Craft Supplies VL300 - Need it lowered

[Doug Machin]

I obtained a CSVL300 from 1990 - In the past, Craft Supplies imported the Vicmarc bed, tailstock, banjo and headstock and built their own base, motor, variable speed unit.
Got it from a local turner's widow. Turned about 100 bowls in the last year. VL300 is awesome!

Problem is, it's way too high, and there's no adjustment in the base.

Pictures attached - i can remove the 11" legs, but need to build a new base. I'm a woodworker, and don't do steel. I can handle moving the variable speed control, which is in the left leg.

Any thoughts/advice/options? If I can't figure this out, I'll likely sell this and move to a new model.

 

[Ted Pelfrey]

How about building a platform to stand on. We keep some at one club for shorter demo guys. Work great.

 

[Steve Tiedman]

(As I'm proofreading, Ted posted his message...)
You didn't mention how much lower you want it to be, but, how about building a platform up around it? If you lay 2x4 flat face on the floor, 16" on center, and secure 3/4" plywood to the lumber, you'll be 2-1/4" taller relative to the spindle. Run that platform 3' out in front of the lathe and a foot or so longer than the left and right ends (maybe 2' longer to the right end to allow turning from the right end of the bed) and you'll have a nice safe area to move around on. Then paint the perimeter edge of the platform safety yellow as a visual warning to watch your step.

(Edit- extend the platform to go under the lathe the depth of the base feet, same at the right end.)

Would that raise your body position enough? Add another layer of plywood if needed.

 

[Larry Copas]

Since you said the legs are removable, just take them off and trot over to the local welding shop. I'm a hack welder and could shorten those legs with my plasma in a few minutes. Might have to add a brace or two than clean up. Wouldn't take me longer than a hour.

 

[Lyle Jamieson]

If you make new feet, make sure to add leveling feet. I prefer the platform. The first couple weeks it is a trip hazard. After that you won't know it is there.

 

[Doug Machin]

How about building a platform to stand on. We keep some at one club for shorter demo guys. Work great.

Great idea on the platform, that's been an idea that I've put aside, as I hoping there's a better option.

 

[Doug Machin]

If you make new feet, make sure to add leveling feet. I prefer the platform. The first couple weeks it is a trip hazard. After that you won't know it is there.

For sure. Everything else in my shop has leveling feet. this lathe as leveling 'pointy bolts' but they're not enough to level, just stabilize.

 

[Doug Machin]

Since you said the legs are removable, just take them off and trot over to the local welding shop. I'm a hack welder and could shorten those legs with my plasma in a few minutes. Might have to add a brace or two than clean up. Wouldn't take me longer than a hour.

I've wondered if a welding shop could rearrange those feet. I'll look into that. Thanks!

 

[Aron Fast]

I second building a platform. My 9 year old is learning how to turn and we keep a platform for my Jet 1640 that I move out of the way. I think it is just a couple of 6x6 screwed together.

 

[Kevin Jenness]

I would combine Larry and Lyle's advice. Have a steel fabricator shorten the legs and weld on horizontal plates or angles with leveling feet. Make the bases as wide as the original headstock base where it meets the floor for stability. That's a great lathe, no need to replace it when a few hundred dollars at the welding shop will sort it out.

 

[Darryl Fective]

I'm curious about how much height change you're thinking....

A platform has the advantage of a softer (less fatigue-inducing) floor to stand on, but modifying the legs eliminates the trip hazard. Another minor downside of modification could be resale, but might also allow for mobility options. (and maybe increasing resale value)

 

[David Shumaker]

I have the same lathe. If you decide to modify the leg be aware that the VFD is inside the leg under the head. It would be easier to build a platform around it.

 

[Brent@TurnRobust]

I couldn't disagree more about building a platform. It's a trip hazard getting on and off. At some point, you'll fall on your a$$, if you're lucky, and not on your face. As others have mentioned, find a local small welding shop that does walk-in work and have them modify it for you.

 

[David Anliker]

Rather than modify those legs, decide the height and have the fabrication shop make new legs. You have the old legs for resale value, and it is easier to build new than modify. That left leg is a hazard in itself. An I-beam, some 1" all thread and nuts, you are done. A box beam would also work.

 

[Steven Borruso]

I knew I'd have to solve the same issue when I first bought my Grizzly G0766 ... it is way to tall for me (I'm 5'8")
Decided on building a platform that swings up out of the way when not in use (have a narrow "lathe room")
Was initially concerned if I'd be tripping over in or accidently "step/fall off" but hasn't happened yet after several yrs of use. I leave it down 90% of the time.
Gets me to the perfect height and one of the most useful shop mods I've made so far.
Only change to the lathe was 2 holes at bottom of the legs for bolts to hinge it and 2 pieces of threaded rod in existing threaded holes to catch the platform from swinging too far in when upright..

 

[stu senator]

I don't know the present height or the required height but perhaps something like this

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

might work. McMaster-Car has many interesting machine leg mounts that may work.