M900 Lathe on a bench?

[Redbeard]

Has anyone ever mounted a Carbatec M900 lathe on a bench, ditching the folded metal legs for something with more beef?

Cheers
Redbeard

[orraloon]

I use a wood lathe bench as when I got my first lathe I was given a copy of Keith Rowley's Woodturning A Foundation Course. He reckons a good solid wood stand is better than metal stands for most lathes. So I built a version of his bench using the plan in the book as a guide. Bench is under it's second lathe now.
Regards
John

[Redbeard]

I use a wood lathe bench as when I got my first lathe I was given a copy of Keith Rowley's Woodturning A Foundation Course. He reckons a good solid wood stand is better than metal stands for most lathes. So I built a version of his bench using the plan in the book as a guide. Bench is under it's second lathe now.
Regards
JohnMakes good sense to me. I'm thinking of making the bench behind the lathe up at (or just a smidge below) the level of the top of the bed. Might help to control the debris a little bit more.

Thanks John.

[arose62]

Ditched the folded metal legs, but replaced them with the cast iron ones.

[Redbeard]

Ditched the folded metal legs, but replaced them with the cast iron ones.That's another option but I'm thinking building into a bench would open up space for tools and supplies right at hand.

[Paul39]

That's another option but I'm thinking building into a bench would open up space for tools and supplies right at hand.

That will be covered with shavings after the first bowl. I lean toward something like this: https://woodworkingtoolkit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/lather-stand-plan-3.jpg?834cc7&834cc7

See: https://www.google.com/search?q=wood+lathe+stand+diy&client=firefox-b-1-d&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=i25CxashmAL7iM%253A%252Cd8W0SyKO2Hs4eM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kR2umPTRKsQBFs737ogjAeZTJrRWA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi0kNjDqpzhAhUwnOAKHXXlD1UQ9QEwAXoECAYQBg#imgrc=i25CxashmAL7iM:

[joe greiner]

Instead of mounting directly on the bench, I recommend setting it on some short blocks to provide access to the nuts on the banjo and the tailstock. They occasionally need adjustment to a better position of the locking handles. Also allows for easier cleaning between the bed ways.

Cheers,
Joe

[orraloon]

There are pros and cons with lathe stands. A solid top gives a place to place tools and stuff and storage under but does hold the shavings so you have to clear it off now and then. Open rail top lets the shavings fall through but no storage under and no place to place things. Either design will do the job just depends how you like to work.
I do think that a sturdy wood stand is the better way to address vibration than a metal stand however.
Regards
John

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Legs allow "most" shavings to fall through, while a bench-top permits 'em to build up.

Mind you, a good, solid bench makes for a good, solid base while turning, which is always desirable.

As you're building your own bench, you could easily combine both worlds and build dust collection into the bench-top itself... but the caveat here is that anything you drop accidentally (such as hex screws and allen keys while changing jaws, etc.) will end up in your DC before you can blink.

If you have a separator before the DC impeller, this isn't really any different than hunting through the shavings on the floor, but if you don't... well... the rattle of metal down your duct-work isn't anywhere near as worrisome as the KER-CHUNK when they go through the impeller.

The last lathe (admittedly only a mini) I built into a bench-top I simply sloped the section of bench between the leg-bolts forwards at around 30degrees, so any shavings slid out the front. Usually. It often needed a helping hand, but 'twas waaaay better than a flat bench-top. As a bonus it also provided ready access to the banjo nuts, etc.

I did have cupboards built underneath, but if I was to build it again I'd hinge the back section of the slope so I could store bits'n'pieces in a shallow recess underneath. You know, stuff like wrenches, breaker bars, spare jaws, etc. Low profile stuff. A bit like a secretaire. ;)

[Redbeard]

Separator in the DC line... Another thing to plan for.

I'm still in the very dusty phase of the obsession/hobby so I'll be making allowance for dust control in my bench but that's about it at the moment. It's pretty high on my list of priorities though.

The sloping bench under the lathe is already in the plan but using it as a storage space is a neat idea, thanks Skew. I guess the other cupboard space didn't fill up with dust for the very reason of you having dust collection in the first place.

Food for thought (again...)

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Separator in the DC line... Another thing to plan for.

:yes:

Because wood-turning creates more shavings than sawdust (well... in theory. :rolleyes: ) any DC attached to a lathe will greatly benefit from running through a separator first.

It doesn't need to be anything special, barely even a 'true' cyclone; just a lidded 44gal drum with PVC fittings in the lid for the duct-work will do. So long as it catches the shavings before they start clogging the grille before the impeller. (Or, if you've removed that already, the impeller itself.)

Catching the shavings in the drum, let's the DC do what it's designed for: being a dust collector. ;)

[Redbeard]

:yes:

Because wood-turning creates more shavings than sawdust (well... in theory. :rolleyes: ) any DC attached to a lathe will greatly benefit from running through a separator first.

It doesn't need to be anything special, barely even a 'true' cyclone; just a lidded 44gal drum with PVC fittings in the lid for the duct-work will do. So long as it catches the shavings before they start clogging the grille before the impeller. (Or, if you've removed that already, the impeller itself.)

Catching the shavings in the drum, let's the DC do what it's designed for: being a dust collector. ;)So...

While we're on the topic, is there such a thing as an efficient, compact, quiet, and most importantly, cheap dust collector system?

Hahahahahahahaaaaa

[Paul39]

So...

While we're on the topic, is there such a thing as an efficient, compact, quiet, and most importantly, cheap dust collector system?

Hahahahahahahaaaaa

If it is possible to put one of these: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lasko-20-Box-3-Speed-Fan-Model-B20200-White/42388499?athcpid=42388499&athpgid=athenaItemPage&athcgid=null&athznid=PWVUB&athieid=v0&athstid=CS020&athguid=b311c232-02f-169ba5aa9070b5&athena=true

Mounted close behind the lathe blowing out into the yard, will get the light dusty part that gets into the lungs away from you. The motor will need blowing or vacuuming out periodically and eventually the magic smoke will come out. I have picked up several off the curb on trash day in the fall, blow out, oil up and run for 2 - 3 years.

There are several threads with advice by BobL about dust collection.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

While we're on the topic, is there such a thing as an efficient, compact, quiet, and most importantly, cheap dust collector system?

Hahahahahahahaaaaa

Oooer! Opening can of worms, are we? I'll be in on that... ;)

I know many turners who work without a DC, both professionally and domestically.

Wood-turning mainly produces shavings - especially if turning green blanks - from a location that is difficult to set up extraction without getting in the way of operations.

So most of the time a DC is fairly ineffective... until comes a time you start producing lots of dust; when sanding on the lathe. That's when you really want some form of protection/collection.

I spent many, many years using a pedestal fan blowing across the work and away from me, in a well-ventilated area before I finally decided to adapt one of my DC runs for the lathe. Having recently moved sheds, I'm back to the pedestal fan for now until I find the time to set the DC up again.

I'm in no rush over this, but I don't mind a carpet of shavings on the floor, nor am I particularly worried about health risks.

Anyways,a pedestal fan is about as cheap a system as it gets! Another option is the personal dust helmet/respirator such as those sold by Triton or Trend.

Still pricey, and have a different set of disadvantages, but cheaper than a DC... :shrug: