Aligning the Steady Rest Quick Tip (With a mistake!)(Part 1 of 2) 

I used to mount the magnetic indicator base to the end of the shaft, rotate the shaft and sweep the tailstock quill or quill bore. I knew my tailstock was pretty close side to side.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Its tricky but effective.

Try this method 1 put your part in the Chuck and in the steady 2 put a lump of plastercine on the end of your part 3 with a centre in the tail stock put the tip of the centre into the plastercine 4 rotate the Chuck by hand a few rotations. The centre will gouge out a hole in the plastercine 5 realign the steady to the middle of the gouged out hole in the plastercine 6 repeat steps 2-5 until the centre is no longer making a larger hole in the plastercine 7 that’s it you are smack on centre It works a treat. I’ve done it more times than I can count It takes about 2 minutes and the only thing you need is a lump of plastercine

very cool. just got an indicator like that. now I know what piece I'm missing. thanks for sharing.

Great explanation of what was going on! Thanks!

love your lathe-- mine is exact same

You could do all that by eye. Simply adjust the rollers to get close (pretty much like you accomplished with the indication), then drill very carefully. You will see right away if the center drill is drilling, or boring because it us still off center. Adjust if needed. Continue center drilling until you have some small amount of real center established. Put in your live center to support the work, readjust your steadyrest to the new position. Now finish drilling your center to the desired size. Support the work with the live center, and away you go. Fun video I have a lathe just like it in my garage.

Useful video, thanks!

I have already subscribed

Nice trick to add to the tool box... ;)

Good imfo Matt Thanks !

Hi. Very useful info. By the way, only have to use three readings. If two readings are taken at 180 deg the other reading should be taken at 90 deg to previous readings. When aligned correctly readings will not change on a round shaft. Sometimes there is no room to rotate full 360 deg. The same technique works to realign a tailstock by clocking up a dead centre with the clock base secured to chuck or spindle.

good trick thank you

That's a good one.

Pretty neat, for the chipper?

Nice video but I have some Constructive criticism. Mounting the indicator on the shaft is not the same as mounting it on the chuck. With it mounted on the shaft if you had the indicator touching where you were gripping you would get almost no indicator reading regardless of shaft misalignment but since you are about 2 inches behind your grip you are getting some reading. If you mount the indicator on the chuck you will be directly reading the TIR of misalignment where the indicator is touching. All the best,Robin