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Recommendations for working height of lathe

T

Tim Dodds

Joined
Jun 28, 2015
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Location
Minneapolis
New to turning I am, with a new lathe. Need to find a bench or stand to place it on, and am wondering what recommendations are out there for best height? I've heard or read the spindle in the headstock should be at approximately the height of your elbow when bent at your side. Thanks for your thoughts/guidelines on what you've found works best.

Tim
 
Tim Dodds said:
New to turning I am, with a new lathe. Need to find a bench or stand to place it on, and am wondering what recommendations are out there for best height? I've heard or read the spindle in the headstock should be at approximately the height of your elbow when bent at your side. Thanks for your thoughts/guidelines on what you've found works best. Tim
Click to expand...

At the elbow or an inch or two higher is a good starting point.

Most important is that your back is straight when you work.
If you are leaning over your back will start hurting.
If it is too high you won't be able to work with the tool handles against your side.

Have fun
Al
 
hockenbery said:
At the elbow or an inch or two higher is a good starting point.

Most important is that your back is straight when you work.
If you are leaning over your back will start hurting.
If it is too high you won't be able to work with the tool handles against your side.

Have fun
Al
Click to expand...

Thanks Al, I appreciate your prompt response and willingness to advise.
 
Welcome!

Hi Tim.

Just wanted to say welcome to turning and to the forum! You've already had some great advice from Al so I'll leave it at that.
 
Welcome Tim IN addition to height the width of foot of the stand is important. The wider you can make it the more stabil you lathe will be. My best homemade stand was sort of a tilted A. I didn't want the front side to stick out so far so I made the front side of the A just a little tilted and back then stuck back quite far giving me a very wide foot print. I filled the base of that one with sand. You always get some flex from a metal to wood contact but it was about as stabil as you get. I turned 16" platters on it regularly and few fairly large hollow vessels.
 
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