All, or nearly all, workshop enthusiasts have a height gauge for setting the height of the cutting tool on the lathe centre, or an equivalent for use on a horizontal milling machine. Indeed a very good traditional gauge was described by the late Philip Amos in MEW issue 88. For myself until recently, the gauge consisted of a piece of stock with flat end faces that are accurately turned to be at right angle to the length, and of the correct length to offer to the tool to set this to lathe centre height. This stock piece works just fine when used carefully but it has one disadvantage which we all combat in a variety of different ways. It is necessary to get the eye lined up with the two pieces being compared. This usually involves stooping or crouching down and swinging the lathe tool holding device round so that the tool can be compared with the height of the gauge which itself is sited on a suitable, and often limited, surface of the cross slide. Some people work from the lathe ways which can make comparison easier but again tool holder rotation is often still necessary. Not too bad if a quick change tool holder is used as these hold their adjustment when the holder is swung round but not so good with the cheaper American style (boat shaped) holder which is often used.
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