Is this one of those lathes with a rotatable headstock?

yes it is I did check to make sure that was level and it is locked down and good.

Next step, loosen the tail stock end mounting bolts and check for level

 

Edited December 7, 20205 yr by lew

sorry but end bols?

The bolts that mount the lathe to the table

OK, then either the head stock, or tail stock should have adjustments for alignment.

Might have got knocked out of alignment during a move.

Yea I checked those before anything....

Just now, Larry Buskirk said:

OK, then either the head stock, or tail stock should have adjustments for alignment.

Might have got knocked out of alignment during a move.

Larry, I looked at the HF manual and there doesn't appear this model has adjustment bolts.

 

https://usermanual.wiki/Harbor-Freight/HarborFreight12InX3338In34HpWoodLatheWithReversibleHeadProductManual723278.1452600896

Ah adjustment bolts no it doesn't I was thinking you were referring to the bolts that I had used to bolt the lathe down to the bench itself.

1 minute ago, AndrewB said:

Ah adjustment bolts no it doesn't I was thinking you were referring to the bolts that I had used to bolt the lathe down to the bench itself.

Try loosening the bolts that hold the lathe to the bench and then check to see if the lathe ways are level. Just loosen the those bolts on the right end (tailstock end)

to start with. You may end up having to loosen both ends and then shimming as you tighten them back down to keep the ways level..

4 minutes ago, AndrewB said:

Ah adjustment bolts no it doesn't I was thinking you were referring to the bolts that I had used to bolt the lathe down to the bench itself.

Lew was, I was hoping there were alignment bolts for either the head stock, or tail stock. But it doesn't appear so.

I'll have to see if that works again... But I've done that once with the lathe at one point already unfortunately.  Sadly Centeral Machinery has SHOTTY specifications for these things.  Its not right in the end.  But at some point in the future I will be getting a new lathe. 

 

Try checking the alignment with the head stock lock just barely loosened.

I'm wondering if overtightening might be pulling the head stock.

I may be way off base here, but I would start by checking with a level from end to end of the work bench, then check across from front to back all along the length of your bench.  If all that is level, then the ways should both be level.  If not, then as suggested, shim the low places and bolt the unit back to the bench.  You can put washers on top of the lathe around the bolt if it is too long or a shim on the bottom of the lathe to make the bed level.  I hope you have complete success.