How do you measure spindle runout on a shaper? I tried putting a 30mm
spacer over the 3/4 spindle and measured 9 thousandths variation at the
top of the spindle with a dial indicator. The spacer is not totally
tight to the spindle ( nor can it be or you couldn't get it on or off ).
I suspect this measurement is meaningless due to slop.

The spindle itself is threaded so I can't measure that directly. Any
ideas on how to get an accurate measurement?

I'm checking runout because I'm getting significant vibration with a
very heavy cutter. I suppose the cutter could be out of balance also.
The cutter is a Leitz jointer - 3 inches in diameter and two inches
high with two blade inserts held by gibs.

--
I can find no modern furniture that is as well designed and emotionally
satisfying as that made by the Arts and Crafts movement in the early years
of the last century.