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Where to Place the 3520B in the Garage/Shop?

Joined
Jul 14, 2007
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Location
South Burbs of Chicago
OK Now that I ordered it, WHERE should I put it?

I have my 1442 just off to the side of center stage, not really thought out, just an open area at the time with a 110V plug overhead. Its close to the table saw that sits in the center of the shop.

My shop is pretty packed but the new lathe will take center stage so to speak.

I'm ready to revamp and move everything around as I need to run 2- 220V outlets to the lathe, one for the lathe and one for a Gast vac pump if I feel the HoldFast one isnt enough plus I need to run(depending on were placed) 110V for seperate circut lighting for the lathe.

Should it be placed off to the side at an angle to the wall?
Placed in the middle of my shop with all plugs overhead?
Up front close to the overhead garage door?(but then no overhead plugins as the door will open and hit the cords)

I will have the 18" bed attached in the lower position and work more from the end of the lathe than anywhere else I believe. Even turning small things like pen and bottle stoppers i'll most likely keep the head slide down.

I'd like your opinions on this please and lots of PICS would help too.

I need to get workin on this NOW and get someone out to do the electrical work so placement is CRITICAL.

I know its up to me to decide but I'd really like to get some feedback and thoughts pros and cons if you will.

At this point I can basically put it anywere in the shop since electrical has to be run anyways.

Thanks.
 
I wouldn't put the plugs overhead as I don't like the possibility of the cord getting grabbed by spinning wood.

On my Oneway 2436, I just put a longer cord to the wall plug. The lathe sits about 3' from the wall, perpendicular to it and the lathe has an extention. So very similar to your situation. You just need to make sure you run the right guage wire for the length of cord and power draw.
 
You have to leave the tail end open enough for you to work there, and the motor sticks out on the other end, so I guess I'd make a sort of mock table or shelf to keep the motor from hitting the wall on one end and make sure that my tool rack or whatever was at the tail end was on wheels to conveniently reposition it. You're spending a lot of floor space with an empty set of legs, so strongly consider a cabinet on that shelf bracket, perhaps extending out the rear of the stand to match the footprint. Get you some storage space back. Don't extend it into the area in front, or you'll be hitting it with your legs all the time. You want the ability to snuggle right up to the ways for long deep stuff, and being able to put a collection bag right up there to drop shavings in is a nice benefit as well.

Perpendicular to the wall would keep you from wasting that triangle behind it.
 
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Ceiling Outlets

Those ceiling outlets are very handy, w/ additional safety factor of not having cords strung across the floor. Have ceiling 220 outlet for lathe plus multiple 110 outlets for lights. There are 3 lighting circuits, so each has capacity to run additional stuff from ceiling outlets. Two wires (110 & 220) drop straight from ceiling to run lathe, box fan behind lathe, shop vac, and extra light (besides light suspended over lathe). A drop from 2nd lighting circ. runs grinders at other end of lathe. A ceiling-mounted cord reel is plugged into 3rd lighting circ. to run stuff in middle of other end of shop. Also various wall outlets, of course. Ceiling is good, Steve. Keeps those cords off the floor and you can put stuff where you want it.
 
Thanks guys.

I can still use some ideas or pictures of your 3520 set ups.

I'm leaning towards setting it near the window area in a typical 2 1/2 car garage.
Set at an angle away from it, I'll be near the window AC unit to keep cool in the summer months my electrical box is in that general area so I won't have to add a long run.

But before I commit to placing it there I want to see all options.
 
I have power cords dropped from the ceiling in both my shops, best way to go. You never have a problem tripping over them. Way more convenient IMO.
 
How about posting some pics of your garage. It might give some a better idea on how to help you rearrange for your new lathe. :)
 
I've a 2 1/2 car garage as a shop. My Stubby is placed in the middle of the double door opening, motor end to the door, about three feet from it. I've a 4' wide free standing workbench parallel and in line towards the door in the back to our kitchen. Since I'm now on vacation in Pensacola Beach, you aren't getting any more pictures than are on our website (http://www.abhats.com) for at least a week.

The location works great for backlighting when the door is open and weather mild. I've three 100 watt lamps mounted on the end of the workbench for front lighting. Because I've sort of an aisle setup, I use a heavy duty floor fan to blow out dust when the door is open while sanding. Since I've another car space on each side of this, I use one for my band saw (MM-20), dust collector and belt sander, and the other side for sharpening grinders and floor drill press. There's a final isle over in the 1/2 car space that has an almost full-lenght workbence and small aisle for other than turning stuff.
 
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