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?

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.

On 10/6/2012 9:14 PM, 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.


No I checked that pretty well. I blued the part after the cut
and ran the cutter down the length. It scribed a light line down
the length and never put any pressure on the tool. I took very
light cuts and had a great finish with no chatter. I took maybe
a couple of thousandths off the last pass. I'm pretty sure it's
misaligned.

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

--
Adde cruorem stultitiae, atque ignem gladio scruta
To your folly add bloodshed, and stir the fire with the sword (Horace)

On Sat, 06 Oct 2012 22:04:46 -0400, asdfasdf
wrote:

On 10/6/2012 9:14 PM, 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.


No I checked that pretty well. I blued the part after the cut
and ran the cutter down the length. It scribed a light line down
the length and never put any pressure on the tool. I took very
light cuts and had a great finish with no chatter. I took maybe
a couple of thousandths off the last pass. I'm pretty sure it's
misaligned.


I'm not sure but doesn't the South Bend headstock align on one of the
bed Vee ways?

--
Cheers,
John B.

"asdfasdf" wrote in message
...
On 10/6/2012 9:14 PM, 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.


No I checked that pretty well. I blued the part after the cut
and ran the cutter down the length. It scribed a light line down
the length and never put any pressure on the tool. I took very
light cuts and had a great finish with no chatter. I took maybe
a couple of thousandths off the last pass. I'm pretty sure it's
misaligned.

I'd still say the workpiece may be flexing. Try the same test with a piece
of 3/4"-1" rod. that shouldn't flex.

JB

"asdfasdf" wrote in message
...
On 10/6/2012 9:14 PM, 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.

No I checked that pretty well. I blued the part after the cut
and ran the cutter down the length. It scribed a light line down
the length and never put any pressure on the tool. I took very
light cuts and had a great finish with no chatter. I took maybe
a couple of thousandths off the last pass. I'm pretty sure it's
misaligned.

RKL means unhardened, right? My 10L is an RKX with hard ways.
Could they be worn at the head end enough to shift the carriage?
jsw

"asdfasdf" wrote in message
...
On 10/6/2012 9:14 PM, 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.


No I checked that pretty well. I blued the part after the cut
and ran the cutter down the length. It scribed a light line down
the length and never put any pressure on the tool. I took very
light cuts and had a great finish with no chatter. I took maybe
a couple of thousandths off the last pass. I'm pretty sure it's
misaligned.

The shaft could still be moving a little or misaligned in the chuck. If you
want to check the alignment you can use a test bar or make one but the
readings would be meaningless unless it is supported and centered on the
tailstock, AFAIK.

On Oct 7, 3:01*am, Gunner wrote:

*I kept checking the diameter
and was satisfied at the tailstock end but found that
headstock end was about .008" larger.

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


Gunner



I am confused. If the tailstock end is being pushed away from the
cutter, wouldn't the tailstock end be bigger?


Dan

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.

On 10/7/2012 7:17 AM, JB wrote:
"asdfasdf" wrote in message
...
On 10/6/2012 9:14 PM, 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.


No I checked that pretty well. I blued the part after the cut
and ran the cutter down the length. It scribed a light line down
the length and never put any pressure on the tool. I took very
light cuts and had a great finish with no chatter. I took maybe
a couple of thousandths off the last pass. I'm pretty sure it's
misaligned.

I'd still say the workpiece may be flexing. Try the same test with a piece
of 3/4"-1" rod. that shouldn't flex.

JB




It started as 1.25 and I took it down to .75. The tailstock
end was the smaller end.

On 10/7/2012 8:17 AM, wrote:
On Oct 7, 3:01 am, Gunner wrote:

I kept checking the diameter
and was satisfied at the tailstock end but found that
headstock end was about .008" larger.

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


Gunner



I am confused. If the tailstock end is being pushed away from the
cutter, wouldn't the tailstock end be bigger?


Dan



Yes and that is not the problem. I am pretty sure it is an
alignment issue.

"asdfasdf" wrote in message
...
Yes and that is not the problem. I am pretty sure it is an
alignment issue.

If the spindle isn't parallel to the ways I think you would see a
difference in how a pointed rod that spins true aligns with the
tailstock when chucked close, and when extended. This assumes the
inner ways that align the head and tail aren't worn or damaged.

The rod could be a sharp pencil in a 4-jaw, adjusted to not wobble at
the point.

There might be a chip under the headstock if a previous owner had
removed it. Can you detect a gap at either end with a magnifier and
bright light?
jsw

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

"asdfasdf" wrote in message
...
On 10/7/2012 8:17 AM, wrote:
On Oct 7, 3:01 am, Gunner
wrote:

I kept checking the diameter
and was satisfied at the tailstock end but
found that
headstock end was about .008" larger.

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


Gunner



I am confused. If the tailstock end is being
pushed away from the
cutter, wouldn't the tailstock end be bigger?


Dan



Yes and that is not the problem. I am pretty
sure it is an
alignment issue.

Then perhaps the bed is twisted?
phil k.

"Phil Kangas" wrote in message
...

Yes and that is not the problem. I am pretty sure it is an
alignment issue.

Then perhaps the bed is twisted?
phil k.

If the RKL is on a sheet-metal cabinet like mine that is very
possible. There is a bed twist adjuster in the base on the tailstock
end, the two screws in the round tags.
jsw

On Sun, 7 Oct 2012 05:17:04 -0700 (PDT), "
wrote:

On Oct 7, 3:01*am, Gunner wrote:

*I kept checking the diameter
and was satisfied at the tailstock end but found that
headstock end was about .008" larger.

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


Gunner



I am confused. If the tailstock end is being pushed away from the
cutter, wouldn't the tailstock end be bigger?


Dan

Eeep!!....absolutely correct. I once again, read it wrong while I was
doing something else. I need to pay far more attention or keep my
mouth shut.

Indeed...his head stock is out of alignment...or...more likely the
ways are worn close to the headstock.

Gunner, who just woke up and will let others tell him how to determine
if this is whats happening


--
Adde cruorem stultitiae, atque ignem gladio scruta
To your folly add bloodshed, and stir the fire with the sword (Horace)

On Sun, 7 Oct 2012 07:57:39 -0400, "ATP"
wrote:


"asdfasdf" wrote in message
...
On 10/6/2012 9:14 PM, 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.


No I checked that pretty well. I blued the part after the cut
and ran the cutter down the length. It scribed a light line down
the length and never put any pressure on the tool. I took very
light cuts and had a great finish with no chatter. I took maybe
a couple of thousandths off the last pass. I'm pretty sure it's
misaligned.

The shaft could still be moving a little or misaligned in the chuck. If you
want to check the alignment you can use a test bar or make one but the
readings would be meaningless unless it is supported and centered on the
tailstock, AFAIK.

http://www.neme-s.org/Rollie%27s_Dad%27s_Method.pdf

This is a very good way to check alignment or wear..or both

Gunner

--
Adde cruorem stultitiae, atque ignem gladio scruta
To your folly add bloodshed, and stir the fire with the sword (Horace)

"asdfasdf" wrote in message
...
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?

1) Hang a piece of 1" material about 6 inches out of the chuck and then
carefully turn the last 1/2 inch or so that is closest to the tailstock down
to exactly .950 diameter.

2) Cut away all of the rest of the bar except for the last 1/2 or so that
is nearest to the chuck down to about .900 or so, for clearance.....

3) Carefully cut the last 1/2 in or so that is nearest to the chuck down to
exactly .950 diameter.

4) Finally, loosen and re-align your headstock by bumping /shimming/
scraping or otherwise adjusting until an indicator placed on the carriage
produces the same reading at both of the .900 diameters.

"PrecisionmachinisT" wrote in message
news:m5qdnZeh_PN1SezNnZ2dnUVZ_jGdnZ2d@scnresearch. com...

"asdfasdf" wrote in message
...
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?

1) Hang a piece of 1" material about 6 inches out of the chuck and then
carefully turn the last 1/2 inch or so that is closest to the tailstock
down to exactly .950 diameter.

2) Cut away all of the rest of the bar except for the last 1/2 or so that
is nearest to the chuck down to about .900 or so, for clearance.....

3) Carefully cut the last 1/2 in or so that is nearest to the chuck down
to exactly .950 diameter.


See correction below...

4) Finally, loosen and re-align your headstock by bumping /shimming/
scraping or otherwise adjusting until an indicator placed on the carriage
produces the same reading at both of the .950 diameters.

On Saturday, October 6, 2012 5:11:12 PM UTC-7, 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

Is it possible that the flex of the workpiece caused the issue?
If the tool rake exerts a pull, that'd do it. What orientation
was the cutting edge presenting to the work?

On 10/7/2012 8:02 PM, whit3rd wrote:
On Saturday, October 6, 2012 5:11:12 PM UTC-7, 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

Is it possible that the flex of the workpiece caused the issue?
If the tool rake exerts a pull, that'd do it. What orientation
was the cutting edge presenting to the work?


It was 90 degrees to the work. Now I'm thinking my problem is
play between the carriage and the ways. I'm taking it all apart
and cleaning and adjusting it.

In article ,
asdfasdf wrote:

On 10/7/2012 8:02 PM, whit3rd wrote:
On Saturday, October 6, 2012 5:11:12 PM UTC-7, 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

Is it possible that the flex of the workpiece caused the issue?
If the tool rake exerts a pull, that'd do it. What orientation
was the cutting edge presenting to the work?


It was 90 degrees to the work. Now I'm thinking my problem is
play between the carriage and the ways. I'm taking it all apart
and cleaning and adjusting it.

Consider getting new gibs. It was necessary on my Clausing 5914.

Joe Gwinn

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.
Nope, workpiece deflection would make the free end bigger, the headstock end
smaller. On most lathes the headstock cannot be adjusted, it has
vee ways on the bottom that fit to the bed ways.

The remaining possible problems could be wear on the bed or twist of
the bed. Wear of the front way near the headstock would cause the
larger diameter near the headstock, and that is a bit difficult to fix.
Twist in the bed could go either way. What you need to do is find
a piece of hardened and ground shafting, or something stiff and round,
and put it in the chuck. Use a dial test indicator and read at several
positions from close to the chuck to about a foot away. Rotate the chuck
slowly by hand and average the high and low readings to eliminate
wobble from the measurement.

Now, you can shim under the tailstock end of the bed (assuming it is a
bench lathe) or otherwise adjust feet on the cabinet to see if you can
reduce the error. You may be able to find a compromise that even partly
nulls out the effects of wear.

Jon

"Jon Elson" wrote in message
...

Now, you can shim under the tailstock end of the bed (assuming it is
a
bench lathe) or otherwise adjust feet on the cabinet to see if you
can
reduce the error. You may be able to find a compromise that even
partly
nulls out the effects of wear.

Jon

On my Heavy 10 the tailstock end of the bed rests on a pivot shaft
within the foot. There are two opposing setscrews labelled "leveling
screw" on the front and rear of the foot below the pivot. I think they
press on the sides of an extension of the bed below the pivot. The
round red labels are clearly visible in this photo:
http://media.photobucket.com/image/r..._Us/OHMIKE.jpg

I put a precision level across the ways at the head end, shimmed it
with a feeler gage to get the bubble into the graduated area, then
slid level and shims to the tail end which was off, but the bubble
lined up with the same line when I released the setscrews.

I ran the screws in gently to contact, then tightened them alternately
a little at a time.

The adjustment is similar to the one that offsets or centers the upper
part of the tailstock.

Another way:
http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb...stment-232037/

jsw

Jon Elson wrote:

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.

Nope, workpiece deflection would make the free end bigger, the headstock end
smaller.

Isn't it possible for the piece to climb a bit if the too is set too far
below center? We're talking what, 0.004" of deflection, not a lot.

Pete C. wrote:


Isn't it possible for the piece to climb a bit if the too is set too far
below center? We're talking what, 0.004" of deflection, not a lot.
Seems far fetched, I just don't think so. Small vertical errors
make VERY small changes in diameter.

Jon

On Monday, October 8, 2012 12:48:50 PM UTC-7, Jon Elson wrote:
Pete C. wrote:





asdfasdf wrote:



I have a 10" South Bend lathe (serial RKL) that I'm

having a problem with.

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

Nope, workpiece deflection would make the free end bigger, the headstock end
smaller. On most lathes the headstock cannot be adjusted, it has
vee ways on the bottom that fit to the bed ways.

The tool can push the free end away, or (if it has aggressive rake) can pull the
free end of the workpiece toward the tool. It doesn't always make the free end bigger.

While a headstock cannot be adjusted, it's possible the bearings can
be shimmed or adjusted (don't know about this model in particular).

"whit3rd" wrote in message
news:11399b54-6450-4251-b3ce-

While a headstock cannot be adjusted, it's possible the bearings can
be shimmed or adjusted (don't know about this model in particular).

They have a shim pack under the bearing cap to set the proper
clearance.