CHJ
Established Member
Get a strong light and someone else to help.
With chuck jaws open to expose the headstock spindle bore and with tailstock centre removed.
Shine light up from behind headstock or tailstock and take a sighting from the other end of the lathe, you should see be able to see straight through like looking down a gun barrel if the two bores are aligned.
The next easiest alternate check in engineering terms is to fit two Morse taper alignment test pieces and check with a straight edge between the two but these are expensive for a one off check.
Be cautious of just trying to clamp a steel bar in the chuck as opposed to using the spindle Morse taper, it is unlikely that you will get it aligned true to the bore.
With chuck jaws open to expose the headstock spindle bore and with tailstock centre removed.
Shine light up from behind headstock or tailstock and take a sighting from the other end of the lathe, you should see be able to see straight through like looking down a gun barrel if the two bores are aligned.
The next easiest alternate check in engineering terms is to fit two Morse taper alignment test pieces and check with a straight edge between the two but these are expensive for a one off check.
Be cautious of just trying to clamp a steel bar in the chuck as opposed to using the spindle Morse taper, it is unlikely that you will get it aligned true to the bore.
