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Face or back to wall?

I think the size of the space, and what all else you have in it, dictates equipment orientation. For me, I've only ever had small spaces filled with a relatively large amount of stuff, so everything is pushed up against walls so I can move around in the donut hole in the center of the space. Current shop inside dimensions are 11'x21', a single-car garage size. This gives me a walking space of 5-6 feet wide and 14-15 feet long inside of machines, benches, and storage.
 
For retirement we purchased the house across the street, as it has a deep lot. This allowed me to construct a 24’ x 30’ shop off the back of the garage. Such a luxury!
My two main lathes do have room on both sides.
 

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I turn facing the wall. But I sand, sitting in my walker, which is dedicated to a space behind my lathe. So my back is against the wall when I sand. Back issues demand this. Turning enables my hips to move which limits pain and enables me to turn for an extended amount of time. Sanding, on the other hand, prevents hip movement and the longer I stand stationary the greater the pain. So I sit. No pain which makes me a happy turner.
 
I have my back to the wall, where all the tools are. Lathe headstock points at the adjacent wall. It does probably take up more floor space.
It's a personal preference, but the advantages (to me) are:
  • I don't have to reach over a spinning thing to grab tools. Yes - just turn the lathe off. But I don't have to remember that step :)
  • I have the full height of the wall (to the floor) for gouges, chuck shelves, hanging tool rests, etc.
  • I can stand at the end of the lathe for bowl interiors, hollowing, etc.
  • I can move to the back side of the lathe if necessary - I sometimes do this to make a "center-to-foot" cut across the bottom of a bowl using my spindle gouge (lathe runs forward - with this I can get the nose of the gouge into the foot corner.
  • My dust collector nozzle is on a mobile stand, and I can position it or move it out of the way as necessary.
  • I can more easily see shape and form, with the concrete floor as a backdrop (vs a wall of clutter - tools etc).
  • Sweeping is easier as I can get to shavings from all around the lathe.
  • I do IRDs and this gives me space for cameras and monitors - not a thing for most turners, but this is my list :)
  • Visitors have a place to watch and I can keep my eye on what they're doing. I don't like being 'snuck up on from behind' if someone walks in the door while I'm focused on turning.
  • I have a better view, looking at the shop and out the window on the far wall, vs looking at tool racks. And it feels less claustrophobic.
 
Webb Willmott said:
Face, back, or something else? What’s your preference for lathe location and why?
Click to expand...
I carved out a corner of my single garage space. I face the garage door where the morning light comes in. Tools are conveniently hung on the wall to my left, sharpening station is on the narrow table right behind me, and I can just open the garage door if I need to get to the back side of the lathe to clean up or retrieve something I dropped. It works well for me.IMG_6030.jpeg
 
Mine have always been against the wall. It does keep the shavings from traveling so far. Old shop had a lathe room, and it was about 8 by 10. Some times I would have to climb over a pile of shavings to get out....

robo hippy
 
My lathe is at the front of my shop at a corner with me facing the wall but with enough space for me together behind the lathe if needed. Lathe tools are mounted on the wall to my left and a large cabinet on rollers is behind me with access to additional lathe items and sanding supplies.
I located the lathe here since I have a 10’ x 10’ garage door on this side of the shop facing south. It’s easier to remove shavings in this area and raising the door provides great light, even though I have five lights on or right above the lathe. Also, I’m an outdoors person and have to be able to see outside so the door is always up unless it’s 45 degrees or below.
 
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