Raising and Leveling My Victor Lathe

[@santopezzotti730]

Thanks I am 70 years old and just starting out this really helped thanks again

[@meboyd7796]

I'm certainly no expert but I will share what I was taught on how to level any table (machine). Find the high corner and level the other corners to it. Never move it unless you run out of adjustment elsewhere. Step 1, level the long side adjacent to the high corner. Next level the two short sides. Check the other long side to be sure. This should put you very close. Repeat the sequence as necessary until you are satisfied. I'm fairly new to your channel and have been working my way from oldest to newest to catch up with what you have been doing. This is as far as I have gotten so far. I've enjoyed every video so far.

[@TexasDellDude]

It took me most of a day to level my LeBlond 1530 and I kept thinking I had to be doing something wrong. Thank you for making this video, it has validated that my effort was not in vain, that it takes time to level a lathe properly. Now I need to make some leveling feet for my old Bridgeport J head mill and get it level too.

[@Abom79]

Yes it takes some time to get it all done right. It goes faster with a friend helping though. floridawind1 ! LOL

[@JohnKirkwoodProFoodHomemade]

Nice video as always Adam, I'm a 60 year old chef and have no intentions of doing this kinda work, but love to watch your machining vids, I don't always comment, but always like your vids, thanks for sharing and keep em coming.

[@Abom79]

I bet you want to chime in when I show off some of the grilling and cooking. One thing better than machine work is good food! Thanks John!

[@craigleemehan]

Wow! Those before and after photos says it all. You have a new machine.

[@daveroya77]

The Victor looks great man! I am surprised nobody has chastised you for having the grinder so close to all those great machines though! Thanks for taking the time to post all this great material.

[@Abom79]

It does bother me, but when I was trying to pack them shop with stuff that was the best spot I had at the time. Much to consider including tool boxes, cabinets, and other things that had to make room for. I plan to move it to the door end of the shop in the future, I just need more room, and my outside cover built so I can move the abrasive machines outside.

[@donpollard9460]

@@Abom79 The outside cover - it's coming!

[@RutherfordRyan1]

Nice new set up Adam and such a great old machine looking much brighter

[@ericcorse]

Well done Adam. Raising her up ought to help cleaning under it too. That cleaner works real well, I'll have to check into that.

[@Robert-ko6wr]

EXCELLENT video on the subject of lathe leveling! Of course all of your videos are excellent but this one take of of the mystery out of leveling the heavy lathe but works for smaller machines just as well. You are a great instructor! Thank you.

[@oxtoolco]

Hey Adam, I was feeling for you buddy. Its a miserable job going back and forth from the floor. Having your lathe at a good ergonomic height is really nice. Your back will thank you. Talk you soon. Tom

[@Abom79]

It's already been nice having it up a few inches higher Tom. Keeps me from bending over so much. Thanks for checking me out! Talk to ya soon! Adam

[@PhotoshopTweaks]

Great video! Good job on leveling the lathe. I can imagine how exhausting all these ups and downs are. Thanks for sharing. Phil

[@RickRose]

Nice to see the shop coming together. Thanks for sharing.

[@metaling1]

Thanks Adam. I was feeling your pain on not having a buddy to help out with the levelling, having done this by myself not too long ago. The feet look good. Hope you like the Victor in that spot and don't feel you have to move it again in a few days. Tim, NZ

[@RosCug]

Hey here. I'm about to introduce a new lathe into the family and just caught your video . It's not about the lathe it's about the process. Even though I'm 7 years late I learnt heaps. Timeless info. seeya

[@esoomreltna]

Adam, Aside from doing great machine work you also take excellent videos. Too bad you I don't live near by. Moving machines is one of my specialties and I have a Johnson Bar. (Prybar with wheels) Very easy to use and makes sling even the big stuff easy. All the best! Eric

[@mrmyford]

another nice job there Adam, thanks for sharing , keep up the good work regards...Keith in Swindon u.k

[@colin8653]

they look very good on the machine and it is very surprising what a couple of inches can do to make a more comfortable working height

[@JohnBare747]

With the shiny new feet on the lathe it shamed you into cleaning up the rest, good job Adam. It is amazing what a nice big honking lever can do, toe jack is nice for straight up but you can snatch that big heavy mother where you want it with a good lever.

[@jonarbuckle1560]

I love the back and forth you and tom do sorta on the down low. love those kinds of friends

[@jamiebuckley1769]

nice job on levaling the lathe and it looks way better after you cleaned it. im in the process of levaling my lathe because the transformer went in it and i had to pull it away from the wall. its under warrenty thank god it was $395 bucks. its a gh 1440 metal lathe. thanks adam.

[@bigb0r3]

Proper setup, comfort and maintenance/cleaning is an important part of machining that you don't see often.

[@donpollard9460]

I think that is why apprenticeships work so great - I never went through an apprenticeship, I wish I had ...

[@ckvasnic1]

Hey Adam, Thanks for sharing that. The Zep floor striper works well but it take paint off too if you leave it on for a while to loosen up the tough grease & gunk.

[@mikewiggins3460]

Nicely done Adam, The feet look good. I always had my lathes up against the wall. The last time I rearranged the shop I set them at an 45 deg angle to the wall. I will never go back if I can help it.

[@JerryHudson-vy5kf]

Dad gum it Adam. Now I have this urge to go level my lathe and clean it!! Thanks again for a good one. God bless.

[@Abom79]

Better get to it Jerry!

[@stephendeakin2714]

Now for the fun stuff Adam, put a length of round bar stock of a reasonable length, unsupported by the tailstock and take a light cut along it. Measure each end and the middle. This will check bed twist and bed wear. I'm guessing you will have bed jacks between the base and the bed casting to adjust the tailstock end to correct any discrepancy between the two end measurements. Nothing can be done about barrelling, short of a regrind as far as I know.

[@Abom79]

Yes we'll dig further into all that at another date.

[@bulletproofpepper2]

wow, makes that whole area brighter, may not have to put in that extra lighting. great job. at my work at 16:30 we stop working on projects and do house keeping. i'm like you i don't like to clean or paint but when everyone is cleaning as a team it's not so bad. there is something magical about staring work with everything bright and clean. we take the time to set up tools, arraigned for the next day, ready to go or put away. in the oil field other people's perception is everything.

[@Abom79]

That's the way to do it. I wish I had a shop helper at work just to help me keep things cleaned up and put away.

[@midgoog2]

It is so much nicer to start work on a clean machine. The Engine shop I used to work in had the credo " You should leave every machine in the condition you would like it to be in when you start your shift " so time was allowed at the end of each shift to accomplish this. Peer pressure soon sorted out those who slacked off at this necessary task for each operator. Cheers Eric

[@dougankrum3328]

...I have worked as 'The Welder' in 4 different machine shops...none of them ever cleaned up anything.....they complained about me 'wasting time and $' cleaning anything up in the welding area...

[@daviddominessy]

Nice and precise. Great video and thank you for taking the time to make it!

[@geoffperkins418]

Whilst you made that look easy on your own , I got backache watching! Think most of us know how hard that is without help. Nicely done.

[@duobob]

Nice job, Adam. When I leveled my lathe I used the same 1-2-3 blocks on the flats method that you did. Several people on my lathe group beat me up for that and said I should have used the tops of the V-ways. I still disagree with that idea because the flat tops of the V's are not necessarily precision surfaces and also can be collectors of grime, corrosion and dings because nothing rubs there. We think alike!

[@gizzo123us]

nice to see you giveing the victor a littel love.

[@AlanTheBeast100]

Level love is even love.

[@pjhalchemy]

Great video Adam. Could tell stories about a 35' drill machine I designed, moved and leveled so I understand the intricacy as you get close. Took a 1/2 day with 2 people but many more feet to fiddle with. Your shoes and clean up are real purdy and should be ready to make some $$Chips for you now. You may want to check her again after about 40 hours as the new shoes and location will settle a bit. Nice Job and Thank for Sharing!!

[@davidreaid5700]

Thanks for good info. I'm setting up my first lathe , a clausing 6913, and I'm to the polnt of leveling. Good video! Thanks Dave

[@stevemazingo6057]

Sweet, a Kojak with a toe jack! LOL That cleaning job turned out nice. That made me think about all the machines you see on Ebay, Craigslist etc that are dirty as hell and makes you think they are junk. In reality they may be great machines hiding within the funk.

[@donpollard9460]

Love it!

[@Buckrun11]

I just got a 12" Lufkin level last weekend at an auction. I had borrowed one when I set up my shop. Now I need to check everything again. I think all your work on the lathe paid off. Looks really good up on those feet.

[@MikeDittmanmachining]

Looks awesome Adam. I need to level my smithy up now but I've got to build a frame for the base so I can do it. Thanks for all the helpful videos. Mike

[@ChuckVanNatta27]

Let me know if you need a hand, we can swap chore for chore. What do you need for the frame, I've got a little bit of I-beam leftover that isn't too nasty or rusted :)

[@dougrundell947]

Man, I hate cleaning machines. But they sure look better clean. I just found Bartenders friend ay Safeway. That worked wonders on the shower floor. Keep up the good work Adam.

[@t63a700]

Enjoyed the video Adam. Nice two part series on making some risers, raising, leveling, and cleaning. I would not need any risers, if you catch my drift. Just a platform. Looks like the blue rags helped in the process as well. Todd

[@Abom79]

Todd, those rags are great! Been using them everyday, and yes they are perfect for cleaning. Maybe when I run low i can have you ship me another box full...:) I guess you could say we're both vertically challenged in a way. Thanks man! Adam

[@t63a700]

Abom79 No problem. I will get some more. I went and meet James Kilroy last Friday, great guy and friendly. I also promised him some rags as well.

[@donpollard9460]

It's the colour

[@holmes230536]

I enjoyed your Video Adam, even though you ache a bit it always feels good when you finish something that's been nagging at you for a long time, just keep em coming,

[@PetrusRiekert]

Looking good Adam

[@markgrevatt4867]

I was hollowing Adam but don't think you could hear me. I really felt for you mate. Getting up and down checking your levels and doing all by yourself.

[@franksalterego]

A clean tool is a happy tool. And don't think your customers don't notice. You can be the best machinist in the world, but if your shop is sloppy, half your business will go somewhere else. Frank

[@thecyclecenter1570]

Adam that Victor looks like a new machine !!

[@RaysGarage]

Hey Adam, All your hard work sure paid off, the Victor looks great and is now sitting at a good working height, good job man! I noticed the K&T gave you a little nudge at the end, I think she's a little jealous that the Victor got some new shoes and a rub down, lol.... Ray

[@Abom79]

You may be right about that Ray. It's been sitting lonely with no chip making yet, but hope to very soon. Thanks bud.

[@inspctrgadget1970]

Looks great I believe a pretty machine is either new or unused keep up the great videos

[@gwcude]

I have also found that the machinery in my shop does NOT move when I bump into it. Usually leaves a mark, sometimes a knot, often turns the air blue and that ain't from smokey cutting oil. Good job on the leveling.

[@torque350hp]

those blocks look good. Having things at just the right height is important. I had to raise a jig i work on 4" cause it made me lean over just a little all the time, i eneded up getting hurt. Now its just fine though and nice to use.

[@haydenc2742]

Now that is a nice intro song :) Love your videos, keep em coming!

[@cliffjones1511]

Great Job Adom, I like the feet & the cleaning. Keep up the great viedo's

[@robertkutz9540]

looking good adam.

[@joetiller1031]

Great job Adam moving lathe, I've gat a jack sort of like that mine is manual jack it was in scrap bin at plant some call it a fork truck jack I don't know but it will lift anything, don't know why they throw away thing like that also a 5 gal. bucket of brand new bolts of all sizes they give us anything in scrap bin we want good haul.

[@dougankrum3328]

..That yellow thing is usually called a 'Toe Jack'....lots of machinery has a 'cast-in' indentation just for this purpose....

[@donpollard9460]

@@dougankrum3328 Interesting!

[@dogbuggy32]

life is short do what you can for your self when you can great job

[@44magsw]

Nice new shoes for the "Victor", a little more fine tuning and she'll be good as new! Shouldn't take to much to modify the brake pedal, depending on the linkage! The "Shiny Shoes" make the rest of the lathe look a little dull! LOL! ;-) Now I really need to get my lathe feet done! Thanks! Jeff

[@peterccreng3343]

Hi Adam long time viewer first time comment it has been good watching your channel have seen all your clips always enjoyable to watch. As my Dad always told me (you never stop learning) which is true there is always someone who has a better way to do things. Myself have been in this trade for over 30 years now. and I never stop finding/seeing a better way to do things. Always better watching someone else doing these sorts of jobs as it is usually me doing it. Thank you for the clips. All The Best Peter. Melbourne Australia.

[@Filmemacherman]

Hi Adam. It`s a new lathe......................... Regards from Germany

[@grst50]

hey I hollered and you heard me. Great job Adam

[@sparkyprojects]

If you're going to get your A frame hoist in there, you will need to bury your power conduits in the floor Looking nice and clean, if anyone says about repainting, tell them you like the patina and the history of the colours ;)

[@Abom79]

I plan on moving the conduit lines. They will run to the back wall, down, and right behind each lathe so that it's not in the way of the rolling crane.

[@arkansas1313]

Abom79 You could 'ramp over' the conduits.

[@sparkyprojects]

arkansas13 not a good idea when you have a heavy piece of work on a hoist with relarively small casters when moving from lathe to mill for instance, it's hard work, and could overbalance the hoist

[@dinohudson1432]

You a millwright too? Done lots of this stuff in the 80's ....(super heavy crap) Loved it. It would get me away from the welder for a while. Good work dude!

[@binks166]

Always good stuff ! Thanks

[@GMCShazamataz]

Great job. Sometimes work has to take second place to make room for improvement.

[@jwdickinson643]

after viewing hundreds of Adam’s videos, older ones and his newer ones, I’ve learned that when he says “pretty dang close”, he’s probably within .00001 of his desired dimension.

[@63mrl]

Spacial awareness, my friend. Fingers, fingers.

[@jjs4x]

Thanks for the video Adam! I know it's an older one but the I found really helped out a lot! Jason

[@Garth2011]

Just like the roman days...roll it with round stock. A clean lathe is the sign of a good operator/shop. If its worth doing, its worth doing right.

[@raincoast2396]

Your Dad would be proud of how you are caring for the Victor, but I think he would still say to you 'what about paint' knowing how you hate painting! lol Paint is over subscribed to anyway. Its just to keep things from getting rusty. Besides the looking pretty factor won't make it run any better! A good cleaning looks just as good.

[@Abom79]

If I wasn;t so busy and had more time I would like to paint all the machines, but we we ain't got time for that! They still make money just the way they are.

[@donpollard9460]

Red or yellow stripes make it go faster ...

[@razorworks9942]

Look er there, got er all cleaned up with her new dancin shoes! Where are you going for dinner and dancin? After all that, celebration time! Looks great Adam!! Very nice indeed. I too hate painting but as we speak I'm refurbishing my step pulley Bridgeport, just finished the head, and I must say, it's better than most new cars paint jobs!! Nice job.

[@Abom79]

She's got a date with some work! It's always more pleasurable to work on a clean machine. Id like to see pictures of that resto job your doing. Sounds interesting.

[@razorworks9942]

Abom79 I'll send some pics to your email.

[@razorworks9942]

Razor Works Adam, Spent the last two hours trying to find your email!! Help for us dummies!!!!! Razor!

[@Abom79]

Try Abom1979 at g mail

[@razorworks9942]

Abom79 you are a gentleman and a scholar!!

[@PetterPJ3W]

Good Job, Adam

[@Lillebroor]

Great work on cleaning that lathe! I think it´s easier to work with a clean machine =) But it´s really boring to clean it..

[@donpollard9460]

It depends what tool you use ...

[@scottpecora371]

Adam: Suggestion for a better use of your time and body. Contact your local high school machine shop, or metal working program, or a local Scout Troop, or a young family member/relative that's interested in machine work to clean up around your shop once a week, or twice a month or whatever work's for a reasonable sum. They could watch and help you with your youtubing, or maybe you can assign some very basic projects they can make on your smaller machines. A hundred years ago no master machinist spent their valuable time cleaning their machines and the shop up, that's what a young apprentice was for in exchange for training and possibly a stipend. It was a good system and usually the apprentice paid it forward, just as what the master was doing usually, paying it forward.As much as you love to teach I suspect once you found the right apprentice you would find a renewed energy just as you do with youtubing. Also don't over look a young girl that's interested with aptitude, like my 13th year old grand daughter who's far more mechanical inclined that all of her brothers combined, (I'm in WA State so that wasn't a hint). Best of luck and once again thanks, Scott

[@messenger8279]

Looks good well done.

[@erichope1103]

Ceiling is done the lathe have new shoes, the AC is working:) Great shop and another great video. Like how you keep your shop so clean and tidy :) Can it get any better than this ? I doubt it :)

[@pedrosarmiento2777]

Thanks for sharing. Good training video.

[@randyweeks60]

If the neighbors throw out an old sofa with loose cushions you should grab a couple and put them up somewhere. They make the best knee pads.

[@theodorebormet1780]

ya didnt hear me once adam,good job as always

[@tombellus8986]

Hey Adam, nice job, I thought I was going to break a sweat just watching. Thought I heard your knee pop once or twice. I put my little lathe high enough that I wouldn't have to bend over at all, it helps save the back when your almost 70. I haven't forgot about making you a hammer, just been tied up lately. Maybe a Christmas gift. Thanks for the video

[@jasonknight4906]

Smokey cleaner works very good best I've ever seen

[@ScottandTera]

here is a thought use your camera focus on the level and use your phone to view the camera them you can see your level without all that up and down

[@arkansas1313]

Adam, very good job with the most important part, leveling. From my past equipment installation experiences, I've noticed that fine leveling adjustments had to be made to equipment after the concrete foundations and equipment acclimatized together, especially for equipment whose rigidity/leveling is critical. Your concrete is not freshly poured, so the fine adjustment should be small, if needed at all. However, I'd check the bed's level in 3-6 months. Just a suggestion. Think of the up and down work as excrise. For me that would have been about a week's worth! Well done! Thanks....13

[@Abom79]

Yes i am going to check there level once in a while to see if it has settled. Thanks 13.

[@scottsession7789]

Well done young man. Yep you have to do some things for yourself. Scott

[@danielwerger5641]

Great video as usual Adam, thanks...! But WOW, look at that Victor after a cleaning, it looks practically almost new....! Now your going to force me to clean my Colchester lathe, the SAIMP mill, the Archdale horizontal mill and the 18" Peerless shaper.....! The shaper needs it the most.... :-)

[@Abom79]

Get to work Daniel!

[@danielwerger5641]

Abom79 Well Adam, paying work takes precedence, so the tooling jobs for AMS industries (metal spinning) has to get done first. I got two more tool holders to do....! Cheers, Daniel.

[@DavidKirtley]

Be sure to go back in a couple weeks to check level as things settle in.

[@Abom79]

Will do David!

[@armelind]

I was wondering why you didnt use your phone as a camera/video monitor. Point the Gopro at the bubble, and sync your phone to view the video of the Gopro on it while it is filming. You used to do it to see if you had everything in the shot. Just a suggestion. I know its 2 yrs after the fact... but it might be helpful in the future... in case no one has said it already.

[@JP-st2mk]

It's a pain in the ... back but a very nice job well done.

[@kg2nc]

Wow you can see a big difference in those before and after picture. It don't look so much when you doing it.

[@lightning655]

Nice job Adam those risers look to good to be hidden though

[@bigun447]

Now 2.5" taller things can hide under there. Feet look great!

[@Helikopterpop]

When you use that jack, what if you took a piece of round stock and placed horizontal between the jack and the tower/stand of the lathe. In that case the jack cannot tip forward towards the lathe, it would just lean against the metal rod and the roll will climp up against the lathe stand with the jack. Got it?

[@stuarthardy4626]

Adam great vid as per norm I am having to go the other way with my lathe and mill although I am 6 foot tall i am now on two crutches and or personal wheels, and have to use a stool to work at the machines so I have lowered them both Stuart

[@wyrtwister4260]

So what you were trying to accomplish was to raise the height of the lathe ? Enjoyed the video . Never seen that type of lifting device . God bless Wyr

[@jusb1066]

Now you have raised victor and bought him new shoes and gave him a bath, is he going on a date?

[@Abom79]

A date with some money making jobs!

[@NolanTyrrell]

G'day Adam, You got solar panels on your roof? My workshop I tend to use machines that use up to 2hp. I have a battery and panels. And make money on feeding back into the grid. You're in Florida? I'm bit north of Melbourne Australia, so you're probably getting more sunlight than I am.

[@evanpenny348]

Love your vids, but especially love this intro music!

[@whitedoggarage]

Adam, another awsome video. Do you intend to bolt the Victor to the floor? Bob

[@FuzzyOne37]

Hi Adam, Once you got the risers under the four corners, and leveled, how did you install the other set of risers, as far as putting pressure on them? Did you crank the lathe feet down, until they touched, then slowly continued adjusting them (watching the levels, looking for changes) to get the pressure on all four feet the same? Thanks

[@miltonhooper6658]

Great how to video.

[@CompEdgeX2013]

Looks great now even with the tri-color paint.. ;-) You ever do a headstock alignment check on it? Watch out for the Kearney & Tripper!! Colin

[@Abom79]

I haven't yet Colin. We'll get to that later on.

[@CompEdgeX2013]

Cool, be interesting to get another take on the procedure. ;-)

[@stanleyg64]

Are those victor machines the same as a colchester here in the uk. by the way i like your taste in music as wel as your ability on the lathel

[@Abom79]

I don't think they are the same as the Colechester, but can't say for sure who's design the machine is other than the Taichung Machinery Works. It's a well built solid machine.

[@bentontool]

Thanks for all your great videos Adam. Perhaps you could do one on that unique moving bar you have. I have many moving bars, but yours looks better than any of mine... is that a leaf-spring welded on a pipe?

[@Abom79]

It's a useful pry bar, and I use it for all the machine moves. It's a factory built tool, i just don;t know where it come from.

[@FirstEliminator]

To watch videos on youtube is free...kinda. When I watch your videos and Tom's videos it ends up costing me a bunch of money. How? Why? Cause all these neat tools you guy use to help get the job done causes me to scour E-bay, Craigslist, Enco and MSC to find some cool stuff. I'm not saying it's you and Tom's fault, it's more the case of you guys doing inspiring work. Thanks for putting in all the effort of filming, editing and posting these videos.

[@Abom79]

It's not a cheap hobby, or trade, but its fun, and satisfying. I too look at the tool catalogs and sales wishing for more all the time!

[@hdoug5]

looks great :) at the end I thought I heard john lol

[@mfletch392]

Good job Adam its not good posture that small bending over am the same its a real pain