Indexing on a lathe

[Johnwa]

Came upon a unique use for a digital level. The picture speaks for itself.

 

[DavidR8]

That's brilliant.
I saw a similar idea using a bubble level but it was not as convenient because the level wasn't magnetic.

 

[YYCHM]

Didn't you get one of those things for x-mas?

Craig

 

[Johnwa]

I did, but never thought of that use.
I used it once on the mill to get a 45 angle. Otherwise it’s got a lot of use around the house levelling wall plates, pictures, clocks etc. It fits nicely in my tool bag.


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[DavidR8]

Would it matter if the lathe wasn't actually level along its length? (not talking about levelling the bed)

 

[DPittman]

Well that's a cool idea...I wonder how well that works...anyone have a link to that particular item ?

 

[YYCHM]

I take it you're having a better experience with yours than @Janger has had with the ones he has tried.

https://canadianhobbymetalworkers.c...find-a-cheap-but-good-answer.1583/#post-17513

 

[Dabbler]

The first one I got was very bad - +/- 4 degrees. The next one I tried is very close, to .1 degree... I think they need checking, as they might be hit and miss, but one you have a good one, it seems to stay that way.

 

[Janger]

if you carefully read the reviews on amazon for that neoteck model it has the same issues I described. I think the people who like it don't need precision and hardly notice the problems.

 

[Johnwa]

I performed a few tests on mine. It doesn’t move off zero until one edge is raised 0.008” (over 2”). I tried it at 90 and 45 degrees and got similar results. Based on that I think it is good for about +/- 0.15 degrees. It’s not as precise as a machinist level, but in many cases is good enough.

 

[YYCHM]

What make is yours John?

Craig

 

[Johnwa]

Mine is marketed by Beall tool company but was made in China. It was purchased at Lee Valley. From the pictures on the internet, I think they all come out of the same factory though.

 

[Johnwa]

Ok, I went back and looked Jangers. Mine does look a bit different.

 

[turner]

I have a Fowler EDP # 16672 ( 54-422-450 ), likely got it from KBC. Repeatability .05*, Accuracy +/- 0.2* as advertised. It has worked well for over 10yrs. Never thought of using it for indexing, thanks.

 

[PeterT]

Coincidentally I just did that very same setup. I had a DTI in the chuck & was attempting to clock around a round section tapered tool (an arbor) that wasn't associated with the tailstock so it had both vertical & horizontal displacement away from the spindle axis. In practice it was kind of a pain to get the meter to settle down at 90-deg positions & read upside down digits. There is something to be said for watching maximum needle deflections using dial indicators. But using the inclinometer in certain situations has its benefits.