Lathe Leveling

Covering an old classic: Leveling a lathe so it turns concentric parts.
Special guest Keith Fenner!
I've over simplified in few areas -- my intention is to convey / shed light on the general mechanics while still making a watchable video about an otherwise (probably) dry topic.
Dale Derry / Metal Tips & Tricks Leveling a Lathe: • Metal Lathe 101, Tip ...

[@KeithFenner]

Great Job! and a great subject, to expand on. Glad I could drop in and help out! LOL ;{)------

[@foxdmulder]

The master has spoken. :)))

[@jasonjanus5764]

Keith Fenner

[@madheadmadDAZ]

Please join Tony in another video Keith haha! This is hilarious I watch it all the time. Please make it happen Tony.

[@evolati12]

Damn how I would have loved to have been a mosquito on the vice when you were watching this video Mr. Fenner!!!!

[@industrialarts3921]

Now you need to get him back! Do a This Old Tony spoof. ;)

[@deweys]

So if I twist my lathe I can cut tapers?! I'm sold

[@ianbuilds7712]

Npt

[@BrokenRRT]

And to think... This well spoken, witty, brilliant, and entertaining feller (ThisOldTony) use to not talk in his videos! Truth be had Keith Helped me through some rough times. I was stuck in a hospital bed for 170+ days and had an uncertain future. Spent another year in s wheelchair and bed at home . Down and depressed I found Keith's videos while in that situation in the hospital and it kept me entertained while learning something. I'm much better these days but still spend time to time in bed flared up and too ill to get out of bed or leave the house. It's these times I learn all I can by watching these video of yours, Keith's, Abom, S/V Seeker, S/V Delos, La Vagabonde, and few more. I'm very grateful of you folks sharing your time and making these videos to share with us. Some of us know just how much time it takes to edit and load these videos and we greatly appreciate you doing so!

[@thedave7760]

I hope you are healing well.

[@codygibson2809]

Hey I hope you are doing well!

[@mjallenuk]

I cannot begin to imagine how much work you put into making this video... It was totally worth it.

[@marcellemay7721]

Matt Allen Tony pours a lot of work into his editing which is what makes his channel so awesome to watch. He's a skilled machinist as well as a skilled editor. 😊

[@StefanGotteswinter]

Haha :D I got mad at my 0,02mm/m level. it changed reading with me changing my position from one foot to another...and that on a 150mm thick concrete basement...easiest solution was to sell the level :D

[@rubbadubdub7857]

Great idea! I've thrown my bathroom scales out, too. Keep telling me I'm gaining weight. Why's it so hard to find accurate scales?

[@pco1984]

Stefan Gotteswinter I wonder what's going to happen when you, This Old Tony, Keith Fenner and some other guys (like AvE or EEVblog or the likes) will get together and would make a machine... it'll either be glorious or fun to watch :)

[@andreasmagnussen5574]

Stefan Gotteswinter this reminds me of a friend of mine who refuses to use a digital caliper because its hard to ignore the decimal errors :-)

[@dcaonoek]

Germans have the best senses of humour!

[@1873Winchester]

Trying to level my lathe with a 0.05mm/m level, not much easier. Problem is the lathe is so light I don't think it's heavy enough to sit perfectly flat. I think that is why the manual says to cast bolts into the floor and anchor the lathe onto those, then adjust.

[@XSspeeds]

I've been watching Keith for years. This was so well done and just hilarious. I really like how you unite so many familiar you tubers in some of your videos. Since I haven't watched television in ( I can't even remember) 8 years or so, you guys have become my celebrates. Well done!!!

[@samueltaylor4989]

“Chrome, vanadium, drop forged made in Japan” ;”Close ; cast iron made in England”!!! I was crying, laughing so hard!

[@johncoops6897]

Wow, you sure are easily amused. The rest of us heard it as a boring, irrelevant waste of time that wasn't even funny.

[@vladimirpoutine4140]

@@johncoops6897 You replied to a year old comment just to be an ass. Keep to yourself sometimes kiddo. :)

[@ferrumignis]

@@johncoops6897 Not sure why you say _"the rest of us"_ since the vast majority of TOT viewers aren't miserable pricks like you.

[@madeddiesman-stylemonsterm6662]

Great combination of two of my favorite KZbin machining content providers! Nicely done, Tony! I was laughing aloud! Hats off to Keith….I am sure he is good-natured enough to appreciate this in full.

[@user990077]

Absolutely hilarious! Especially because I have watched a lot of videos from both Keith and you over the last few years. Thanks for cheering me up.

[@ButBigger42]

Alright, Old Tony, I am quickly running out of your videos to watch. You got to make more of them. Like, quit your job and just make youtube videos. I promise to like every single one of them. Now that is something you can take to the bank and pay rent with. KZbin likes.

[@ThisOldTony]

ha! thanks Nick!

[@djwebb11]

Watching and listening to this made my week. I had just finished watching Keith's new vid and here he was again. Well Done

[@MG-nz6bx]

That was one of my favorite videos i've ever watched on youtube! I watch all of keiths videos. Going to be watching all of yours too. Super well done, man. Thanks a ton!

[@Makercise]

Thanks for the really stomach cramping laughs in this one. I love your videos and look forward to them. Great stuff every time!

[@jonwatte4293]

That mock-up is super great. Your movies are such wonderful bits of presentation and editing. Glad I found them, and thanks for making them!

[@TheNefastor]

Did you account for the tides ? Lunar gravity throws my lathe out of alignment every couple of weeks.

[@xPentag0n]

You're joking but Airbus had problems with that :D

[@andrewyork3869]

@@xPentag0n I find that level of precise mind boggling.

[@railgap]

@@andrewyork3869 prepare to have your mind blown... kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXfVh5elhM2oZ7M -- my machinist friend is happy if he can hold a tenth. I'm an amateur and I have never needed to do better than a thousandth - good enough for heat shrink fits, small O-ring grooves, and so on. But this guy - THIS GUY - ye gods! He's so next-level I can't see his level from here.

[@markfergerson2145]

@@andrewyork3869 Ask a machinist if you can park a shop heater next to his lathe.

[@andrewyork3869]

@@markfergerson2145 so much more goes into machining then it seems on the surface.

[@ajtrvll]

This Old Tony : one of the most entertaining KZbin creators I know... Keep up the great work !

[@cpcoark]

Watched this again 6 years later and still enjoy it. It also refreshed some forgotten nightmares, ERR, memories. :-)

[@TechGorilla1987]

This is the most amusing video to date! I really home Keith got a chuckle out of this too! Nice work, sir.

[@ThisOldTony]

Thanks, Tech.. that makes two of us. :)

[@millomweb]

@@ThisOldTony Do you communicate by e-mail ? I'm looking for a communicative person with a Student !

[@DoRiteFabrication]

Great job, that took a lot of work. Very entertaining and educational, a combination that is often hard to achieve. Strong work!

[@ThisOldTony]

Thanks Jim! A pleasure to see you here.

[@DoRiteFabrication]

I'm quietly in the background a lot....learning from the masters!

[@garybecker2624]

one of the best, makes learning fun, enjoy watching you and Keith

[@myroutercnc]

Fantastic work as always Tony. I'm sure Keith will love it too! Just fitting DROs to my new lathe, and then onto the levelling so this video was well timed.

[@BillyTpower]

the very best lathe leveling vid I've seen, now you see what can be accomplished when you put your head together with a Jedi Master

[@RicardoJunqueira]

I find it really amusing how I can laugh so bad yet learn so much with a video about tuning up a lathe. Thank you, Tony. I love your channel.

[@MukhtharAhmed]

Awesome, you do put in lot of time and effort to create such good content. Appreciate your humor.

[@I3urnHard]

I love Keith, this mash up is just what this weekend needed :D

[@jurekdekarski2316]

Toooney, as a student and beginner cnc-operator I love your videos. Always fun to watch and informative. This one was great, keep it up.

[@SamEEE12]

I appreciate your decication to the craft of filmmaking. All the best from NZ

[@ls2005019227]

Hands down the most hilarious machining video I've ever watched! Great info as well. Thanks!

[@MG-nz6bx]

that was amazing! you're officially one of my 3 favorite youtubers along with keith and ave now!

[@a-yates]

That was awesome! Keith did a great job what a great community of metal workers.

[@parraandy97]

Great editing as always tony! Hilarious and informative

[@TheScottyboyee]

Tony, I want to thank you. your videos have led me to the purchase of a lathe and a mill. I am currently setting everything up and rewatching your videos for help

[@BuildSomthingCool]

For the record Toni I shot that Lathe leveling video 3 1/2 years ago when I was living in the mountains of north Idaho. I was not 16, I was 18 yr old, but since I've been living here in hot humid Atlanta I've aged almost 35 years. I think I should move back. LOL

[@FtaBta]

Yes! Move back here to Idaho!

[@chaseweeks2708]

I swear, you make some of the funniest educational videos I've ever seen. Thank you.

[@tomherd4179]

Great comedy team, thanks for the video and laughs.

[@hatersaywhat8986]

I can't mash the like button enough! You sir have entertained an unentertainable person. Once again, great content and production at the highest level

[@outsidescrewball]

Sure could have used (understand) this information years ago when I got my "well worked" lathe! Great vid again!

[@intjonmiller]

It gets harder to pick a favorite of your videos every time you upload a new one. :)

[@Daravigos]

Two years later and it's impossible to pick just one favorite

[@jeremyindenver]

Your videos are so good. Great quality, and super original. Keep it up!

[@Myrulv]

TOT: You are a fabulous teacher. I have leveled machines as a job, and you really makes it understandable. 🤗

[@bostondan77]

Great video, thank you for your time invested to teach and make it fun.

[@David_Best]

This is a great video. I'm in the process of installing and leveling a new lathe myself, so this was timely. But I'm also an avid watcher of Keith Fenner's videos, and I laughed aloud throughout your video. Very entertaining as well as educational. If only all KZbin stars were as good . . . Thanks for doing this.

[@FredMiller]

Over the top Tony! Informative AND I LMAO! Thanks for the info and thank you Keith for helping out....

[@gatling185]

Is there some kind of award for this performance? I have never seen/heard such a dry subject keep me so entertained/listening and informed as this!!! Great, creative, WOW!!!!

[@r777w]

Thanks, that was incredibly useful. I thought I understood the various geometric issues at hand, but you really brought it all together nicely and I definitely learned a few things.Kudos on what must have been a ton of editing to get Keith to visit. He's a stubborn bugger.

[@bobmccown4588]

"My parts are small, or I can compensate" That's just too much information.

[@yusufmirgoul3541]

the first guy on KZbin to admit his parts are small

[@chanakyasinha8046]

And it turned out tapered

[@419thmilitia]

I just knew there was a "thats what she said" coming but I guess not.

[@bryanboyd9453]

If and when I need cheered up, simply laugh, and learn TOT and Keith. Both of you at your best!!!

[@CwazyWabbits]

That was excellent! You are a very talented guy, thoroughly enjoyed the video :)

[@shawnlund]

Simply brilliant Tony, great idea of having Keith over to the shop to answer a few questions we have all been dying to know. I'm glad you had the courage to ask about the desiccant thing, probably easier for Keith to open up to another KZbin machinist celebrity.

[@b3nsb3nz]

oh man this is awesome, cracking me up at breakfast. nice work as usual man, very entertaining!

[@jescheffler]

Great video and, as always, I enjoy your sense of humor

[@muskegsmith3388]

there are a lot of components involved in accuracy, and yer efforts certainly helped, and I busted a gut with the humor, thanks for your video work

[@NulledMedia]

Best youtube collaboration I've seen to date!

[@daviddominessy]

Loved this one! Excellent work and great humor!

[@ac4uv]

This video was enlightening, thank you for being an outstanding mentor TOT. Happy Chips

[@rosswaring2835]

Thanks Tony. Your mock up really helped explain the issues. Greet work.

[@OldIronShops]

Tony you always make such entertaining vides even if they weren't about machining they'd still be fin to watch.

[@eefalzer]

Absolutely hilarious. I love your videos and Keith's videos.

[@longrangesweden]

I'm a changed man after watching this video! I must admit that i thought that the leveling didn´t do that much, but afte watching you put that piece of material under one of the leveling feets and show the differens it made i'v changed my mind. Thank you for your time!

[@Snipermac99]

I'm impressed by your commitment to the bit.

[@justinhobbs7514]

Wish the like button could be clicked more than once, great job Tony as always. Thanks man!!

[@lewisheard1882]

Great vid as always, I really like the mock ups! Helps me follow along

[@barryantrim6508]

hi tiny another great video. great sense of humor. I've never seen a lathe set up that way before. I've always separated the leveling process from the tailstock adjustment. I've always hung a shorter piece of material in the chuck without the tailstock in play and took a very light cut. adjust the levelers until the cut is true. at this point the ways are parallel to the center axis of the machine. Next mount a piece between centers and if you're cutting a taper then the tailstock is adjusted to correct. in your method any twisting of the ways will influence the part via the tail stock. I hope that makes sense. at the end of the day if it's cutting right then method isn't a problem. just thought you might want to hear my way. why I don't know LOL THANKS again for great video. I'm always waiting for more of yours.

[@ThisOldTony]

What you described is correct. Didn't intend to do a step by step (I think I make ref to that in the beginning?), more meant to expose that lathe alignment affects the work and how it does that. In my case my lathe was fine (headstock, tailstock, twist) before I moved it. It started turning a taper after I moved it back .. so I already knew what the problem was. Thanks for watching and good comment! Maybe I have to do a follow up.

[@peterpantsher]

Was looking for this answer, but being a newbie I thought I better read all the accolades rather than ask a dumb questions 4 years after the fact. Cheers guys

[@davidduffy9806]

Dear, This Old Tony.... another brilliant, witty and very well edited vid.

[@cosimomarotta9552]

Tony is always a nice surprise. I am happy i found his channel and hope he will produce more and more contents. Applause.

[@johnmcdonnell6109]

Great topic and absolutely hilarious! Thanks Tony!

[@rubbadubdub7857]

I recognized Keith Fenner's voice in the very first two words of your video. I continue to love your wry and droll sense of humor! Just great, Dude!

[@mikedelam]

Very informative. Funny as hell, too. Nice of Keith to contribute as well.

[@wildbill9480]

watching your videos is time well spent - awesome!!!

[@c.barr813]

Love the videos, this one especially. Keep them coming!

[@gregmcmurrey6640]

Great video and love the comedy!! I could watch your videos all day.

[@courierdog1941]

Thanks for the Link on Dale Derry / Metal Tips & Tricks Leveling a Lathe. a unique and doable by most anyone especially those who do not have an expensive Precision Lathe Level

[@sashcsgo]

tony you make me giggle like a little kid. thank you for all of this, greeting from germany

[@jason-ge5nr]

who knew he was that sensitive about desiccant

[@framavia2201]

Superb!! informative - and put me in a better mood too! love it. I have the same old colchester lathe, might be time to do a few tests on that - I think the world has twisted a bit since I first installed it!

[@Braeden123698745]

You're a brilliant youtuber

[@kingcrunch85]

This was enjoyable, really liked the choice and editing of Keiths comments.

[@vbidou17]

Gentlemens, thank you from France for this very comprehensive and useful vidéo ! It will serve my Colchester Triumph 2000. François

[@beernd4822]

Great show, informative and funny. Thanks Tony

[@tuscanland]

The most original and entertaining, that's for sure!

[@benstrock]

I love it! Good job with the editing. I'm sure Keith will get a kick out of it too.

[@jameskarl424]

I cannot believe I missed this video. The world needs you, Tony.

[@CNCJoeFromRomeo]

Great video. Thanks for putting it together!

[@chrismorton9736]

That was hilarious !!! You guys should do more of these.

[@bwood454]

Great work, hilarious! Keep them coming!

[@markalbrecht2444]

Glove the videos Tony, keep them coming . Thanks

[@Hex173t]

Ok - this vid is going into my favorites list for watching whenever I need a laugh! Funniest thing I've seen in a while. Already watched it several times and it's still making me guffaw :D

[@Simon-rx2ow]

Awesome video, very clear instructions and teachings

[@davidcampbell4743]

Dude that was hilarious and entertaining and informative. Three thumbs up

[@princetikki]

There is a reason why your subscriber count is climbing in record time. very well deserved!

[@animalmother2242]

I'm dying!!! this is hysterical

[@aga5897]

Brilliant timing ! My mini lathe is almost running with a washing machine motor, and the thing turned tapers straight out of the box. Now i got a clue what to go looking for to fix that. Thanks !

[@volkeresper9519]

Thank you very much for that video! I always wondered why manufacturers making such a hype with leveling lathes with a 300$ machinists level. Now I know... Great job! Volker

[@calebkreller2156]

Haven’t laughed this much in a long time! Great video!

[@timothyprochilo4840]

Great video. My old atlas has been out 5 thou over 24". Could only use it for short stuff and the parts were still tapered. Got it down to 1/2 thou over the entire 40" bed. THANKS THIS OLD TONY!!!

[@joepie221]

Ok, I actually like leveling lathes. Its a challenge to do and keep your sanity at the same time. My question is, how do you know that 'V' block you used on the front rail and that 1-2-3 block on its 2" side are parallel across the top? Did you cut the 'V' block? Nice level by the way.

[@bstanga]

@ 18:14 he says they are not the right blocks, but he has the combination somewhere :-)

[@barrygerbracht5077]

He said he was just getting the bubble within the range he could read relative changes from one position to the next. It is irrelevant if the lathe is actually level. It is important that it is not twisted.

[@joepie221]

Agreed. Constant is a good indicator too. Thanks

[@PeterWMeek]

You could use a planer gauge or adjustable parallel as part of one stack to get both sides equal.

[@rosemaryrobartes1743]

How about an accurate automatic site level and a set of verniers ?

[@cherr979]

FANTASTIC VIDEO. I wish now that I had spent ore time in the "Metal Shop" , verses the "WOOD SHOP" back in Jr/ Senior HIgh ... GREATLY ENTERTAINING !!

[@ATrustInThrust]

This is awesome, you do awesome original videos

[@a.bergantini4129]

This video is so funny! Thanks for making it!

[@CompEdgeX2013]

Love the guest video Tony...awesome job. :-)