Levelling Colchester Student Mk1 Lathe
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For most lathes of a reasonable size it is necessary to level the lathe to avoid inducing twist in the bed and to ensure proper alignment. There are several KZfaq videos on this topic but I haven't seen any specifically aimed at levelling a Colchester Student Mk1 (or Mk 1.5). This video aims to address the specific mounting features of these lathes and offers a solution for practical levelling.
In my video Colchester Student Mk1 Lathe - Renovation Tips (Part I) I touched on this topic but inadequately. A little further thought and tinkering has led to to a better understanding of how the lathe should be levelled as presented here. Note this video doesn't deal with alignment of the headstock with the bed.
With appreciation for music tracks from the KZfaq Music Library: "Jazz Mango" - Joey Pecoraro; "Easy Stroll" - TrackTribe.
@EvoKeremidarov 2 жыл бұрын
I've been waiting for this video. My bed is definitely not level and despite all my efforts i cannot make it perfect
@Workshopfriend 2 жыл бұрын
The other factor to take into account is whether your headstock is properly aligned. If I have time before we leave here at the end of the week I will try to do a quick video on that as it follows on naturally after levelling.
@stewartthompson5039 4 ай бұрын
I very much agree that the levels at the three points you checked are now level, but that doesn't take into account the level at which each point resides in space, without checking the level in an axial direction along the bed. They could in fact be quite different from each other which would still give you a non concentric result in your turning.
@Workshopfriend 4 ай бұрын
Responded to this in your next comment.
@stevecallaghan3245 2 жыл бұрын
and a Merry Xmas to you
@stevecallaghan3245 2 жыл бұрын
Excellent! Thank you for posting this. Your drawings are amazing as usual. Just goes to show that a ruler, pencil and piece of paper will suffice.
@Workshopfriend 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you, again, Steve for your kind comments.
@stewartthompson5039 4 ай бұрын
I must revise what I just said, in that: they do not need to be level, but MUST be in a straight plane along the length of the bed.
@Workshopfriend 4 ай бұрын
Hello Stewart. Thank you for your comments. Yes, I agree that ideally the bed should be checked to ensure it is level in the longitudinal direction. I attempted to deal with this by the feel of the jacks aiming for roughly equal loading. I suspect that turning accuracy will be far less susceptible to bending of the bed along the length than to torsion along it. Since it would be difficult to measure with my level I was going to propose another approach: To mount a test bar in the mandrel to detect vertical deviation with a DTI from an unworn surface of the bed. I might try this in a later video. I think there will be diminishing returns for a lot more effort. I wonder if you agree.
@stewartthompson5039 4 ай бұрын
Hiya, thank you for the reply, yes you're right about the diminishing returns, but the bast way to do it is to use a really good straight edge and feeler gauges. But using a long test bar is even more accurate for the end result, as it refers back to the accuracy of the headstock deviations. Either way, great job and very well thought through, and superb work.@@Workshopfriend
@Workshopfriend 4 ай бұрын
At some point I would like to make a straight edge (or a set!) will see. I think too costly to purchase. (I made a rough set of three from hot rolled steel for my homemade lathe but for this something more accurate would be required.)