This is my first post here. I've haunted rec.woodworking for years
though.
I have a cheap lathe I'm learning to use. I have several books from
the library which are a big help but none mention the correct height
for the spindle. From the pictures it appears that somewhere around
elbow height is right? Mine is about 6" below my elbow.
Am I worrying about nothing or should I raise the lathe?
Thanks.
Art

Artemus wrote:
This is my first post here. I've haunted rec.woodworking for years
though.
I have a cheap lathe I'm learning to use. I have several books from
the library which are a big help but none mention the correct height
for the spindle. From the pictures it appears that somewhere around
elbow height is right? Mine is about 6" below my elbow.
Am I worrying about nothing or should I raise the lathe?
Thanks.
Art



Just went out and checked--mine is exactly tip of elbow height when
my elbow is flexed. It was initially a little low and I screwed the
legs to two 2 x 4's (going front to back) then glued the 2 by's to the
concrete floor using silicone caulk. It can still flex some with large
unbalanced loads but does not walk across the floor.

You might try two 4 x 4's instead and see how it feels. If you turn
stooped over it is more tiring.

Welcome to woodturning.

--
Gerald Ross

In just two days, tomorrow will be
yesterday.

Gerald is right, you need to raise your lathe to where the spindle is at the
point of your elbow when your arm is bent. As Gerald also said, welcome to
woodturning - do yourself a huge favor and find a woodturning group to be a
part of. Mine is 100 miles away, but the monthly drive is well worth it.

Deb




Artemus wrote:

This is my first post here. I've haunted rec.woodworking for years
though.
I have a cheap lathe I'm learning to use. I have several books from
the library which are a big help but none mention the correct height
for the spindle. From the pictures it appears that somewhere around
elbow height is right? Mine is about 6" below my elbow.
Am I worrying about nothing or should I raise the lathe?
Thanks.
Art

On 7/28/2011 2:57 PM, Artemus wrote:
This is my first post here. I've haunted rec.woodworking for years
though.
I have a cheap lathe I'm learning to use. I have several books from
the library which are a big help but none mention the correct height
for the spindle. From the pictures it appears that somewhere around
elbow height is right? Mine is about 6" below my elbow.
Am I worrying about nothing or should I raise the lathe?
Thanks.
Art



others will say "at elbow height" - but if you are reasonably
comfortable with it where it is, don't worry about it. Raising it up
won't do much to help you learn, but it could help your back not ache.
What's more important is to find lots of cheap wood and make stuff so
you can decide if you like this hobby or not.

--
www.wbnoble.com

On Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:57:15 -0700, "Artemus"
wrote:
Find what's comfortable for you..
I set mine up so that when my elbow is at a little less than 90
degrees i can hold a chisel in my hands and it's cutting edge is
slightly above center on the spindle..

This is my first post here. I've haunted rec.woodworking for years
though.
I have a cheap lathe I'm learning to use. I have several books from
the library which are a big help but none mention the correct height
for the spindle. From the pictures it appears that somewhere around
elbow height is right? Mine is about 6" below my elbow.
Am I worrying about nothing or should I raise the lathe?
Thanks.
Art

"Artemus" wrote in message ...
This is my first post here. I've haunted rec.woodworking for years
though.
I have a cheap lathe I'm learning to use. I have several books from
the library which are a big help but none mention the correct height
for the spindle. From the pictures it appears that somewhere around
elbow height is right? Mine is about 6" below my elbow.
Am I worrying about nothing or should I raise the lathe?
Thanks.
Art


Thanks for the responses. I'll play around with the height and
see about any local turning clubs.
Art