Hi Mike, The woodturning habit has a very sudden onset and is hard to
cure. Quicker than you think your lathe will be the centerpiece of your
shop, and you will soon be moving your other machines. It will be
surrounded by a dedicated sharpening station, a table & holder for tools
and accessories, a special dust control system and by you 24/7. You may
as well hum to the tune about Tipperary: "goodbye" to router bits &
carving tools, "hello" to skews & chucks. It's a long long way to
general woodworking, but you came from there! Congrats

IOW, don't compromise your turning set- up. I think it's best to have a
higher bench and adjust the platform you stand on for your comfort.
Arch

Fortiter,