I got my new mini lathe, 10 years ago. Owned very little kit to go with it. Certainly, no dti.........

The "only" thing wrong, I couldn't align the centres.

I first made sure the chuck jaws were running true, at quill diameter.
Slackened, then lightly snugged up, the tailstock adjustment screw. (Underneath the tailstock base casting).
Quill, into chuck jaws, at full depth of jaws. Grip very gently.
Lightly, lock tailstock to bedways.
Settle into place with a bump from lead tup, on top of tailstock casting.
Sensibly, tighten chuck jaws. Lock quill.
Settle again with lead tup.
Carefully remove tailstock, and tighten locking screw.
Four years later, when I got a dti, which was able to clock around the quill...... It was within .0005".

David D