Laguna Revo 15/24 off axis manufacturing problem

[Jerry Levy]

I am curious if anyone else has had a problem with the Laguna lathe where it appears to be off axis. This makes it very difficult to turn small spindles and makes the outer edge of a bowl uneven with thick and thin portions.
If you have experienced this with the Laguna lathe or any other lathe? How did you fix it?

 

[Jerry Levy]

no video
will try again

 

[Tim Tucker]

I do not have any personal experience with this lathe - but I do have a friend with a Laguna 1824 - and he has told me that the head and tail stock are adjustable so that you can get proper alignment. Possible on yours as well...?

 

[Jerry Levy]

the laguna is quite proud of how the LIVE Center is adjustable. this is where four screws can be loosened to align the two points, the spur center and the live center. Unfortunately in my case the spur center does NOT turn on axis, rather it rotates slightly. It gets progressively worse the further from the headstock. As an example if I tried to turn a 3/8" dowel by the time I get to 9" away the dowel is vibrating so badly that turning a spindle top would be impossible. Even when I try to use a parting tool the wood grabs the tool because it is wobbling. One would expect the closer you get to parting off the wood would be smoother, not irregular

 

[Tim Tucker]

Wow...Jerry I hope Laguna will be responsive to you on making this right. I have to be honest, I avoid the brand because they have a very..."spotty" reputation on customer service. I hope they will take care of you.

 

[Brian Gustin]

the laguna is quite proud of how the LIVE Center is adjustable. this is where four screws can be loosened to align the two points, the spur center and the live center. Unfortunately in my case the spur center does NOT turn on axis, rather it rotates slightly. It gets progressively worse the further from the headstock. As an example if I tried to turn a 3/8" dowel by the time I get to 9" away the dowel is vibrating so badly that turning a spindle top would be impossible. Even when I try to use a parting tool the wood grabs the tool because it is wobbling. One would expect the closer you get to parting off the wood would be smoother, not irregular

I have the exact same problem with my Harbor Freight Lathe.. Finally (after some waiting for a magnetic base and dial indicator) figured out it was not bearing runout, but the spindle itself was slightly bent (just .0003" but even that , like with a gun, translates to considerable runout the further out you get) I can live with it but it makes it hard to do precision work (though I've found with care I can compensate somewhat) but the only fix for me , is going to be a new lathe (and this will be relegated to turning it into a drum sander most likely...)

 

[Tim Tucker]

Brian…. At least you can make an oscillating drum sander…..

 

[Tom Gall]

the laguna is quite proud of how the LIVE Center is adjustable. this is where four screws can be loosened to align the two points, the spur center and the live center. Unfortunately in my case the spur center does NOT turn on axis, rather it rotates slightly. It gets progressively worse the further from the headstock. As an example if I tried to turn a 3/8" dowel by the time I get to 9" away the dowel is vibrating so badly that turning a spindle top would be impossible. Even when I try to use a parting tool the wood grabs the tool because it is wobbling. One would expect the closer you get to parting off the wood would be smoother, not irregular

Does your spindle run true? Any problems turning a small piece with a chuck or screw chuck without the tailstock?
1). Use a different center (or turn one) in the headstock ... does it run true?
2) Maybe more important - check your lathe bed for level in both directions and in several places. A digital level is very helpful for this (10ths of a degree). You're looking to see if your bed is slightly twisted (more important than level) which will cause alignment to get worse as you move your tailstock away from the headstock.