How close . . .

[sdemars]

How close should the line up between the tips of the the live center & the drive center be when the tail stock is moved toward the drive center.

I brought ours together on both of our JET 1014's.

There appears to be a slight difference . . . . they do not line up perfectly.

Is it normal for the two tips to match or to be a little off.

Just a little info on what I should expect and maybe a suggestion on what would cause it and how to correct it . . .

Basically, how do I check to make sure there is no problem or if a problem exist how do I correct it . .

Thanks you . . .
Steve
__________________

 

[Randy_]

If you can see that the tips are not lined up it is probably less than ideal......in the neighborhood of a half mm I would say. You will probably have to think about this a little; but the tips might be perfectly lined up and you could still have an alignment problem.

A better check is to put your mandrel in your headstock and then see how well the centering hole aligns with the live center.

Do you have a 60° live center??

 

[leehljp]

In addition what Randy said - check on the alignment when locked. My lathe is a little loose at the tail stock and I "can" lock it into position out of alignment by a visible .5 mm. However mine usually lines up fine if no side pressure is put on it before locking it.

Check to see if the tail stock moves during the locking process. Is it pulling in to play fine or is it staying too far out? Can it be forced by hand into alignment before locking? and then will it stay there during the locking process?

 

[randyrls]

Steve; Metal workers use a thin piece of shim metal to adjust the tail stock. A thickness gauge used for cars works well. Install a dead center in both head and tail stock. Bring the two points together with the shim between them. If the shim twists, adjust until the points don't turn the shim. But you probably don't need to be this precise!

Some people are obsessive! (me for example!)

 

[sdemars]

ADJUST?

Steve; Metal workers use a thin piece of shim metal to adjust the tail stock. A thickness gauge used for cars works well. Install a dead center in both head and tail stock. Bring the two points together with the shim between them. If the shim twists, adjust until the points don't turn the shim. But you probably don't need to be this precise!

Some people are obsessive! (me for example!)

How do you adjust for this . . .? It looks like however it was built this is what you have and are stuck with it. If there is an adjustment method I would be thrilled. . . .

Steve

 

[Paul in OKC]

If you can bring the two points together with a piece of shim stock in between, the stock will be 'square' to the points if they are in line, if not, it will lean to one side.
Hold a playing card between your index fingers and see what happens when you move them from directly in line with each other to a little 'off'. The card will lean. Same principle with the centers. I am one who has never checked this on my Jet lathe. I do not feel it is off too great a deal since our size and trueness of a barrell is determined by our tool control. However, way off would be a problem. Since a half a mil was mentioned, (that is about .020) I would hope these lathes are at least that close. The farther away from the headstock, the less of an issue it is. Less pull on the set up.
I agree with what was said about making sure you check it locked down, and if it can be aligned and then locked down.

 

[Russianwolf]

How do you adjust for this . . .? It looks like however it was built this is what you have and are stuck with it. If there is an adjustment method I would be thrilled. . . .

Steve

some tailstocks have adjustment screws to fiddle with , most of the midis don't. It's usually a feature on the more expensive lathes.To adjust the tailstock on the midis, you may have to sand the bottom of the tailstock, or add a shim, etc. to get it into line.

 

[Randy_]

some tailstocks have adjustment screws to fiddle with , most of the midis don't. It's usually a feature on the more expensive lathes.To adjust the tailstock on the midis, you may have to sand the bottom of the tailstock, or add a shim, etc. to get it into line.

Same applies to the HS which could be out as well, although this is a little more tricky.

Be sure you know what you are doing if you decide to sand. It is difficult to undo that if you mess up!!

 

[VisExp]

Soda can makes good shim stock. Just loosen the bolts on the headstock, slide a shim between the headstock and the bed, tighten the bolts and check the alignment again.

 

[holmqer]

Soda can makes good shim stock. Just loosen the bolts on the headstock, slide a shim between the headstock and the bed, tighten the bolts and check the alignment again.

While I've never tried this, I would be worried about the dissimilar metal junction causing corrosion.

 

[VisExp]

While I've never tried this, I would be worried about the dissimilar metal junction causing corrosion.

It hasn't seemed to be a problem so far. I live in Florida within a couple miles of the coast so corrosion can be an issue. I think the fact that the soda can is coated with plastic might help.

 

[Paul in OKC]

I agree. don't think there would be an issue. And yes, soda cans are lined to prevent the pop from corroding the can. Beer cans are not, generally. (I used to work for a lid manufacturing plant, quite interesting).

 

[Paul Russell]

If the points are off laterally (horizontally), the problem may be that the lathe bed is slighty torqued or twisted. Try adjusting one foot, raising or lowering to bring the points into line. Many lathes have an adjustable foot otherwise try some shims.