positioning a lathe

[sue denim]

I am about to move the old ML8 up to the new workshop. Looking at various pictures and videos etc it would appear that many lathes are set against a wall, allowing access to one side only.

I sometimes find this a bit of a pain especially when doing a deep hollow or goblet shape on the inboard side. I end up working over the bed and reaching over to get the best angles.

Would there be any benefit in setting the lathe so that the two sides can be easily approached ?

I think that it would be easier to clean too.

I am asking as I will be building a new bench for the ML8 so some ideas would be good.

Your thoughts please.

I will post some piccies when it is set up.

Regards

Sue

 

[Paul Hannaby]

What is this word "clean"? :wink:

Seriously though, there is probably some benefit in being able to access both sides of the lathe but it is then using more floor space and if you were to position the lathe at right angles to the wall, would also stick out into the workshop so it would have to be wide enough to accommodate this.

The best solution will depend on the design of the lathe, the space you have available and how you intend to use it.

 

[SVB]

My lathe is at about 30deg to the wall for just that reason.

It is a short bed lathe thought (Vicmarc 300) so not too much of a problem re floor space.

S

 

[paulm]

I have access to both sides of mine and find that it's easier to position/use dust extraction with it as a result, the nozzle and stand are on the opposite side of the lathe. Can probably still be done without having access to the other side, but very easy if you do have access.

Cheers, Paul

 

[tekno.mage]

Having access to both sides of the lathe certainly makes it easier to position/reposition the dust extractor and any additional lights. It also makes it easier to retrieve any small items (abrasive paper, pencils etc) that fall off down behind the lathe. I have access all round my lathe and find this very useful. The downside of this system is that there is less walking about space in the workshop.

 

[Grahamshed]

Has anyone mounted a good hefty lathe on a wheeled cabunet/bench ? Would that help or cause more vibration problems than it was worth ?

 

[Alli]

Has anyone mounted a good hefty lathe on a wheeled cabunet/bench ? Would that help or cause more vibration problems than it was worth ?

I am looking to upgrade to a better lathe but have been looking at how heavy they are and how could I move it on my own if the need arose. I read somewhere about someone using jockey wheels as found on trailer/caravans. I don't know if this would work but the idea of jacking the lathe up, moving it on the wheels then dropping it down on its own stand/legs really appeals to me.

 

[sue denim]

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... shop-crane

et voila ?

 

[Jonzjob]

I have only ever had access to one side of my lathe and can't ever remember having dificulties with that. It's now directly under my workshop window and about 30" away from the wall/windows. It's the right height where I can work on spindles, bowls, goblets, etc. and if I have to get deep then I just lean slightly over the bed. No problems at all.

I wonder if you have problems with deep goblets or the like if the lathe is mounted a little too high?

 

[monkeybiter]

My Ax lathe is mounted on a bench against the wall which means all the waste etc. is easy to reach and forces me to keep the levels down [but not clean]. I really use the mobile head [swivel and along the bed] a lot and regularly swivel it out to reach into the object. I think SVB has the right idea if you have a static head.

Looking at piccies of the ML8 I think you might be best building a bench at an angle across a corner and mounting the lathe on that.

 

[drillbit]

I've never bolted down my midi lathe for precisely the reason that it would stopme being able to swing it towards me when I need to get into awkward spaces. If I had room I would definitely want to have a 'walk around' set up and bolt it down.

 

[richburrow]

My angle on this is keep the lathe moveable and use it for a while in different positions. Try out different set ups and see which suits. I brought concrete up into my shed to fixe it down to. This is fantastic, 0 vibration but if I was to do it again I would have moved it 12" to the left. Just my experiance, let us know how you get on. Rich