How to Set Up a Lathe

Gather all the material and tools for the setup.

Slide the live center in the headstock, and the dead center in the tail stock.

Put a guide bar in between the two centers.

Put the dial indicator on the stand.

Put the stand on the carriage.

Apply pressure towards the bar with the dial indicator.

Once applied pressure, move the carriage along the bar. The gauge should not move, and if it didn't move, it is balanced.

Slide the chuck on the head and turn the screw clockwise on the head until it's tight.

Turn the chuck by hand to check that all fasteners are tight.

Put the tool bit on the tool post.

Align the tool with the dead center.

Put the material in the chuck.

You're done!