being pushed away from the cutter and
it was allowed to move

The rule of them is 3 diameters at most before you should use
something to hold the shaft. You are about 6 diameters

Gunner


The tailstock end is the smaller diameter. As the piece approaches
the headstock it gets larger.

Google "rollies dads method" to first check alignment , then if you do
indeed find it's off check for chips or swarf between the head and the vee
way that's supposed to align it . Any chance the head bolts got loose and
were re-tightened without checking for debris under it ?
--
Snag
Wannabe Machinist