I'm not sure if I'll need the stability or not, since I've got 120# of
steel tubing (to be filled with concrete for even greater wieght) and
about 70# of Mesquite earmarked for making the lathe stand, but I'm
sure it can't hurt anything, either! But I also can't afford to get
a good set of turning tools until after the hollidays

(snip)

Let me get this straight, you are not made of money, yet you are going
to make your lathe stand of $8-$10/BF MESQUITE? I have the lathe you
are getting (not a bad lathe for a beginner, I've been happy with it
for about a year). I made a stand out of construction lumber, 2x6 legs
and 2x12 top, the legs splay at about a 7 degree angle to the sides
and 5 degrees to the front and back. Tied together with drywall screws
and 3/4 plywood sides, 2 2x4 stringers at the bottom. Made a melemine
drawer unit to fit inside the base, tapered front to back but not side
to side. Filled with tools, sandpaper, blanks, etc., it weights the
lathe just fine. Send me the mesquite and I'll build you one in
exchange!
ֿ֬