Setting/leveling a lathe up?

[W.olly]

Got this lathe a while back and just made the cabinet for it, this week i will be sorting a tray for it and then going to level it up properly. How accurate does it need to be, its only a small lathe as seen ( 1.5m long ) and solid cast build.

I have leveled it for now with a 1m spirit level. I see folk get machinists levels. IS that needed on such a small solid built lathe or will a good sprit level do, as in builders type ?

 

[MattF]

A lathe doesn't need to be perfectly level. Nice if it is, but not necessary. It's bed twist, when you're bolting it down, which should be avoided at all costs.

 

[My Old Landy]

I only used a builders level on my Smart & Brown. It is solid on a cast iron base. As Matt says, look for twist but if it is just resting there, I wouldn't be too particular

 

[Pete.]

TBH I would doubt that a lathe bed that stout would require it.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I only used a builders level on my Smart & Brown. It is solid on a cast iron base. As Matt says, look for twist but if it is just resting there, I wouldn't be too particular

Base weighs nearly as much as the lathe and definitely solid.

 

[W.olly]

Ah yes sorry I meant bed twist not level. I used the level to see if there waa any twist in the bed and nothing from what I could tell.
I am not sure if it needs bolting down. Although I can do.

 

[frank horton]

nn of my machines are bolted down...from a S7 to a Bridgeport.....
I move em 1 per year to clean up....