What is the best way to check the alignment of the lathe spindle and is there any way to adjust it? Run a test indicator inside the spindle bore? I havne't bought one yet.

I'm finding a consistent change in diameter of .004 over 2.0 inches when turning a piece of 2.5" stock (unsupported/inserted full depth in the 3 jaw). I've checked the runout of my 3 jaw with a piece of drill rod and actually get about .0015 at 4 inches from the face of the chuck. This would seem to indicate that things are pretty good...without actually telling me if the spindle is parallel to the ways.

I guess the issue is between runout of the spindle and parallelism between the spindle and the ways. Haven't really thrown my brain at this one yet...guess I was hoping someone had already done the work for me!

thanks in advance