Square block material hows that aligned on a lathe?

[GeorgeD]

Oh bugger,I only need a soft metal tube near enough the diameter of the threaded rod then use a slitting saw to slice it tdown the middle. tsk!

[irving2008]

I think there is no one 'right' way, it all depends on the job. The centres approach works ok if you are trying to centre a flat end face but might not work if the item has any shape on the surface. JohnS' approach works well and i use it, especially if you want to reduce square to round or the surface finish is so poor that a DTI would give fluctuating readings. A DTI approach works well in most circumstances but involves a little more setup effort in getting the DTI out and in position, and is the only truely viable approach when you want to centre a bore in the chuck irrespective of the external shape and particularly when the bore isn't central with respect to the outside edges.

[GeorgeD]

soft brass shim

Nope,that brings up all manner of shims except the name of the item I'm looking for.

Can't find the youtube vid where the bloke propely named it befoe he used it on the lathe.

[bogstandard]

I don't know about tubes, I always cut up an aluminium soft drink can into strips with a pair of scissors, to put between the jaws and the job to prevent bruising.

Bogs

[Wobblybootie]

Would a collet be any good? (5C type etc)

[GeorgeD]

I suppose its name is that of a collet since its a sleeve with a slit in it,made one out of a bit of 15mm copper piping...very easy to do. :whistling:

Hopefully my new toy turns up tomorrow,can't do any weldin today...its hissing down here.