I own an older 12x30 Craftsman lathe model 101.07403. I am having a difficult time figuring out a quick an easy way to accurately adjust the cross slide so it is perpendicular to the chuck. Up untill now I have just been using the original scales engraved onto the cross slide. But no matter how careful I am to line up the 90deg. mark with the mark on the carraige, it always needs re-adjusting.
So what happens is when I set the cross slide to turn down a small portion of rod, it always ends up with a slight taper. The last thing I cut had a .002 difference over .5". So what I end up having to do is keep on testing it after each pass, and slightly adjusting the cross slide unitl I have removed all the taper. But this takes a few tries, and when I move it to a different angle, I have to go through the hassel of getting it lined up again.
So is there a quick an accurate way to adjust the cross slide without having to continuously take cuts and re-adjusting until it is just right. And what I am seeing is not deflection. I am coming out less that 1" from the chuck and turning 3/4" diameter CRS taking only .005 of a cut.
Also, when I lock down the cross slide and use the whole carraige to turn down a peice, it comes out just fine.
Thanks