Feelings about lathe rigidity ?

[Grahamshed]

I am building a cupboard affair for my lathe, All my other cupboards( for router table, mitre saw etc ) are on 100mm lockable castors. Would tho be OK for the lathe or does it need something more rigid. Castors, even locked, can rock a bit.

 

[Vic Perrin]

I would think that stability would be a problem with castors on the lathe bed. Most people have to weight the bottom of the bed or secure it to the floor to increase stability .

Vic

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

our turning club has the jet mounted on a 100mm castor wheelable platform. its as solid as a rock.

 

[Paul Hannaby]

I have a base on castors we used to use at the local club. It was never really stable enough because of the castors but I guess a wide enough base would improve stability. Some clubs I have been to have retractable castors and some just chock up the base on two lengths of 4x2 which improves stability no end!

 

[Spindle]

Hi

If you need to be able to move it then fit castors, but fit them in such a way that they are completely retracted from the ground when not in use, see Lumberjocks link.

http://lumberjocks.com/RonStewart/blog/34189

Don't even think about locking castors being adequate, you'll be cursing the decision from day one

Regards Mick

 

[gregmcateer]

Graham,
Mick's suggestion looks pretty neat - a good shop solution, though I am sure you can get heavy duty castors / wheels that have a foot pedal-operated affair that click either wheel or solid foot into place.

A guy on here has a tool supplier that may be able to help - I think this is the link;

http://www.tool-me-up.co.uk/castors-2615-c.asp

Just thought - I know where else I've seen them - hospital beds. They are very strong and easily foot locked / released.

HTH

Greg

 

[gregmcateer]

You got me started - how about these?

http://www.wdsltd.co.uk/product/4008/le ... -wds-12251

Though it all looks pretty expensive - what about the type of set up used for bandsaw moving?

 

[gregmcateer]

This sort of idea, either purpose made, or modify two of these?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/37100548 ... =95&ff19=0

 

[Grahamshed]

That is a lot of options there Greg. Thank you.

 

[CHJ]

Another option is to have two of the legs 20mm or so shorter than optimum and have two castors supporting this end.
Move bench in wheelbarrow mode into position and then wedge up the two castor supported legs with taper chocks.

This how I move my small bench around which is fitted with a router and has been used for lathe support at turning meet.

 

[Grahamshed]

That would work Chas, good idea.