Tailstock alignment tool

I designed this tool to line up the tailstock of a metal lathe. Tailstocks on such lathes can be set to either side of center for cutting tapers.

The tool is made of brass and mild steel, mounted on a walnut base with a mounting tenon underneath.

In use, I grab the mounting tenon in a chuck, and mount a dead center in the tailstock. I run the center's point into the small hole you see on the steel bar.

Now I rotate the chuck and tool mechanism. if the tailstock is off-center, the dial indicator will vary as the steel bar slides back and forth through the brass guides.

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