Trueing stock

Problem: To true round stock in a three-jaw lathe chuck when extreme accuracy is not required usually means tapping the workpiece while the lathe is turning.

By Staff September 1, 1998

Problem: To true round stock in a three-jaw lathe chuck when extreme accuracy is not required usually means tapping the workpiece while the lathe is turning. Is there a simpler way?

Solution: Snug the workpiece in the chuck and rest a wood block (large enough so the tool bit does not hit anything) on the compound as shown in the sketch. Turn on the spindle and start cranking the crossfeed in. The workpiece acts like an edge finder and trues up easily. Stop the lathe and securely tighten the chuck for machining or center drilling.

Contributor: Douglas B. Bett, Senior Engineer, Machine Parts Div., Office Machine Group, Ricoh Electronics, Inc., Irvine, CA; 714-756-3005