I have been planning to pick up a Jet mini lathe for some time, based mostly
on favorable reviews from this group. I have a converted Atlas metal lathe
which I have used for years and I love it, but I wanted something with
higher spindle speeds for turning small items. Tool King, a Denver based
outfit, had the AC motor Jet mini-lathe on sale (inventory reduction) for
$169 plus tax and I couldn't resist.

Trouble is, I don't have room in my shop for another stationary tool, so I
built a semi-mobile stand for it and will store it in a corner next to my
large lathe until I move it out for use. The stand was made from some 8/4
and 4/4 oak a contractor friend gave me. It has nylon slides on the base,
and heavy duty lifting levelers (Rockler item #81239) to immobilize the
stand for use. There is a tool rack under the deck to hold 3 turning tools
(my wife calls it a wine rack), an accessory tray, and a shelf on the back
on which a sand tube can be placed to absorb vibration. Here are some pics.

http://home.earthlink.net/~kvaughn65...mini_stand.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~kvaughn65...ng_leveler.jpg

--
Ken Vaughn
Visit My Workshop: http://home.earthlink.net/~kvaughn65/

nice stand. is it stable while turning?

Brian

The stand is quite stable with 22" front to back and 26" side to side
between the stabilizing pads. The legs (uprights) are attached to the base
with a locked half lap joint which is glued and screwed. The 8/4 oak is
nearly 2" thick and is very heavy. I will be using the lathe for small
items only, pens and the like, and anything which generates much vibration
will be turned on my large lathe which is very heavy.

The design was loosely based on the Jet pedestal stand made from square
tubular metal. My stand should be quite a bit more stable, but I don't
think you would want to turn something off-center on either one.

--
Ken Vaughn
Visit My Workshop: http://home.earthlink.net/~kvaughn65/

"Brian Combs" wrote in message
...
nice stand. is it stable while turning?

Brian

It really looks nice. I have my Mercury Mini just sitting on the end of a
bench, not even tied down. I have turned up to 6" out of round stuff on it.
Gets interesting for a while but it works.

Brian

I use a Black and Decker Workmate for my portable, mini-lathe stand.
It is close to the correct height, is very stable, and easy to fold up
and toss in the trunk. I just pinch the base of the lathe with the
bench dogs. It works fine. One of these days, I'm going to build a
shallow box to put underneath to raise the lathe a bit and to create a
place for holding more tools.

Joe Fleming - San Diego
===============================

"Brian Combs" wrote in message ...
It really looks nice. I have my Mercury Mini just sitting on the end of a
bench, not even tied down. I have turned up to 6" out of round stuff on it.
Gets interesting for a while but it works.

Brian

In article ,
(Joe Fleming) writes:
One of these days, I'm going to build a shallow box to put
underneath to raise the lathe a bit and to create a place for
holding more tools.

Or build a small cabinet with drawers to hold all the little stuff
you always waste time looking for when they are burried in shavings.

Here's a picture of the one I made for my wife:

http://www.rmwt.org/wttips/cabinet.jpg

And it too is on top of a B&D workmate. It works prefectly: With the
lower legs folded it puts the lathe at the right height for my wife. And
with the legs fully extended it is the perfect height for me.

Hi Joe, long time no see. I didn't get the chance to escape the inlaws
last time we visited San Diego. Hopefully next time :-)

bruno.