Magnetic Laser Guide

[Mike Johnson]

Does anyone use a laser pointer to use as a guide for attaining specific dimensions for the wood billet?
I turn a number of wood tools that are required to be of a specific diameter depending on the tool size.
I am looking for a simple laser with a magnet mount that I can attach to the headstock and aim across
the wood billet at the predetermined height above the lathe centers. Some of the tools I turn also need
to be the same diameter along the axis of the tool, the laser would give me a target to shoot for when
turning and sanding to finished dimensions. This would also work for segmented rings needing to be
specific diameters for different sized rings.

 

[Dwight R Rutherford]

Mike,
How about this? http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=201524294327&globalID=EBAY-US
And this; http://t.harborfreight.com/1-inch-travel-machinists-dial-indicator-623.html
Replace the dial indicator with the laser.
Should work

 

[Mike Johnson]

I picked up a cheap laser with magnetic base at Harbor Freight today to test out the concept.
They sell a small laser with an adjustable magnetic base used on power saws to provide a target line.
I am thinking maybe a large plywood disc mounted in my bowl chuck with measurements marked on the disc as a target
to set the laser to the desired circumference of the billet to be turned to. I will have to see how accurate I can adjust the
laser to be level going out to the tail stock. I can mount the same disc on my tail stock and check the level at the far end
of the lathe to get it dialed in. I do have a dial indicator magnetic base, I might give that a try also.