Woodfast Midi WM-305 size needed

[BoomerangInfo]

Hey All,

I hopefully have a Lathe on it's way to me this week. I'm building my own bench for it, and am wondering what height to make the bench. So can someone who has one, measure it and let me know the height of the Lathe to the middle of the Spindle?

I hear the middle of the spindle level with your Elbows is a good working height? Any other tips of getting the bench right would be appreciated.

Thanks muchly. Russell.

[Robomanic]

I hear the middle of the spindle level with your Elbows is a good working height?

That is a pretty widely accepted view. If anything 2-4 inches above that may not hurt for small work. I would not suggest above that or below elbow height. A few lathe benches ago i had mine about 4" above elbow height and it was great for visibility but the arms and neck get a bit stiff and you are not as sturdy with them up that high.

I don't imagine you will be shaking the house down but still pay attention to damping out the vibration as much as possible.

Out of curiosity is it a first lathe? Upgrade? whats on the cards?

Happy turning

[BoomerangInfo]

Yep, first lathe, and first go at turning. I'm been spamming the guys in the Pen turning forums for info, so the whole gist is there, thought here might be more general for the height info though.

I want to focus on pens & small gift items for now - boxes, keychains etc etc. I'm coming from an Intarsia and scrolling background, although no great expert in either.

Russell.

[Robomanic]

Sounds good,

Hopefully you can get a bit more of a consensus with those who prefer it higher or lower.

Spamming hey? 100+ posts in a couple of weeks, you have been busy

[BoomerangInfo]

Spamming hey? 100+ posts in a couple of weeks, you have been busy

LOL, hadn't even noticed. I'm a man of a million questions when starting something new.

Russell.

[Robomanic]

Nah its good to see, this is the place for it...

[BoomerangInfo]

OK, so I'm still hoping someone can actually give me some measurements, so I can build a table before the Lathe arrives on Wednesday? I know how high my elbows are, but I need to know the Lathe spindle height, so I can work out "Elbows - Spindle = Table Height".

Anyone?

Thanks. Russell.

[Toasty]

Give Jim a quick call on Monday if a Woodfast owner doesn't reply.

[derekcohen]

Hi Russell

I recently built this one for my Jet mini, which would be the same size as your Woodfast.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Workbench%20and%20Workshop/Lathe%20bench/Lathebench-complete.jpg

The lathe benchtop is 800mm high. It is 75mm thick x 250mm wide.

Some detail:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Workbench%20and%20Workshop/Lathe%20bench/Lathebench-legdetail1.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Workbench%20and%20Workshop/Lathe%20bench/Lathebench-tenondetail.jpg

The legs rest on adjustable thingamajigs.

My plan is to attach it to the wall for extra rigidity, and I shall eventually do so, but for now there is no need. The structure is dead solid.

It started life as a pine roofing beam.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Workbench%20and%20Workshop/Lathe%20bench/Lathebench-jackplane.jpg

Regards from Perth

Derek

[BoomerangInfo]

Thanks Derek. Nice workmanship on the table too. Mine will be cobbled together from Odds & Ends, so won't look quite so pretty :)

Russell.