Lathe height question

[David Bradshaw]

I have a question about lathe height. I've read that the centers should be approximately your elbow height so that the forearm is bent about 90 degrees. My elbow is around 45" the lathe centers are 42". My question is when I pour the concrete to level the area where the lathe will sit should it be 3" thick to bring the centers to 45 inches?

The lathe, by the way, is a 1962 J-170 that I've been rebuilding over the past several months.

 

[Paul Grenier]

Elbow height is what seems to be the norm for height. You posted your question in the For Sale forum, so that's limited responses.

 

[David Bradshaw]

Elbow height is what seems to be the norm for height. You posted your question in the For Sale forum, so that's limited responses.

Thanks, didn't realize I posted in for sale I'll move it.

 

[Dale Brugger]

I wouldn't want a "step" in the way of my feet. Why not just level the entire area including where you will stand. Then you can raise the lathe if needed using precast pavers. Better yet, if you're having concrete delivered make up some forms and make your own blocks to the size you need.

 

[David Bradshaw]

I wouldn't want a "step" in the way of my feet. Why not just level the entire area including where you will stand. Then you can raise the lathe if needed using precast pavers. Better yet, if you're having concrete delivered make up some forms and make your own blocks to the size you need.

It's in my basement shop and I'm figuring on concrete only where the cabinets sit

 

[Doug Freeman]

Elbow height is the “rule of thumb”. I find it works well for spindle turning. A couple inches lower works better for bowl turning.

 

[John Torchick]

Can't help with your question as there are a variety of answers. FWIW, my lathe is ab it higher than elbow height but it's comfortable for me. I do want to see photos of the rebuilt lathe.

 

[Brian Gustin]

there's no hard and fast rule to it.. my suggestion would be to see how comfortable you are (assuming you already have lathe set up and working) , and try it at different heights - You can always add riser blocks to the stand (or bench) , or a step/stool/platform to stand on to adjust lathe height til you hit that "sweet spot" where you feel most comfortable .. the "elbow height" is pretty much a rule of thumb.. but it can vary, all depends on your comfort level.. generally the height should be such that you aren't hunching your shoulders to make a cut , or stooping over.. both which can lead to aches and pains after a long day of turning.. if you're usually turning with scrapers (tool at right angles to rest), lower lathe height may be more comfortable.. if you are using long handled/ big tools and want the full range (I.E. shear scraping with a 5/8 ellsworth gouge), then you might want lathe to be a bit higher... and so on..
Just my opinion .. I'm no expert..

 

[hockenbery]

Elbow height is starting point. What is comfortable for you.

the most important thing is a height that lets you stand with your back straight.

people who do a lot of hand hollowing on the outboard side of their lathe usually like a the spindle well above the elbow.
people who do lots of spindle work often like the spindle well below the elbow.

 

[Roger Wiegand]

I find that I've been raising both my benches and my lathe as I get older. Less back pain. I've frequettly turned on lathes that felt too low, I've never really turned on one I felt was too high, so I may not be there yet. I was in a class a while ago with a fellow who was 6'8', they put his lathe up on huge blocks, I should have given it a go.

 

[Al Chavez]

Newbie here but I wanted to share this.
I have my lathe at elbow height and it works pretty well for me at 42 inches. Only when I am hollowing bowls or vessels after sliding the headstock toward the end (like Al Hockenbery describes in his reply above) do I find myself thinking I wish my lathe was higher. I have found my self bending over to look into vessels when hollowing. It occurred to me yesterday to use a tall stool at the end when hollowing. The stool I have allows me to sit/squat with both feet on the floor and to quickly and easily step back up. I can adjust my working height by around 4 or 5 inches and it would be easy enough to raise or lower that if necessary. This way I can sight down the center of the vessel and keep my back much straighter. This is a new and ongoing experiment for me. So... elbow height for exteriors and spindle work with the option of adjusting MY height when working outboard.
Al in Texas

 

[Randy Heinemann]

I'm assuming that your lathe can't be adjusted up or down? I have just completed research and purchase of a new lathe. One of the problems I had was the reverse of yours. Some lathes, like the Powermatic 2020B have a minimum height of 44", which at least 1 1/2" too high for me. All lathes, though seemed to be adjustable to at least 45" to the spindle center either with adjustable feet or a combination of feet and risers. I think adjusting the lathe would be preferable to pouring a raised slab around for the lathe to sit on. If your lathe stand isn't adjustable maybe you could attach either hardwood or metal risers to the bottom of the stand legs. Or, alternatively, find some way to attache feet with threaded rods to allow the adjustment. I would definitely not want to have to keep in mind that the lathe is on a pad a couple of inches higher than my floor.

 

[egsiegel]

Elbow height is the standard....I prefer mine a little lower.
Are you comfortable where it is? Does your back hurt?

 

[William J Smith]

Okay, guys. Elbow height — is that measured at the bottom of the elbow or the crease of the elbow? My spindle center line is about level with the crease of the elbow. I find that I can accommodate different center lines by how I adjust the top of the tool rest. When I‘m in a class or at a friend’s workshop where the lathe centerline is higher or lower than my own, I adjust the tool rest to accommodate. Maybe if I spent 8 - 10 hours a day on the lathe, I’d be more sensitive to centerline height, but my 71-year-old body won’t tolerate standing for that long.

 

[Brian Gustin]

Okay, guys. Elbow height — is that measured at the bottom of the elbow or the crease of the elbow? My spindle center line is about level with the crease of the elbow. I find that I can accommodate different center lines by how I adjust the top of the tool rest. When I‘m in a class or at a friend’s workshop where the lathe centerline is higher or lower than my own, I adjust the tool rest to accommodate. Maybe if I spent 8 - 10 hours a day on the lathe, I’d be more sensitive to centerline height, but my 71-year-old body won’t tolerate standing for that long.

There's no definite, exact measurement.. "Elbow Height" is just a starting point, as said before... basically stand next to lathe and if your elbow can bump (carefully) the tailstock live center when you swing it over the lathe.. *somewhere* (I go by the bony bump that sticks out at side of elbow) that's pretty much the rule of thumb .. but then everybody's thumb is a little different.. So as mentioned, it is just a starting point, and adjust for personal preference - whatever's comfortable.. If you are comfortable at your lathe for the amount of time you spend at it, you're probably at the right height *for you*