Tom's Tips & Tricks #1 - Quick Part Alignment on the Lathe
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- The first in a new series of short videos on basic machining tips and tricks. This one demonstrates a technique to quickly and precisely eliminate axial run-out on a part held in a lathe chuck.
Tom, I have watched 1000's of machining videos and have never made a comment. Your teachings have really impacted my life. Thank you for all that you do. Glad to have you back.
Thanks Gary
Never seen that idea used, been in engineering 50yrs! , just shows that when an engineer, you're always learning!
A good engineer is one who understands there will always something new to learn.
Thanks for the short tip Tom. There are too many on youtube who like to ramble on for half and three quarters of an hour and dont impart as much info as you just did. Thanks again from Oz.
Welcome back Tom I have never missed anyone on you tube more than you. I believe you are the best teacher ever. Thanks for giving up your time for all of the viewers
Thank you. It's good to know I'm doing something right.
Tom
As I was told by a very smart teacher, It is not the quantity, but the quality that is important. Tips from you will be well received. Do what ya can at your pace. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Regards, greg
Thanks Greg. When I was teaching, it was 1/4 theory, 3/4 practical experience.
Tom
Unless there's an order for milions of small parts
Yes! Glad to see you posting again. Common sense isn't as common as we wish. I've learned a lot from your channel and I've been watching and waiting for your new post. I look forward your future posts. Thanks for your good work.
Thanks for watching
Tom
Thanks for your work. You and the other machining mentors on TH-cam have reignited my flame for machining.
Thanks for watching, Sal.
It's great that you are back. You pick the format, and we'll be happy.
Thanks
Good to see you making vids again. Also, you are one who answers questions, a great plus for us viewers.
I wanted to pass on another tool I saw on youtube posted by Doubleboost. He press fit a quality ball bearing say 1.5" on a shaft about 1/2" dia and 5~6" long on one end. Chucked it up in the mill and with the mill running, slowly ran it against the part until outer race stopped turning. Knowing the bearing radius 3/4" he found the edge of the part right off.
It sounds like that would work fine if you had the room, but 'm still partial to my edge finder (old habits) :)
Another thing that works well is a dowel pin. Just looking at the gap between the pin and stock, and compensating for the diameter gets you incredibly close.
Tom
You and this old tony are at the top of my list. Glad to see a new video- thank you
Tony is a good guy.
A ray of sunshine in a world of TH-cam babble.
Glad to see to back Tom.
Been called a lot of things, but never sunshine. :)
Welcome back, we'll be happy to watch whatever you have time to put together for us.
Thanks Tom
Glad to see you back! I'm for whatever format gets you making videos again.
Thanks Matthew
I know I am pretty randomly asking but do anyone know of a good site to watch newly released series online ?
@Paul Jamir i would suggest Flixzone. You can find it on google :)
@Patrick Enzo definitely, I have been using FlixZone for years myself =)
@Patrick Enzo Thanks, signed up and it seems like a nice service :) I appreciate it!!
What a time saver and I'm glad your back Tom!.
Thanks Michael
Great to see you back. Any info that you can pass onto us is greatly appreciated. Always ready to learn something new.
Thanks Tom
family and life quality with your family is paramount but im really glad you still find time to educate the machinist audience as im a novice home hobbyist machinist and really enjoy your input. thanks tom.
Thanks Jamie
Glad you are back! Any knowledge you want to share is great.
Thanks Mike
Tom I am just beginning to get into working with a mini lathe & mini mill as a supplement to my sculpture work. Your videos are among the best I've found for helpful education in this skill area. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
Thank you for watching
You're one of the first content creators I actually subscribed to, mainly because I could tell that you'd be a fount of good machining information for me down the road!
Wow, I made #1? :)
Thanks for watching.
Tom
Good to see you back, I really benefit from your videos. For what its worth, I think the short, specific tutorials is a good idea. welcome back!
Thanks, but it's been a couple of years since I've made any videos. I had planned to start up again, post retirement, but life just threw me a hell of a curve ball and took one of my sons. Not sure what the future will bring at this point.
Tom
Hi Tom, I used this tip this morning and it worked so well - thanks for sharing.
Like everyone, I'm glad to see you back. I like the new format, all new tips & tricks are most welcome.
Thank you
Thanks Tom, glad to see you back!
That's a technique I knew, but I'm sure that many other people haven't come across it yet, and it's a good one. Short one-topic videos like this are just fine.
Thant's what I figured, but this one was simple for me. There will be much to come that isn't so well known. Even this video took me three hours by the time I reaquainted myself with the audio and video hardware, software and editing procedures. Not to mention shooting it twice to get it right. :)
Tom
It occurred to me at dinner that you could do one on why you maybe shouldn't use this technique on a warped part: you will only true up the high spots and not the average for the plate. I've never seen anyone mention that little gotcha.
5min or less vids are my attempt these days. Glad to see you putting out new content Tom.
Thanks Steve
This is a brilliant trick. Thanks for sharing your wisdom! Now if only you had a trick to get back all the time I've spent doing this tapping a part around and checking with an indicator over the years...
It's definitely a time saver.
I am glad you're back Tom I enjoy all your videos I have learned a lot
Thanks Bill
Nice project idea. Thanks for sharing and glad to see you're back. I like the format too.
I think I'm going to like it as well, Larry.
Thanks for watching.
Tom
great tip, now I'm wondering why i never thought of it, I've been tapping motor endshields and the likes, true alot this is gonna save me alot of time😀
just want to say that I've learnt alot from your videos, of all the youtube machinists i find your approach to be the most practical and common sense. anything you do find the time to upload is appreciated
Thanks Ben
I've watched all your videos at least once and will continue to watch for new ones. Know you got a lot of stuff in your noggin that I'd like to have in mine and small doses might be even better. Definitely better than nothing. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience with us.
You know that's like 25 HOURS of video, right? :)
Thanks for watching.
Tom
I don't watch much TV anymore. My biggest problem these days is tearing myself away from youtube so I can actually do something. Just wish it had been around when I was much younger.
Great tip, Tom. Thanks for sharing and welcome back.
Thanks for watching, Lyn.
Glad your back and doing well.Thanks for making good videos.
Thanks for watching
So excited to see you back makig videos. Ive learned a lot from your previous. Thanks and glad your back!
Thanks
Glad you're back. I have missed your videos, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching
Nice to have ya back! Neat little trick, simple and effective, surprisingly so. Thanks.
Thanks!
Yes, it's pretty amazing how well it works.
Tom
Thanks Tom for the tip. I've never seen it before and love it's simplicity.
This is amazing. Why has this eluded me for this long ? Thank you 🙏🏼
Hey Tom, thanks, glad you're back! Nice tip! Take care!
Thanks Bob
Pretty slick , I like your simple approach to solving problems . Keep the videos coming & thank you
I've been wondering about you. Glad to hear about your new plans. I fully support quick tips, as I'm usually only able to watch long format stuff while multitasking, so then I don't pick up as much. :)
Thanks Joe. Multitasking is my life as well.
Tom
I watched all of your videos, they are very educational and useful for beginners especially on the safety.
That is good to hear. Thank you for watching them.
Tom
This is such a simple and quick technique (once the tool is made) AND it will get me making something useful. Got my first lathe so very keen to watch your other vids Tom, THANK YOU!!
Glad you enjoyed it
Very Glad to see you back! Whatever suits you... Keep the info coming...
Thank you
Another Tom video!!! Thanks for the knowledge Tom. It's always appreciated.
Thanks Aaron
Great to see you back! Nothing but great info packed into each and every video!! Thank you!
Thanks Jason
Excellent, keep them quick 10 minute videos coming, really helpful to us newbies.
Quick and hopefully useful.
Thanks,
Tom
If I could like this twice I would. Great to hear from you again !
The second you pulled that out I was like,no shit!...Iknow exactly what he's going to do! Honestly,thank you very much..
I'm relatively new and I have learned a lot from you I really appreciate the knowledge that you are sharing. Thank you
That is good to hear.
Thanks for watching.
Thanks Tom! Superb lathe you got there. I have a Hardinge Chucker that I'm in the middle of setting up in my garage.
Thanks.
Hope you have lots of tooling for that chucker, because it doesn't come cheap.
Tom
Great to see you back! I made one of those a while ago, but never thought to put an indicator on a part after using it.
I have to say I was a little surprised to see how accurate it is.
Thanks. I was actually a little surprised myself, but tried it several times with similar results.
Tom
Good to see that you're back! Your videos are always informative and helpful.
Thanks William
good to see you back Tom...keep them coming
Sounds like a plan
glad to see you back Tom. Great tip. Fowlerville Mich
Well, not really back. I retired in June and am working out the details in my new lifestyle. Hope to get back to the videos in earnest, soon.
Tom
I've also been looking for you Tom! Glad you're back! Great tip and great video! Thanks
Thanks David
Glad you are back! Quality videos take a ton of time to make.
I hope this new format is something you enjoy. Chris
I'll pick up the tutorials again once I retire, but for now, this will be the new format.
Thanks for watching,
Tom
Thank you Tom!!! Very great idea for a quick project.
Thanks Rolando. I don't use it a lot, but when I do, it's pretty handy.
Tom
Awesome Tip Tom, glad to see you back!
Thanks for watching
I'm happy to see you back, and I like this format.
Very nice pleased to see You back
Thanks John.
Beyond helpful and more than effective! Thanks a ton!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I've learned a lot from your videos but I can see how making them can be a real drain on time spent on work or the family.
I hope to retire later this year, so that will take one factor out of the equation. :)
Thanks for watching.
Tom
Welcome back, was worth the wait.... Great little trip (Trick / tip combo ). Thanks.
Thanks Pete
We missed you a lot. Glad to see you back. Anything you want to do is fine with me.
Thanks Bill
Hello Tom, Great to see you again buddy, and love the new format! Great tool tip, I use my skateboard wheel bearing version, (not as pretty as yours) all the time and it works like a charm!
Best Regards,
Ray
Thanks for the video , glad to see you back .
Thanks for watching, John.
Short videos are a great idea,so helpful
Yet another good video! Nice to "see" you again. And, thanks for sharing.
Thanks Jim. It's good to be back.
Hey Tom, good video. First thing I noticed: no noise!! Glad to see you finally beat it.
On the video format and the time it takes to make and produce, I think a lot of the guys overdo it. If you were to just point a camera at that part with the pusher bearing and record whatever you did to make it, it should be plenty good. Get a remote start/stop button to make your cuts on the fly and don't stop to explain what you're doing. There's a fellow machinist here on TH-cam that hasn't shown his face or uttered a single word ever and his videos are extremely popular. After you're done recording, play it back on your computer and overdub a line or two of what you're doing in either speech or text on the screen.
If someone needs further explanation or one of your snazzy, Engineering-class drawings, well that's what the comments here are for. Either you or some of the other skilled machinists watching your videos can help out.
Bottom line, I rather see a raw video of a part being made than none at all, or have to wait months until you've had enough time to make a big production out of one. Just my 2 cents. Cheers.
The sound on this video was entirely through my lapel mic. I totally removed the audio track from the video, which took out the background noise. That seems to work pretty well.
Pointing a camera and letting it run sounds like a good idea, but in reality it just doesn't work. Various camera angles and close in shots are necessary for the viewer to see what's going on. And explaining what's going on in real time is teaching, hopefully something that sets my channel apart from the rest.
The tutorials are not gone, just on leave for a while. I hope to retire in the very near future and have all the time that I need. :)
Thanks for watching.
Tom
Great to see you back! Keep the tips coming!
Thanks Mark
Made one last year and love it! thanks for the vid, nice to see you back.
Thanks
Glad you're back Tom!!
Thanks Robert
Thanks Tom, I always enjoy you lessons, you are a great inspiration!
Gene
Thanks Gene
nice to see you back Tom. I have been having the same problem getting videos out ;) .
Thanks, it's good to be back.
I hope to retire later this year. That should take care of the time issue. :)
Tom
Glad you're back. Thanks for posting.
Thanks!
Yeah, Tom's back! I don't know why this took 7 days to pop up in my feed. I followed some other youtubers advice and unsubscribed then resubscribed and enabled notifications so hopefully that does the trick.
The YT people don't know when to leave good enough alone and are constantly changing things. I'm still struggling with the comment changes. Hope you get it all straightened out.
Tom
Good to see you back,,, at whatever time you have available! Thanks Tom... :o)
O,,,
Thanks O
Terrific video, Tom. Another tool to add to my build list.
Thanks Kevin
We called it a put on tool hence one can use it to move metal to one edge or another if one goes under or over size and many other uses ! Thank You thumbs up !
Thanks for the short format. I was just mentioning to another TH-cam creator that shorter videos are better for my consumption.
There is some ideal length to align with the average TH-cam viewer. I can't remember what it is, but it isn't very long.
Tom
As others have said - great to see you back. Personally I much prefer the shorter vids, so welcome your decision very much. Regards, Alasdair
Thanks
I like short, single-topic videos like this!
Me too Brian
haleluja, tom is back!
good idea to make compact movies. there s so much out there, everybody should condence a little
looking forward to new stuff.
Thanks Simon
hi tom, i struggle mostly with finishing lathework. making it look good while maintaning dimensions.
any tips on that would be verry welcome.
thnx
You have to realize that whenever the chip breaks, it's going to leave a mark in the finish. Leaving at least .005" for the finish cut will help maintain a steady chip throughout the cut. That might be a good subject for a five minute video.
Tom
very good method of aligning!
glad to see you back,
-toly
Thanks toly. Good to hear from you.
Tom
Glad to see you back Tom. I use your website and videos frequently and am referring them to others all the time. Any way you can share your knowledge and experience is appreciated. I have an AML-618 lathe at the shop, which is a knock off of your Hardinge. I want to build an indicator holder like what came with the Hardinge lathes. Any tips or photos would be appreciated.
I'm making a note, Bill (literally) to measure up the bracket. Send me your email address through my website.
Tom
Nice to see you back!
Thanks!
I was wondering about you ! Glad your back.
Good to be back, Danny.
Very cool Tom, Thanks for all your time.
Tom, Sure am glad your back!! Great tip for a newbie like me too. Thanks for sharing.
Joe
Thanks Joe
You got a new subscriber with this little tip good stuff keep it up I might learn a thing or two.
It's never too late to learn a thing or two. :)
nice to see you back and nice info.
I will watch any and vids you decide to make Tom ! I sure need to make this pusher tool man..
Thanks Shawn
Thank you for another tip. Doubleboost makes and uses a similar tool. He mounts a bearing on a rod and then brings it in at a right angle rather than parallel as Tom's tool does.
I've used the Doubleboost version to bring slightly longer items into alignment as well, pushing against the side instead of the face.
I haven't heard from John in a while. I'll have to check up on him.
Tom
I've been planing to make one of these now for I don't know how long, I already have the bearing set aside. Thanks for the video and thanks for the kick in the but!!!
We all need them once in a while. :)
Great tip, thanks for your effort.
Thanks David
Hoping you return soon Tom. I put this tip to good use and made the tool. Great idea! Thanks.
It's a pretty handy tool to have in the box. I just used mine the other day.
Tom
And someday I'll have a lathe to use it on! For now I'm doing the work on my mini-mill. Kind of a poor man's lathe, but it works to a point. Nuthin' fancy.
Simple, cool idea proven in action. Thanks!
Good tip, seems to work great. I'm going to make one of those.
Glad to see you back
Thanks
welcome back sir! looking forward to learn from you!!
Thank you Ian
Welcome Back Tom.
Thumbs up.
Thanks