Lin,
I'm 6'5", too, so had to build a lathe bench to suit exactly my height! Don't know whether you are aware but the correct height of a lathe for any individual is: the axis between the lathe centres should be the same height as the height from the ground (or whatever you are standing on) to the point of you elbow when standing upright. It is advisable to get somebody else to measure you to get it right - try to do it yourself and it don't work, you can't help leaning over somewhat! This should help you arrive at the right height for your platform - before you go buying any more lovely slabs of cherry to stand on. :shock: A simple frame, topped with a board, as you mention, to exactly the height you need sounds the best answer. (Maybe your son should have a platform, too? Probably need to be a height-adjustable one for him. :roll: )
I don't think you should worry about being a 'leftie' - that should not have any bearing generally on the use of turning tools. You may just find one or two a little awkward on occasions, e.g. hollowing a bowl with a gouge, but even that may not be too bad if your lathe has a swivelling headstock. But, then, you may well find you do become ambidextrous with your turning tools - many turners do, for convenience, be they right- or left-handed.
The skew chisel is often found to be the most difficult tool to master, but once you have it will receive lots of use. Sharpening is also usually a bit of an issue when starting out. Once you have mastered it, either by reading up on it or having a demo. and then practising, you will find life becomes much easier. With a good sharpening jig exact, repeatable, sharpening quickly becomes second nature, so well worth trying to acquire one. That's far better than beating yourself up insisting you are going to learn to do it freehand - some can but some others never manage to. Do it the easy way and save your time for turning. :wink: You will also grind away far less of that expensive steel using a jig - just a couple of light touches on the wheel is often all that is required.
Once you have the correct working height and sharp tools you will soon develop your confidence and skills (we all get dig-ins when we start) and never look back - especially if you also have the benefit of Keith Rowley's book, the beginner's 'bible'. 'Pologies if I've rattled on about things you already know.
You mentioned in another thread that you are now addicted to scrolling. Be warned - turning can also be extremely addictive!! Can you manage two addictions? :lol: :lol:
Cheers,
Trev.
) provides a substantial wide base... having students of all sizes it's easy enough to put a couple of bearers eg 4x2 to raise to an comfortable height... I've added carpet tiles to mine... a little comfort goes a long way 
