Lathe Tool Height Gauge - So Simple to Make, but So Useful

Using this gauge is so much easier to set tool height than trying to align the tool with a dead centre point.

[@Festivejelly]

Not very precise but okay in a pinch. I prefer the lathe gauges from Edge tools, not that expensive but much more accurate than I can do by eye.

[@robkeogh4593]

Perfect first job on my new lathe.

[@frederickshipp8013]

I bought a cheap machinist square, took off my chuck,put in my center then I cut the blade off of the cheap square close to the height of the center then I ground it to the correct height on my tool grinder. It works great. I also use a ratchet in my chuck instead of the T wrench.

[@roadking52]

Did you consider a longer bolt?

[@DeenAllah-b6m]

Amazing thanks

[@robjaimiehickford4559]

We just use our 6" rulers.

[@ypaulbrown]

wonderful, cheers from the USA, Paul

[@jacquelinesears1770]

how is it that taking a stupid scale isn't every ones go to it works perfect

[@greglaroche1753]

Neat tool. Thanks for the video.

[@bubbadoolittle2812]

Very nice! I gonna make one.....

[@jeffanderson4979]

Easy. Just the way I like it.

[@garygruber1452]

What is a 'guage'?

[@ShedBuiltStuff]

Woops. Yes another example of poor education 😢 Fixed thanks.

[@billshiff2060]

Fun fact. Today it is "canon" to set tools exactly on CL. But in the REALLY old days it was to keep the tool about 5° above center with respect to the work center point for outside turning. That is really inconvenient to do in general machining so it has fallen from favor. There were good reasons for it at that time with the tools of the day. It was 5° above center to always keep a slight positive bias of pressure on the cross slide screw , to accommodate flex in the tool and holders,to keep the work away from any climbing over the tool, to better control chip flow and to counter any tendency of the work to pull the tool in(especially with the back rake used at the time). It's just one of those things we do now that are not necessarily better. Remember, most of our great grandfathers were not idiots.

[@ShedBuiltStuff]

That’s very interesting. Didn’t know that but it makes perfect sense. Thanks for sharing this.

[@michaeloscroft7840]

Easier to nip a 6” steel rule between tool cutting edge, and work piece in lathe chuck. Adjust till rule is a 90 degrees.Job done in a few minutes.

[@TheHillon]

Grate

[@ypaulbrown]

this has to be one of the best tool builds I have seen in years of watching KZbin..... very will done, Paul in the Other 'Sunshine State', Florida, USA

[@ShedBuiltStuff]

Very kind of you. Thanks

[@RicktheRecorder]

Useful, but please don't wear gloves at the lathe, if you want to keep your hands and possibly your arms

[@ShedBuiltStuff]

Sorry. You don’t know what you are talking about. These gloves have zero chance of dragging my hands as they simply tear off a section if caught. Much safer than getting cutting fluid and swarf on my hands. But thanks for your concern.

[@RicktheRecorder]

@@ShedBuiltStuff And do you know that your viewers appreciate the difference between special gloves that disintegrate at the slightest snag and those that wind your hands into the work?

[@ShedBuiltStuff]

@RicktheRecorder - yes they do. You are the exception it seems.

[@RicktheRecorder]

@@ShedBuiltStuff I suggest you have scant, if any, evidence for that assertion. Over-confidence and machine-tools make poor bedfellows. Suds should be be the least of your worries.

[@georgebell2567]

The gloves are also 10/10 on the gay scale

[@freddyrosenberg9288]

It doesn't need to be adjustable. This is way WAY overkill.

[@ShedBuiltStuff]

It is adjustable so I didn’t have to machine it to exact measurement. So it’s in fact way “underkill” 🤣

[@Supersonic_Sloth]

You may have heard the expression "talking out of your bum"? It describes precisely what you did there. The height gauge definitely needs to be adjustable. Please pay attention before commenting.

[@bobprice9244]

I do a lot of bench pipe work. I made an adjustable height gauge to mark the centers of the few pieces that I have to. I drilled a hole and tapped one side to screw the hardened pin of my adjustable square into it. I slide it across the table to make the mark. Being that pipe sizes are constant, I didn't need very many holes.