Hi..
I think I'm going to give it a try..
Also I think I'm going to stretch the bed to 30".
Beef up the thickness of the head and tailstock..
If I can get .001 out of her thats good for me..
I'll keep you posted..Thanks for your input..Josh

"Dave Keith" wrote in message
news:FwMub.13912$f7.698837@localhost...
That's about my plan too, other than skipping the concrete. Again, I
think
that you'll need about 3" of vertical clearance to have room for the apron
etc, so a piece of 2" x 3" rectangular tubing would be needed. My plan
was
to weld a couple of cross members on the botton at either end to form
'feet', then take this assembly to someone with a mill and have take a
pass
or two over the top surface to ensure the ways are set on a flat surface.

"Joe" wrote in message
...
Hi Dave...
Looking at the plans the screws for the ways are placed at 1/2" and
81/2"
from both ends respectively..
I was thinking that by drilling a 1/2" hole on the bottom of the
bed,
at
these measurements, you could get a small 1/4" rachet with an extention
with
deep socket, into the hollow bed, for the 3/8" lock nuts for the screws
of
the bed..
The screws can be 3/8" -1/2" inch longer to act as 'rebar' for the
concrete.
On the bottom of the bed, thread 3/8 3/4"-1" screws into the tube to
also
act as 'rebar'.
Also use 1/4"X2" tubing for the base and 1/4"X2" flat for the feet..
Do the base as you would the bed..
Weld 'caps to both ends to make a finished look.
Any thoughts or suggestion?
Thanks..Josh

"Dave Keith" wrote in message
news:ANvub.13668$f7.691297@localhost...
Given the problems we had casting the bed, alternatives might be a
good
idea. It would also eliminate the need for the feet. I think that a
2"
x
3" would be required to get the clearance needed for the leadscrew
bearings
and cross-slide. Note also that there are several other castings that
can
be
eliminated in favor of flat stock.

I've been thinking of doing this myself to make a longer lathe (need
32"
c-c or so) for pool cue work.

Dave


"Joe" wrote in message
...
Hi..
I was wondering if anybody had built the Gingery lathe and if they
had
used alternative methods for the lathe bed.
Looking at the plans I was wondering if CRS 2"X1/4" square tubing
for
the
bed would be ok if filled with concrete to absord vibration?
I was thinking just to mount the ways directly to the bed after
scraping
with lock nuts inside.
Some have pointed out that if one needs to take apart the ways you
could'nt. But I see no reason to take off the ways if done right and
would
probably outlast me..: P
Main thing I am concerned with is would CRS and concrete would
absord
vibration and make a good bed?
Thanks in advance..Joe