Seated Turning

My balance is getting pretty bad and my left knee is shot so where practical I'm incorporating as much seated woodworking as I can.

Wood Turning
I'm pretty new to wood turning but I'm lucky enough to have 2 lathes, a variable speed HAFCO full size and an old chinese made pipe bed lathe that uses belt changes for speed. I'm thinking about setting up the older lathe on top speed for smaller turning like pens. I think I should be able to do that seated.

Does anyone have any thoughts/experience with turning bigger stuff (than pens) while seated? I see some difficulties in getting smooth cuts and consistancy.

Any thoughts welcome.

I could see it being difficult for some cut types and tools, particularly a skew chisel. Body positioning and angle to the cut is critical for the skew.

For a lot of stuff, I could see it being ok, as long as you got the height right.

I'd consider a high stool with wheels so that you were sort of "partially" seated and you still had mobility by moving your self around through the use of your legs. Not sure if that's an option, but it might be worth considering.

Cheers,
Luke

Video discussing this:
YouTube

UKworkshop.co.uk Sit down lathe? : Wood Turning - Lathes - UKworkshop.co.uk

Sit down Lathe Stand | The International Association of Penturners

More links if you Google "sit down lathe" or "wheelchair lathe"...

I do most of my turning seated (wheel chair.) an adjustable height and tiltable lathe stand makes it quite simple. You just have to be prepared to cop a lap full of shavings but good dust extraction helps to keep it to a minimum. A leather apron with no pockets just needs a quick flap to put the build up on the ground. My frame is made from 100x100 SHS steel , Two inverted T's with an I beam stretcher at the base. An adjustable height bench made from 50x50steel angle supports the lathe whichis suspended between the two uprights byway of 25mm dia pivot bolts. A series of holes up the posts allows for height adjustment. A car jack is placed on the I beam and engages with the underside of the lathe bench. The lathe can then be raised and lowered by the jack then tilted to the desired position. All this can be done from a seated position.

I know this is an old thread. Parkinson's. So motor skills impacted.
Could anyone offer thoughts etc on tool selection, especially due to using them seated, eg handle length, shafts length.
Does seated require different techniques or tool presentation issues.
Mention of dust shavings problems has proposed some issues too.
Any advice greatly appreciated
Lyle

I use the same tools be it sitting or standing. I prefer longer handles rather than short but that is just a personal thing. Tilting the lathe towards you makes sitting and turning much easier but again that is a personal thing. I know a lot of turners who leave there bench level and sit to turn.
One concern I would have for you is how your eye to hand coordination has been affected and also hand control. Both are required or things can become quite dangerous.

Not me rustynail. A friend of mine. I like the idea of a height adjustable swivel stool.hand/eye coordination is OK as far as I can tell.
The main issue is unsteadiness on his legs.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigBloke

My balance is getting pretty bad and my left knee is shot so where practical I'm incorporating as much seated woodworking as I can.

Wood Turning
I'm pretty new to wood turning but I'm lucky enough to have 2 lathes, a variable speed HAFCO full size and an old chinese made pipe bed lathe that uses belt changes for speed. I'm thinking about setting up the older lathe on top speed for smaller turning like pens. I think I should be able to do that seated.

Does anyone have any thoughts/experience with turning bigger stuff (than pens) while seated? I see some difficulties in getting smooth cuts and consistancy.

Any thoughts welcome.

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I would consider lifting platform. To lift you up and down to the hight you need. MHAproducts got some Scissor Lift Trolleys, with a bit of modification you onto it. ))
Got one my self through NDIS due to lost my left arm recently.
Tried my old Lather with one hand and nearly finished my self in the head.:) Sold the maschine. Waiting for my prosthetic arm with the hook as a tool of my live. ))