Marking out a cylinder

I need to do some marking out on a cylinder approx 18" long and 5" in diameter. I need to end up with some lines drawn down its length that are parallel to each other and at right angles to the cylinder end. How do i go about this?

A height gauge is the ideal tool on a flat surface but failing that a piece of 2x2 angle will sit nicely along the length of the cylinder to guide your scriber

Brilliant, i have a height gauge, why didnt i think of that. Ta

Just make sure the cylinder does not roll as you run the gauge along it, Vee blocks or something similar will do.

J

V blocks? Easy! Welding set, angle iron and a piece of plate for a make do.  If I was doing it I would mount the work in the lathe, centre and use the height gauge to mark the job off the bed, done!.

David.

Edited By woody1 on 07/02/2013 00:16:51

Edited By woody1 on 07/02/2013 00:17:39

Edited By woody1 on 07/02/2013 00:21:16

Edited By woody1 on 07/02/2013 00:23:41

Woody how do you get the tip of the height gauge to mark a 5" dia cylinder with the base on the bed, can't see it fitting myself. Thats assuming its a flat bed lathe as well.

Surely the easy way in a lathe is to use a tool at centre height and run it down the cylinder as a scriber?

This assumes of course there is clearance available for the carriage to clear the cylinder..

Brian

Perhaps a key seat rule. A bit of brass angle, or as I do, a bit of aluminium angle, 2" would be a good size for your cylinder. Not sure where to find a diagram, but you used to be able to get a pair of little legs that fit on a steel rule, so that it works the same way as the angle. Ian S C