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Calling all machinists

badger red said:
I do have a question--the Clausing manual, in the leveling section has a requirement for a level at least 6 inches long that will show a distinct bubble movement when a .003" shim is placed under one end. I found such a level, a Starrett for about $650. I know having your bed/ways as level as possible is very important, but is there an alternative level I could use? How often do you use such a level? Do you have to check your machines at work from time to time? I don't mind laying out the money if I have to, but I'd like to know before I do.

Thanks again

Jeff
Click to expand...


That is for an ideal machine setup spicifically when doing long shaft work and minimizing taper. IF you were going to be holding tight tollerences sure you would want to get it as level as possible, But what your going to use it for just get it as close as you can with a regular level. The machine will hold plenty close tollerence. I didn't level my lathe at all for what I was doing at home, it held perfectly fine tollerence. I could hold +/- .0002/.0003 with it at the chuck working area. Turning a longer piece, yes I would get a tad bit of taper, but nothing to even be concerned about.

If I had a much newer lathe I would have taken the time to level it. I have leveled lathes at work using .0005 per inch Starret levels though many times. One time one of the guys was moving something with a fork lift and bumped one of our big lathes, we checked it and had to re-level it. Mainly because we did 21 to 26 FOOT long shafts in it. Only lathe I have ever seen with a 6" thru spindle and duel chucks, one on the front of the gear head (regular location) and one at the back of the gear head. Plus we used a stedy rest to support the other end.
 
Agreed my victor is leveled with a very small sterrett level, like a couple inches long same with my Bridgeport and small hardenge style lathe. For the cnc machines we have bought all of them from the same Mazak dealer and use there tech guys for all the installs.
 
Well, now I'm really stoked!!! Got home from work Thursday night, wired the Phase-A-Matic converter and checked voltages like the tech support guy told me to. Voltages checked out good. Wired the lahte and..it RUNS!! The tech support guy told me the converter I had may not run the lathe's motor since they both had the same 2HP rating--ideally the converter should have a rating of 50% more than the motor you're trying to run for starting up. Anyway, he said give it a try, it might work, and it did. Now I need to get a good disconnect box and some wire and another 220V breaker for my shop.

By the way--the Phase-A-Matic web site and their tech support are great--very friendly and seem to really know thier stuff. He even told me how to wire the thing, what lube to use for the bearings, helped me with wire size and circuit breaker size, as well as disconnect selection, which will save some money.

The Clausing manuals are on the way--should be here next week.

Jeff
 
I've seen such a set up that you're describing. It was on a massive CNC lathe at the Wichita machinery show several years ago.


Thanks to both of you for the leveling ideas.


Jeff
 
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