Outboard

[Adam Pinson]

Much as i love the outboard function on my DVR.... it always needs realigning, i do this by eyeing a couple of the pointy drives but when i try to create smaller lidded boxes i notice a fractional misalignment.... currently i don't have 30 plus quid to spend on a double ended morse taper chunk of steel, does anyone have a DIY fix? Any tips or tricks appreciated, cheers

 

[Phil Pascoe]

https://www.axminstertools.com/axminster-lathe-alignment-centre-2mt-102427
Not quite £30 if you can make up the order for free P&P.

 

[Adam Pinson]

https://www.axminstertools.com/axminster-lathe-alignment-centre-2mt-102427
Not quite £30 if you can make up the order for free P&P.

Thanks Phil, a better price indeed, it's just due to Brexit the customs here in Europe are having a field day with us Brits now, bogging us down with reams of paperwork and extra charges before delayed delivery..... just had a thought.... i wonder if i could make a replica in hardwood? And would it work ? hmmmmm

 

[SVB]

I think there is a method where flat metal plate is held between points and only when aligned does it sit square to bed. Worth a try.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Why not?
I found the index hole on my Poolewood to put the centres about 3mm out, so I aligned it carefully and put a 1mm disc cut across the headstock and swivel base. I do use the alignment bar once in a while if I'm being ultra fussy, but two 1mm wide cuts are easy to line up.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I think there is a method where flat metal plate is held between points and only when aligned does it sit square to bed. Worth a try.

On some of the dead and live centres I've come across I wouldn't take bets on the point being in the dead centre of the centre.

 

[Sachakins]

I did make a double ended wood MT2. It was an improvement over the eye ball of two points.

But in the end bought one, so glad I did, so quick and easy to use, worth the investment.

 

[gregmcateer]

I did make a double ended wood MT2. It was an improvement over the eye ball of two points.

But in the end bought one, so glad I did, so quick and easy to use, worth the investment.

Plus one

 

[Inspector]

A chuck in the headstock and a drill chuck in the tailstock can be tightened on a steel bar or bolt with the head cut off, to do the same thing as the double taper bar.

Pete

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Assuming your chucks are perfect.

 

[Inspector]

There are lots of things on the lathe we hope and assume are accurate and hope were made to a high tolerance but even a double taper bar might not give good results if the threads and taper in the headstock isn't concentric. Using the chucks would at least produce a result more in line with what you would expect when using them to turn the lidded boxes the OP wants to make. I could suggest using an 0.0001"/0.00254mm indicator and after chasing his tail for a few hours still not get his boxes and lids right because the chuck jaws are out by a country mile. The double chucks will get him in the ball park for little money, the reason he didn't want to get the double taper in the first place. I'm not perfect but my chucks are close.

Pete

 

[Happy amateur]

Another way I have used is to insert a 60degree live centre in the tailstock. bring the headstock and tailstock together with the live centre in the MT of the headstock. When contact made should be aligned.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

The OP does say that doesn't work very well for him.

 

[gregmcateer]

The OP does say that doesn't work very well for him.

Phil,
I think HA means bringing the TS centre up to the empty hollow HS spindle - so the 60 degree centre goes into the spindle bore - if HS is 'loose', it should re align with the TS.
If I've misunderstood his post, apologies and I'll wind my neck in

 

[Adam Pinson]

Thanks for the fine tips chaps, i did make a wooden replica and it seemed to work ok for the first few goes, then not so well..... looks like i'm going to have to invest in a good old steel double ender......

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Phil,
I think HA means bringing the TS centre up to the empty hollow HS spindle - so the 60 degree centre goes into the spindle bore ...

it always needs realigning, I do this by eyeing a couple of the pointy drives ...

 

[Adam Pinson]

Phil,
I think HA means bringing the TS centre up to the empty hollow HS spindle - so the 60 degree centre goes into the spindle bore - if HS is 'loose', it should re align with the TS.
If I've misunderstood his post, apologies and I'll wind my neck in

Greg, this worked perfectly, the supplied live centre fitted perfectly into the headstock spindle centre.... A superb solution

 

[gregmcateer]

That's great.
In the interests of full disclosure, it was happy amateur who suggested it - I just thought it was a great idea.

 

[Adam Pinson]

That's great.
In the interests of full disclosure, it was happy amateur who suggested it - I just thought it was a great idea.

The live center is supplied with the lathe by Record power, it wouldn't really surprise me if this action was engineered/intended for this purpose.....

 

[Adam Pinson]

That's great.
In the interests of full disclosure, it was happy amateur who suggested it - I just thought it was a great idea.

I'm actually pretty sure now the Record power live center was also designed as a centering tool, the shape is built-in..... How nice of them, very thoughtful, great engineering....