Thread: Mini lathe Design

Originally Posted by Jim Carroll

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As it is only a midi lathe it does not need to be over the top in build which is why a lot of people use the gorilla stands for their lathe.
Height adjustable and easy to pack up. ....

A couple of tips when using the Gorrilia / Bailey stands at collab's etc,

• brace the upper section of the folding legs to make them far more sturdy. Either a couple of lengths of 15 x 2 mm alum or similar or a sheet of 3 mm ply etc will suffice.
• for small spindle turning place the lathe with the headstock approx 250 to 300 mm from the LH end as this will give you more room to place your feet without bumping the stand.
• use a length of 240 x 19 mm pine or similar as a shelf on the leg cross bar for a bit of extra storage.
• bolt the lathe to the stand!! It only requires two of the four feet of the lathe to be attached to the stand to prevent the lathe moving or potentially toppling over.

Originally Posted by Jim Carroll

What ever you use for the stand, have the front legs with a 5 degree angle and the back legs with a 15 degree angle.
With only 5 degrees at the front the legs wont stick out too far and become a tripping hazard and the 15 degrees at the back add better stability.
As it is only a midi lathe it does not need to be over the top in build which is why a lot of people use the gorilla stands for their lathe.
Height adjustable and easy to pack up.
Just make sure the lathe is aligned with the front of the stand so you are not leaning over too much.

Jim, Post 14 , is the finished article, but it basically incorporates what your suggesting for the Angles, the other option was I wanted some Mass too dampen out vibrations, but that is basically a little over kill, as that lathe mostly does pens, these days.
Not the best pics [emoji849], but the legs taper in from side too side an front too back, an you’re able too get up nice an close too the bed of the lathe.

Cheers Matt.

Now thats solid