"Greg G." wrote in message
...
Thanks for the input, and do you have a photo of such a stand built of
chipboard? And is chipboard the same as OSB (they are both considered
the same thing around here). Or do you mean particle board, that
flaky stuff they build Wal-Mart furniture out of? I don't really have
much respect or confidence in that stuff either... ;-)

My former setup - still there.
http://personalpages.tds.net/~upgeor...In-the-Bag.jpg

My current setup.
http://groups.msn.com/NovaOwners/geo...to&PhotoID=228

Melamine-coated chipboard (particle board), which is what was on sale. Top
is a laminated double layer, with a piece of 3/4 birch ply on top of the
chipboard. Poplar end frames are fully reinforced by glued sheet goods in
rabbets. Dados, biscuits and glue for the rest. Fully-glued back.

The lathe is elevated for ease of cleaning. You'll want to do the same with
your mini for motor and chip clearing, though if you work from the back,
being a lefty, you probably will want symmetry, which limits the depth of
your shelf. The first picture shows why I built the new stand with lifts.
Tough to get the stuff out with it packed between and below.

You may "lack confidence" in the material, but you live with it everywhere.
Even when it's assembled fasteners only, there's utility to it. Use real
joinery, and it's incredibly rigid.

I noticed one stand touted extra extension of trestle-type feet behind the
lathe. Unless you're going to be turning in reverse, that's a waste of
space. With the counterclockwise motion, the acceleration wants to dig in
the front and lift the rear. Remember that in weight distribution.