Lathe Leveling

[@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. 😊

[@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!

[@deweys]

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

[@ianbuilds7712]

Npt

[@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. ;)

[@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.

[@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!!!

[@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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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. :-)

[@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

[@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!!!!

[@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.

[@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

[@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!

[@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!

[@Myrulv]

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

[@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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 !

[@bryanboyd9453]

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

[@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!

[@jameskarl424]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@garybecker2624]

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

[@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.

[@chaseweeks2708]

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

[@SamEEE12]

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

[@davidduffy9806]

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

[@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

[@leebarnhart831]

My old South Bend is almost 80 years old. That's twelve years older than me. What I don't like it looks better than me and makes better parts than me and complains less than I do. Oh well.

[@Makercise]

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

[@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

[@jason-ge5nr]

who knew he was that sensitive about desiccant

[@princetikki]

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

[@MukhtharAhmed]

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

[@guitarrelic]

Just brilliant. A masterpiece. I see that some people have zero sense of humour here and don't read the description either.

[@brukernavnfettsjit]

That mock up model took a lot of the "black magic" out of lathe leveling for me. Thanks! I could never understand it before.

[@davidtaylor6124]

Yeah, it was a really good demonstration of what we're looking to correct.

[@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!

[@outsidescrewball]

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

[@MG-nz6bx]

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

[@cosimomarotta9552]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@Adrianyoutubing]

I love that your use a Colchester student lathe, I live and work in Colchester. Shame Colchester lathes shutdown..

[@MaxMustermann-pr2ez]

thats so true !! was intruduced as a machinist on a good old cholchester...thats true for all the good old companys from Germany , England and the USA ..

[@I3urnHard]

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

[@vbidou17]

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

[@christophercastor6666]

I love this video because it’s a super important topic for people like us that obsess over producing perfect parts, or at least as perfect as our precision instruments can prove or disprove. It’s also extraordinarily difficult to describe. ToT is a master, no doubt! I just crafted a description of the parallel/straight predicament. Lmk what you think: Coplanar may be the most concise term for describing the relationship between the ways and (center of the chuck) the work. “A single flat 2 dimensional plane connects each way to the center of the work, each way to the other, and a single Regular Triangular Prism joins the planes between ways and from each way to the center of the work.” -Castor

[@adamengland6609]

Have you thought about how very specific the nomenclature of your humour is. It's brilliant. Thank you.

[@huev0z]

Knowledge, wordplay, diction, rhetoric, but editing too?.... Im sure a lot of this and these things go over everyone’s head. It sure does to mine. These video’s r genius to say the least. Not sure how u do it. But I appreciate it. Thank you.

[@tomherd4179]

Great comedy team, thanks for the video and laughs.

[@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

[@ls2005019227]

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

[@dwightdoane6762]

I would really like to see you redo this video with a full alignment starting with the headstock like you might if you were bringing in a new lathe - this is truly a very complicated process but worth the education. I really love your videos- especially with the kids being part of it - thanks for reading

[@flashpointrecycling]

I just love that the mock up Lathe was labelled "10EE".

[@a-yates]

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

[@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

[@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!

[@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 !

[@Goodwithwood69]

How did you get all that audio from Keith? His videos are so short and he hardly talks!

[@sinsilius]

At first I was thinking he asked Keith to record some lines like 'my feet are levitating now' but now I doubt that. This was hilarious

[@RichardHeadGaming]

Actually a lot of the tracks are from recent videos of Keiths I recognize most of them. Some of them were serious cut and chops grabbing words from here and there to make sentences.

[@mobiousenigma]

nope lol its all outtakes from keiths videos i recognized many of the clips and the episodes there from .. the my feet are off the ground one is followed by abom help! lol as keith hangs from a cheater pipe on a socket ... great episode ..nice explanations and clearly presented;] i only hope keith sees the humor and accepts it as praise or flattery instead of finding it insulting ..personally i think its great and think he will as well

[@rodrigoagudelo7071]

Richard Schmidtendorff .

[@waltermeerschaert]

When I watch Keith, I do so at 2x. He almost sounds normal that way.

[@David_Best]

I haven't watched this video in 4 years, but just rewatched and I'm still laughing. Keith talk-over is just hilarious.

[@bostondan77]

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

[@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.

[@kingcrunch85]

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

[@pedrotome9119]

Well, I am amazed this time, not only by all your knoledge, wich's normal through out all other videos I've seen, but this time I am also amazed by your imaination on how to explain these matters and the ways you made up to turn an almost unseanable video to a pleasent one... I am a self mde man, who would love to learn how to use a lathe, as how to weld properly, and how to use other precision's machines. But there isn't any sort of school around where I live, and I got a very much different job that happends I love too. I work in a secondary public school, and of course surrounded by teachers. We got some grand souls there. Yet none like you... Please keep iving us some more videos. Me and thousands others who could not came in to college classes have now maybe our last closer chance, right here at You Tube University. 1000 Thanks!!

[@mikedelam]

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

[@sashcsgo]

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

[@Skraap]

Holy fuck that was so funny! I hope Keith is a good sport about it :)

[@dgedi78]

I think he is, it's not as serious as a 4 jaw competition after all!

[@Snipermac99]

I'm impressed by your commitment to the bit.

[@NoelBarlau]

As always, clearly presented with simple yet extremely effective visual aids. One could learn more from this video than an entire chapter in Machine Tool Reconditioning. Great book, but doesn't do well at getting to the main point expeditiously.

[@parraandy97]

Great editing as always tony! Hilarious and informative

[@Braeden123698745]

You're a brilliant youtuber

[@Pappaoh]

This vid still cracks me up. Love the exaggerated model to show twist can affect relative tool position.

[@rosswaring2835]

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

[@jeremyindenver]

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

[@phooesnax]

I guarantee Keith is laughing like crazy. Tony....that was so good. Look out Adam....Tony is coming for ya!

[@einars899]

I watched this video because I'm aligning one of my lathes today, and another in a week. But it's kind of hard doing precision measurements while laughing! You make a frustrating project funny. I know it have been mentioned below. But turning between centres may bring out several snakes from the chip pan! Imagine the rear of your lathe is twisted clockwise looking from the spindle towards the tailstock. The tool will move towards the operator as you showed with your homemade lathe. The tailstock quill will also move towards the operator. It will bring the test bar with it and the test bar will not turn a taper. I know, not quite right because the tool is closer to the headstock than the live center, but there is an effect counteracting a true measurement of the twist. This in addition to what you mentioned that the tailstock quill itself may be out of alignment. Not being concentric with the spindle even when the lathe is not twisted. This is in fact the most common and greatest error I have found when checking my own and other lathes. There can be several causes for this, and not necessarily the result of a crash. IMO the way to go is first level the lathe with a test piece in the chuck only. Then check the tailstock alignment. Which is a can of worms in itself, left/right, up/down (usually OK) and pointing straight at the spindle center.

[@OldIronShops]

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

[@TheJoyofPrecision]

My only question is... has Keith found out yet? He *is* in my neck of the woods you know. Heck I practically drove past his shop to get that screwcutting Hjorth lathe. :) Great work as always, Tony!

[@hopper1]

Keith knows. His comment beat you by about three hours LOL.

[@PeopleAlreadyDidThis]

Nearly choked on my chicken strips. What a scream! Thanks to Keith for good sportsmanship!

[@grntitan1]

I am battling my lathe lately over it not being or staying level. I made 1/4" steel plates for the factory adjuster feet to set on thus spreading out the load. It still wants to get out of level. I assume it is happening from the vibration of the machine causing it to "walk". This is an old 5912 Clausing lathe. The original manual shows anchoring the lathe to the concrete with 3/8" concrete anchors. The factory adjuster feet have holes for this very purpose. I'm going give this a try. I'm convinced it will end my frustrations. Wish me luck. Good video and perfectly timed.

[@ThisOldTony]

Good luck! Though if its an old machine it may have a bit of wear which will make leveling next to impossible. Best you can do is get it close enough for the size work you do.

[@grntitan1]

This Old Tony Actually it had a very easy previous life leaving it in very good condition. It was set up and used as a second step lathe for machining bronze bushings in a small custom hot rod shop in the Midwest USA. It is a 1962 and the ways look like new. Of course they are the flame hardened ways so they usually do. When I level it using a precision level, it will make beautiful straight cuts with no taper. When I start noticing the finish on my turnings looking rough and even chattering, I'll recheck level and it's always off on the level. I mean anything is possible and there is certainly a chance there is wear I can't detect. I figure I'll anchor it thus eliminating that from my mind. 😁

[@BrokenRRT]

grntitan1 - what is your floor made of? Substrate? Monolithic slab or ?

[@grntitan1]

BrokenRRT I have an 850 sq foot shop on a 10" thick concrete slab. The concrete is the very smooth polished finish. It sweeps up hips and dust nicely but I think it also accentuates my problem with the lathe being that the floor is slick and smooth.

[@grntitan1]

kentucky ken I suppose you could, but I'd be worried about it being hard to level and then stay level even after the "settling" period. I think I'm gonna go with Clausings recommendations of the concrete anchors. It won't be the first anchors in my shop, as I've anchored several other items. Worst case, I have holes in my floor and I'm still whining about my lathe walking. I'm thinking Clausing had a reason for putting the suggestion and even how to instructions in the manual way back.

[@clockguy2]

If I were Keith, I wouldn't know whether to be flattered or disturbed with all those sound bytes. You could have a future with the NSA. One thing is for sure...We need the Keith Fenner soundboard!

[@1889michaelcraig]

Dude I lost my shit at the hose part. I've watched this probably 4 times in 4 years. Never gets old lmao.

[@FredMiller]

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

[@WCGwkf]

I used to do this a lot on haas mills when I was maintenance at a shop. sometimes it took a long ass time and others it was quick but all we did was clean the table and adjust the feet till it was level everywhere. never knew why it was so necessary but it totally makes sense now

[@valshaped]

"Is it out of line to say I love you?" No. Love your friends. Love everyone. Make stuff better with the power of finding companionship with others.

[@markfryer9880]

Hi Tony, what you are referring to as twist is what Carpenters refer to as Wind [like windlass]. We encounter the problem when installing door jambs so that the door will in theory close evenly against the latch jamb. This assumes that the hinges were rebated equally from the edge of the door and that the door itself is free from wind. They usually are when new, but once installed or if anything delays installation then anything can happen and all bets are off. When using a level you can also flip it end for end to check for any error in the level and a long level or straight edge can be used with a torch light to check that the ways are straight and level lengthwise. You would probably find one of these new digital levels to be of use when cross levelling to remove wind. Mark

[@NulledMedia]

Best youtube collaboration I've seen to date!

[@marcussho]

Thanks for the good info, funny. Keith must have finally finished one of the boats he's always building parts for.

[@justinhobbs7514]

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

[@CreaseysWorkshop]

Best video ever! Just hilarious. I actually did this to my lathe last weekend. I got it all level with the machinists level then checked for taper and it was out. I had to make it less level to lose the taper. I don't think I have any wear though so now I am confused. I will check it again I think.

[@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 !!

[@rakibkronos]

You definitely know that Tony is using Keith's words out of context! Brilliant!

[@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!!!