Charlie, Das bench looks nice and will be a welcome addition. A lathe
deserves a bench of its own.

I made my mini's bench high enough to
accomodate a wooden platform and mat across the sleds with the centers
an inch or so above my elbow. IMHO, most woodturning lathe centers are
set too low (or most woodturner's backs are set too high) for efficiency
and comfort.
Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter
http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings