OMEX Lathe Alignment Test Bar 2MT - Test Mandrel - Alloy Steel EN31 - Precision

This lathe alignment bar worked for what I needed it for. But, I don’t have a lathe. I was using it to align two chucks on a drill press, which isn’t what this product is meant for. But it worked.

The bar is straight but there was a slight (.002) variation in diameter over the length.

Not sure why others have bad reviews, unless they have no way of verifying this bar. Straightness checked on a AA grade surface plate with a Mahr indicator, also diameter checked using a Starrett micrometer, this is very good for the price. The total runout is actually about 0.00017"- 0.0002" after multiple tests. Diameter was well within spec from end to end. It will do fine for my needs.

When I read the reviews for this bar I was skeptical. But the price was right and I thought I would give it a try and if it was as bad as some of the reviews said I would send it back. I am very happy with the purchase although I measure the TIC at .0005 rather than the .0002 that is claimed. This is plenty good for my needs. Remember before you check the accuracy of the bar you have to check the accuracy of your lathe.BTW The headstock of my lathe is an MT3. I had to grind .020-.050 off the end of the bar to have it seat tightly in the headstock.

The bar came from India. I have grown increasingly concerned about all the stuff I am buying from China which is the enemy of free people throughout the world. India is not my enemy and I would be pleased to buy more from them. It was an adventure in itself to watch as the bar was shipped from Deli then to Leipzig then to Brussels then to Cincinnati then to me in Jacksonville in a week and arriving a day before promised. UPS doesn't bring you your stuff before it is promised, that was DHL. The bar itself, very nice surface finish except for a few faint marks on the far end where a chuck bit into the metal early in the process. This I can live with. The bar, a #5MT runs out less than 0.001 on the far end, and an unknown amount of that is the lathe itself. Again pretty good and I can live with it though there is some room for improvement. For the money, you can't beat it. As for my new-found Indian friends who made and sold me this bar, keep up the good work and thanks.

Bought this despite the bad reviews. Unfortunately most were correct. The MT3 end of the bar is not tapered correctly leading to it wobbling in once inserted into a clean socket. Depending on how this would seat, the end of the bad deviated by anywhere from .001 to .005 which is basically useless. The MT3 socket this bar was plugging into was pristine with no marks or dirt. So back it goes.

I made a new back plate and mounted a 6" chuck to it. Using drill rod, I came up with .003 run out. This bar showed the same and confirmed tail stock was dead on as well.*for those chucking this bar up in their lathes. Not only will you damage the surface, it is not it’s purpose. You either order one with the appropriate taper for your spindle (with chuck off) or your tail stock. Mounted there, you can see your head alignment or your tail stock alignment. You can also mount it between 2 centers. I would challenge you to take a look at the finish of you have chucked it up. I’m quite sure you will see marring which when used properly, it will render that area, unusable. Get center less ground rod if you want to chuck it up to check your self centering chuck. I am bummed overall rating has been lowered by people using this wrong. I have put mine on a granite inspection plate, it is a few tenths at worse case on straightness. (.0003”)

I guess some people got a bad test bar or they don't know how to use and/or measure this bar. The diameter is precise to better than 0.0001", and straightness is better than 0.0005" over the entire length. I mounted it between centers and was able to align the tailstock to 0.0005". That's plenty good enough for me and a bargain at the price.