question about lathe bench

[kharkness]

I'm new to all this and recently bought a delta 46-460....I was planning on building a work bench for it but am also considering the harbor freight hardwood workbench...anyone use one of these for a lathe stand???? Any suggestions for a new guy on this matter???
Thanks,
Kevin

[issatree]

Hi Kevin,
Personally I'm a little against "Benches", as it is awkward to clean up, finding small Tools etc.
You might find some either Square or Angle Iron & make 2 Rails to sit The Lathe on. Steel is better, as I had a wooden one & it rattled loose.
So much easier, with all the Shavings falling to the floor or going straight into the Dust Extractor.
Horses for Courses.

[hughie]

Hi Kevin, welcome aboard the forum. I have used and use wooden lathe stands generally of my own design.

60" Hardwood Oak Workbench w/ 4 Drawers (http://www.harborfreight.com/60-inch-solid-oak-workbench-93454.html)
If its this design, it might be too flexible, the legs are a bit thin. Some flexibility is handy to absorb the vibration. But too much and it will shake its self to death over time.

Also theres a sizeable gap between the drawers to allow all the rubbish to fall in, giving you extra work in cleaning out the drawers often. :U Might pay to look at using some sort of mesh there if you go that way

Delta 46-460 12 1/2 inch Variable Speed Midi Lathe (http://www.toolmarts.com/delta_46-460.html)

[Paul39]

kharkness,

Very nice lathe: Buy DELTA Variable-Speed Midi Lathe 12-1 2 Model 46-460 at Woodcraft (http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2064108/26249/DELTA-VariableSpeed-Midi-Lathe--1212-Model-46460.aspx)

I lean toward the open type of lathe stand so that shaving fall to the floor rather than piling up on the bench. Hollowing a 12 inch bowl makes about a 5 gallon bucket of shavings.

I am a messy person, so my lathe bench (not purpose made) looks like the photo.

I have a saw horse type partially built from rough cut 3 X 8, mean while I keep making stuff on the lathe and raking up the chips.

You could build something like the Delta stand from 2 X 8 or 2 X 10 bolted together with carriage bolts with a shelf at the bottom to pile concrete blocks on for weight. I prefer heavy timber to steel as steel will ring if not screwed and caulked to heavy wood or medium density fiberboard.

Delta stand: Buy Midi-Lathe Stand at Woodcraft (http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2064107/26246/MidiLathe-Stand.aspx)

And: Redirect Notice (http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1143&bih=698&tbm=isch&tbnid=tBP7VhDs4Gi-wM:&imgrefurl=http://www.woodworkingplans.tv/do-it-yourself/build-a-lathe-stand-for-wood-turning&docid=dq3NV5RcSZ1nOM&imgurl=http://www.woodworkingplans.tv/images/101113/lathestandplan.jpg&w=645&h=498&ei=Fn28To-jNsnb0QHllbn1BA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=722&sig=115678233612149258692&page=1&tbnh=141&tbnw=183&start=0&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0&tx=112&ty=73)

Another design would be like a big saw horse, A shaped on the ends and the cross piece 6 inches below the bottom of the lathe. Again make a stout shelf near the bottom for weight.

Here is one, omit the casters. If you are only going to do pens and spindles casters might be OK. An out of balance bowl blank will be all over the shop. It needs an X brace on the back for stability and a shelf on the bottom for weight. Plywood on the sides would stiffen it further.

Redirect Notice (http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1143&bih=698&tbm=isch&tbnid=DVyZBCXiXMbsfM:&imgrefurl=http://lumberjocks.com/gfixler/blog/13151&docid=fpBtRLa8LqKKyM&imgurl=http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4261443244_0930a8c523.jpg&w=500&h=375&ei=7328TsHSAcfn0QHruOjaBA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=885&sig=115678233612149258692&page=1&tbnh=128&tbnw=171&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:15,s:0&tx=100&ty=65)

[hughie]

I am a messy person, so my lathe bench (not purpose made) looks like the photo.


I think I would be right at home there. :D

I agree, design your stand to help in the rubbish removal, no flat surfaces all on an angle where possible, get it on to the floor asap