Mounting one's lathe

[bigfish]

Hi,

I have just purchased a midi lathe from CWS at the Canberra WWW show last weekend.

This weekend's project is to build a table to suit.

I am seeking guidance on dimensions - especially in regard to height. Is there a "formula" for the height i.e 50mm lower than your elbow when standing erect, etc?

Any suggestions most welcome.

Thanks,
Alan

[Rum Pig]

Hi Big fish

I do not think there is a magic formula for the hight but it is a case of what is comfortable for you. I had a work bench already so was a matter of mounting the lathe and then make adjustments from their if it felt to low add some spacers under the lathe if it was to high make a platform to stand on I used a piece of rubber matting witch added hight and comfort for long turning sessions.

If I was going to build a bench I would go to as many lathes on benches as I could and measure them and go from there :).

Good luck let us know how you go.

[AndyCJ]

I was watching the Mike Darlow DVD and he suggests the center of the lathe is just above elbow height for comfortable turning. I'd probably look at attaching the bench to the workshop floor to reduce vibration also. Everyone says heavier is better - all about reducing vibration.

[dhurrang]

G'day Alan,

What ever size/height you make it (the bench) try to leave a LARGE gap under the bed so your shavings fall to the ground .... maybe not such a big deal with your midi ... but makes cleaning MUCH easier. :wink:

[Rum Pig]

G'day Alan,

What ever size/height you make it (the bench) try to leave a LARGE gap under the bed so your shavings fall to the ground .... maybe not such a big deal with your midi ... but makes cleaning MUCH easier. :wink:

If you find that raising that bit extra for the shavings is to much you can do as I have seen, is drill holes through the bench and then you can place rubbish bins under the holes. But just do not make the holes to big that they will weaken your bench.:)

[Cliff Rogers]

It has been covered before, I'll find the threads.

Generally about elbow height but some like it higher & some like it lower.
I have mine about 100mm (4") about the elbow 'cos I find it easier to see what I'm doing.

[bigfish]

'cos I find it easier to see what I'm doing.

Does that mean you are a blind ol' B like me?

[bigfish]

Thanks for the response so far.

Another question... How many of you work seated at the lathe?

[Cliff Rogers]

Some threads worth reading.

http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=75114

http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=73988

http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=41108

[Cliff Rogers]

And a couple more.

http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=65373

http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=64635

[Cliff Rogers]

Does that mean you are a blind ol' B like me?
I am now using +1.5 readers built into my safety glasses.:rolleyes:


....Another question... How many of you work seated at the lathe?

D'oh! I just closed the search window. :doh:

There are a few people who turn sitting down & we also have a few wheelies on here who turn as well.

I'll go back to that search window.

[Cliff Rogers]

Here is the post for the wheelies.

http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=49888

If you are having trouble seeing, have a look at this thread too.

http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=42709

[jchappo]

This might give you some ideas

My Mini Lathe Bench (http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=45716&highlight=lathe+stand)

[Ed Reiss]

Hi Alan...

Guess your anxious to get that lathe up & running!

The stands the other guys have suggested are great, but not very portable if you ever want to do a demo somewhere else other than in your shop.

This is the cabinet that i came up with for the Carba-Tec mini. Made from Maple, it has storage below for tools, accesories, first-aid kit (sorely needed by me!!):crutch:, and has a 2x4 attached under the bottom so that it can be clamped into the "Workmate". So, if portability is a factor, something like this just might fit the bill.

Good luck with your turning & post some pics of that first project from the Midi:2tsup:

Cheers,

Ed :D

[joe greiner]

Great list of links, Cliff. Thanks.

Ed, use of the WorkMate like that is also handy for small benchtop tools that don't need or deserve dedicated supports because of infrequent use; especially in crowded shops (aka sliding-block puzzles). e.g. Belt Sander, Small Jointer, maybe even a Router Table (pending).

Cheers,
Joe

[bigfish]

Hmmm... not sure about the thread title anymore...:doh:
Frivolity aside, I thank you all for the sage advice and especially all of those links. I am still learning my way around this site, so shortcuts are always welcome.

The workmate sparked my memory and I have now dug out my trustee Ryobi portable folding saw stand - very strong and quite heavy and able to fit just about any tool that bolts on through its base. I think I'll make do with that while I research a permanent solution.

I was interested to note the various methods of weighting the stands - sandbags, besser blocks, etc. That brought another solution to mind... as a former pistol shooter, I am left with approximately 5,000 lead projectiles (.45 cal 230 grain - 7000 grains to the pound) i.e quite a lot of weight and contained within very heavy duty plastic bags in lots of 500. Finally, a use for 75kgs of lead!

[Cliff Rogers]

... Finally, a use for 75kgs of lead!
:2tsup:

You could knock up a stand out of ply & stack the packs of lead in it to hold it still.

[joe greiner]

I've placed two buckets of railroad spikes (from a garage sale, of course) on the bottom shelf of my HF34706 - twin sister of the MC900 - probably about 75kg total. I haven't (yet) re-melted my lead collection; seems too MontyPythonesque. A good source of old lead weights is tyre shops. In the upover, shops generally pay a recycling fee for lead disposal, and are more than willing to give it away. Tyre weights contain Antimony for strength, but I don't think it affects the density very much. They're popular with cartridge reloaders and scuba enthusiasts as a cheap or free source.

This is probably more than you ever wanted to know about lead. Gawd help us if Harry72 chimes in.

Joe