O P E R A T I O N

 

For Machines Mfg. Since 5/11

13" Heavy 13® Gearhead Lathe

 

 

 

Aligning Cutting Tool with Spindle Centerline

For most operations, the cutting tool tip should be aligned with the spindle centerline, as illustrated in Figure 60.

Tools Needed

Qty

Tool Post T-Wrench

............................................... 1

Steel Shims

As Needed

Cutting Tool

1

Fine Ruler

1

Tailstock Center

1

Cutting

Spindle

To align the cutting tool with the tailstock

center:

 

Tool

Center

1.

Mount the cutting tool in the tool post, then

 

Line

 

 

secure the post so the tool faces the tailstock.

 

 

 

 

 

2. Install a center in the tailstock, and position

 

 

 

the center tip near the cutting tool tip.

 

 

3. Lock the tailstock and quill in place.

 

 

4. Adjust the height of the cutting tool so

 

 

 

that the tool tip is aligned vertically and

 

 

 

horizontally with the center tip, as shown in

Figure 60. Cutting tool aligned with spindle centerline

 

Figure 61.

 

(viewed from tailstock).

 

 

 

 

There are a number of ways to check and align

 

 

 

the cutting tool to the spindle centerline. If

 

(Top View)

necessary, you can raise the cutting tool by

 

 

 

placing steel shims underneath it. The shims

 

 

 

should be as long and as wide as the cutting tool

 

 

Tailstock

to properly support it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cutting

Center

Below are two common methods:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tool

 

s Align the tip of the cutting tool with a center

 

 

 

installed in the tailstock, as instructed on

 

Cutting

Tailstock

the next page. For this to work, the tailstock

 

Tool

 

Center

must be aligned to the spindle centerline

 

 

 

 

 

(refer to Aligning Tailstock To Spindle

 

 

 

Centerline on Page 40 for detailed

 

 

 

instructions).

 

 

 

 

ss -AKE A FACING CUTAON A PIECE OFUROUNDOBAR

 

(Side View)

stock. If the tool is above or below the

 

 

 

 

spindle centerline, a nub will be left in the

 

Figure 61. Cutting tool tip aligned with tailstock

center of the workpiece. Adjust the height of

 

the tool, then repeat the facing cut to check

 

center.

 

 

 

 

the adjustment. Repeat as necessary until

 

 

 

the center of the workpiece face is smooth.

 

 

 

-47-

Page 49
Image 49
Southbend SB1049 Aligning Cutting Tool with Spindle Centerline, To align the cutting tool with the tailstock, Top View