Thread: Seated Pen Turning

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But I love my Woodfast, with a variable speed upgrade from the US

Hi Toni, would it be possible for hubby or someone to mount the lathe at 90 degrees on its side and make up a new banjo to come out below and far enough out to accept the tool rest?
I am also looking at this possibility as I help out at a Day Centre that have a few people in wheel chairs that would like to do wood turning. I think there was a similar posting in the "Woodworkers with Disabilities" section.
Kryn

Hello Toni may I first say I hear you sister as the saying goes I too have had the same problems that you are reffering to including the operations and my operation have also not worked but I have had to push on with life which is how I got into pen turning. I have a chair I use to turn some of the time but also stand for very short periods of time. I have a mini carbetec lathe that I use for standing up work most of the time but have it set so there is no bending. I also have the ability to move the lathe whenever I choose to use it sitting down otherwise i stick to the other lathe where my chair has been permanently let up.
The woodfast midi lathes are great and the lathe that GPW are selling seem to be ok as well from all reports. I have also notice that Adrian from Trend timbers had also been selling lathes at a decent price. I look forward to hearing how you do solve your problems as I will be shortly having to reevaluate things myself.


Cheers Ian

No hubby changed plan and rather than a new lathe he reneging and talking of chopping the leg of the nova and make it down to level, little bummed but glad he thinking of helping


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For the the last 12 years I have had my lathe sitting on a desk with me sitting on a bar stool. The stool puts me at the right height that I only occasionally have to stand. I don't actually sit on it, I use it more for support, to keep weight off of my legs and to keep my balance. I have to use a cane or walker to get around, without the stool, I would no longer be able to do as much as I do.

Originally Posted by lubbing5cherubs

No hubby changed plan and rather than a new lathe he reneging and talking of chopping the leg of the nova and make it down to level, little bummed but glad he thinking of helping


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Toni hope they are not the cast iron legs. Ozartisan who runs Artisans On The Hill has a modified Nova stand for wheelchair bound people which is also used at normal height send him a pm for info on how it was done.

I will say when ever i sit in my wheelchair or on a normal seat to try turn I suffer worse because the logical physics of the body and position are all out. Your lower back is to far away and you compensate for it with the rest of your back and body all the way to the shoulders. This puts extra stress on areas already effected. When I use the draughtsman stool I can adjust to what ever height I require for best comfort and keeping my back as straight as possible yet still be in an almost sanding position. This is at the Nova on the stool almost at correct (well what the books say) height although when sanding I seem to drop the height down a touch.

This of course depends on how your getting about, wheelchair, walker, walking stick, as I know and others with bad backs will tell you getting up from a seated position is the hard part if your already almost there its easier.


There is hope for back injury and time rest and exercise can repair some NOT all damage. I know of a few who have gone through surgery some good some bad results.

Try things for yourself your the one who must be comfortable not the OT's idea of text book theory.

I too cant stand long so I have got my woodfast midi on a woodfast stand with the lower centre brace on the lathe turned so its upside down. I have a workshop stool & have adjusted the lathe stand down to match the stool so my legs are either through the stand or if I can I use the centre support as a foot rest
I have had to adjust my technique a little but it was either that or give up turning & my body will not stop me doing what I like.
regards Michael

Hi Wheelin, no he plans on taking off the cast legs and making new box legs. If you we're to tilt the lathe more sideways, how do you set up the tool rest?


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Originally Posted by lubbing5cherubs

Hi Wheelin, no he plans on taking off the cast legs and making new box legs. If you we're to tilt the lathe more sideways, how do you set up the tool rest?


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Near the start of the thread (post 5) I suggested you look at the Oneway and Vicmarc for ideas. I'll add to it here.

If you look closely at the link below you will see that the Vicmarc is a stock lathe but has a special stand that is setup to suit the turner and left that way. The lathe and it's tool rest are stock. The only thing you may find is the banjo, when loosened may slide towards you a bit and repositioning the switch might be needed.

Vicmarc - Wood Lathes, Chucks, Jaws and Accessories -

The Oneway lathe has a special tool rest assembly that positions the lathe a quarter turn towards you. Kyrn was suggesting the same arrangement (post 18) with the modified tool rest. If you knew the height you wanted the lathe to be it could be mounted directly to your shop wall or stout bench, if solid enough, and only need the tool rest mods and perhaps the switch relocated.

1236SD Lathe - A new and ingenious way to sit and turn!

Pete

Originally Posted by lubbing5cherubs

Hi Wheelin, no he plans on taking off the cast legs and making new box legs. If you we're to tilt the lathe more sideways, how do you set up the tool rest?


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I'll have to leave that to those who use that system Toni as I do not and having seen this on only one machine I did not like the set up at all.

Toni, have a look at the VICMARC website.

They build a lathe for seated turning. If you have a look at this you may get some ideas on how to modify a bench and your lathe
to suit your needs.

Good luck.

Hoodles!

I found a thread on an American forum that seems to be particularly relevant to lathe chair access. The Bathurst race is settling into a bit of a routine procession at the moment, so I'll see if I can find any others.

Have a look here

Edit added: Perhaps someone may be able to lend you a copy of the Dec/Jan 2012 Woodcraft Magazine (US version). I saw the contents included:
Special Features: "The Shoulder Plan" and "Shop Setup for the Wheelchair Woodworker".

Cheers
Phil

A small addition for your statement bottom of your posts thus i was beside myself my favourite position.

Kind regards Peter.

First attempt at sitting turning still got to finish but far as could go today. But I patched work yesterday and lathe tommorrow might just have to not be as fast as I could obviously grr but anyway started ImageUploadedByTapatalk HD1349665208.731854.jpg