Download INSTRUCTIONS TO LEARN HOW TO USE A LATHE

To turn a soft center true with the lathe, first set up the tool bit for right hand turning,
center the tool bit; then, rotate the compound rest to an angle of 30° to the axis of the
lathe (Figure 7-41). The lathe speed should be set for a finish cut, and the feed is supplied
by cranking the handwheel of the compound rest, thus producing a clean and short steep
taper with an included angle of 60°. Once trued, the center should stay in place until the
operation is completed. If the center must be removed, mark the position on the center
and headstock for easy realignment later.
Lathe centers must be parallel with the ways of the lathe in order to turn workpieces
straight and true. Before beginning each turning operation, the center alignment should be
checked.
The tailstock may be moved laterally to accomplish this alignment by means of adjusting
screws after it has been released from the ways. Two zero lines are located at the rear of
the tailstock and the centers are approximately aligned when these lines coincide (Figure
7-42). This alignment may be checked by moving the tailstock up close to the headstock
so that the centers almost touch, and observing their relative positions (Figure 7-42).