Proper Lathe Height
 

I'm building a table for my mini lathe to rest on and I need to figure out
the height. What does everyone recommend as the proper height?

Thanks,
Bernie

I like about 1" above the center of my elbow.

Bill

Bernie Hunt wrote:
I'm building a table for my mini lathe to rest on and I need to figure out
the height. What does everyone recommend as the proper height?

Thanks,
Bernie

I think elbow height is good, but if you do a lot of hollow turning or
even deep bowls you might consider a little higher. Elbow height will
mean alot of leaning over. Of course, if you are a "youngun", leaning
over may be no big deal!
Earl

Hi Bernie

Depends a bit on what you will be turning, for spindle turning most have
the lathe at elbow height or just a bit higher, bowl turning and you
like 3' or 4" higher, and for hollow form turning some like the lathe
spindle almost at shoulder height.
I think that your table should set the spindle height 4" higher than
your elbow, if you find after a while that it is to high, you will be
able to cut some off the table legs, would be easier than sawing a piece
ON G

http://homepage.mac.com/l.vanderloo/PhotoAlbum12.html

Have fun and take care
Leo Van Der Loo

Bernie Hunt wrote:
I'm building a table for my mini lathe to rest on and I need to figure out
the height. What does everyone recommend as the proper height?

Thanks,
Bernie

The conventional wisdom is that the centre height of the lathe spindle should be level with your elbow when standing normally with your arms by your side. Some turners find that this is a tad too high. I prefer about 1" below that level, (which may account for my bad back) others go for different heights. Only way to find out your best level is to try various options. Why not design the lathe set-up to allow you to test each level until you find the right one for you?

"Bernie Hunt" wrote in message
...
I'm building a table for my mini lathe to rest on and I need to figure out
the height. What does everyone recommend as the proper height?


Inch above the flexed elbow is good. As others have noted, if you want to
cut bowls with the tools sharply nose up, you'll want it higher, and you'll
still contort over the bed somewhat to get the proper angles. If you use
tools and techniques which allow you to do all your cutting at centerline,
your elbow will stay nice and relaxed, and as your arm is attached off your
body centerline and extended by the tool, you won't have to lean much. You
watch the progress of the cut on the other side of the bowl or through
observing the formation of the shavings. You want to "feel" the proper cut
while standing up comfortably rather than look the tool into the wood.

Thank you to everyone for your response! It looks like elbow and a bit above
is the answer. I think I'll work out a temp solution with sawhorses and
spacer blocks to try out a few heights in that area and find whats best.

Bernie

"Bernie Hunt" wrote in message
...
I'm building a table for my mini lathe to rest on and I need to figure out
the height. What does everyone recommend as the proper height?

Thanks,
Bernie

On Wed, 5 Oct 2005 23:47:41 -0400, "Bernie Hunt" wrote:

I'm building a table for my mini lathe to rest on and I need to figure out
the height. What does everyone recommend as the proper height?

Thanks,
Bernie

folks are going to hate this, but if I was going to build the mini stand again,
I'd make it tilt...
No matter what lathe height, (mine is slightly above the elbow, or wrist when
forearm is parallel to the floor), it's never the right height when I'm working
on hollowing a deep box or vase...
I usually ended up putting a 4x4 under the tail stock end of the lathe so that I
could see and also not be bent double trying to hollow it..YMMV

On Thu, 6 Oct 2005 09:44:45 -0400, "Bernie Hunt" wrote:

Thank you to everyone for your response! It looks like elbow and a bit above
is the answer. I think I'll work out a temp solution with sawhorses and
spacer blocks to try out a few heights in that area and find whats best.

Bernie

"Bernie Hunt" wrote in message
...
I'm building a table for my mini lathe to rest on and I need to figure out
the height. What does everyone recommend as the proper height?

Thanks,
Bernie


Bernie...
if you have a Workmate handy, that's what I started with on my Jet mini.. it let
me try different heights and different distances from me before I designed
something to sit it on...

Interesting idea. Do you mean tilt along the axis or across the axis of the
lathe?

Also the workmate is a good idea. Handy devices those things are. Definately
not find woodworking or serious construciton, but boy are they handy!

Bernie

"mac davis" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 5 Oct 2005 23:47:41 -0400, "Bernie Hunt"
wrote:

I'm building a table for my mini lathe to rest on and I need to figure out
the height. What does everyone recommend as the proper height?

Thanks,
Bernie

folks are going to hate this, but if I was going to build the mini stand
again,
I'd make it tilt...
No matter what lathe height, (mine is slightly above the elbow, or wrist
when
forearm is parallel to the floor), it's never the right height when I'm
working
on hollowing a deep box or vase...
I usually ended up putting a 4x4 under the tail stock end of the lathe so
that I
could see and also not be bent double trying to hollow it..YMMV

On Thu, 6 Oct 2005 22:48:14 -0400, "Bernie Hunt" wrote:

Interesting idea. Do you mean tilt along the axis or across the axis of the
lathe?

Also the workmate is a good idea. Handy devices those things are. Definately
not find woodworking or serious construciton, but boy are they handy!

Bernie

Bernie.. think about turning a deep vase or something... and getting light into
it.. also getting your head low enough to see inside....

Now picture the tail stock end of the lathe at a maybe 30 degree angle up.. no
bending and easier to light up the bottom and see what you're doing... YMMV

(now, with the Jet 1442, I can turn the headstock 45 degrees and sit down.. *g*)