Chief Delphi - buying a lathe?

Quote:

Originally Posted by protoserge (Post 1507905)

Have you indicated your parting tool for squareness as you advance it into the part? Have you checked the cross slide squareness with the spindle as it travels across the saddle?

I have not done either. I haven't bought an indicator yet, and my team's lab situation last year made using the lab's indicator...probably not the best idea. For the most part, I was just making spacers and shafts with retaining ring grooves, so that wasn't necessary for me.

Harbor Freight's quick-change toolpost has a lot of play in it, and it's tightened into place with only one screw. I'm fairly certain the parting tool doesn't stay square as I part aluminum. The toolpost stays square enough while facing that I can cut a square surface (as measured with calipers) on both ends of a shaft.

I haven't checked the cross slide's squareness.