Does a lathe stand HAVE to be level?

Mac:

The bearings don't know the difference between up and down. You might cause a little twisting of the casting but the headstock end is solid enough that it isn't likely to move. So, the main effect would be to put the tailstock and headstock out of alignment. But, since you are hollowing, you aren't using the tailstock. So, no problem.

Another thought -- the load changes seen by the bearings would be minimized if the spindle were completely vertical. I don't think that I could turn very long under those conditions, though.

Bill

mac davis wrote:

Like spindle turning doesn't side load the bearings?

As long as the lathe is attached firmly to the stand, any stress is on the stand, not the lathe.

I know that General says my lathe should be level and I have heard it mentioned about cast gradually "flowing" over time such that the bed could develop a twist which means the HS and TS alignment would not be the same over the length of the bed. I don't think level is the right word. I think the proper terminology should be that the base is sitting flat (ie, in the same plane) at all contact points. Billh

I doubt it would hurt a thing provided there is no twist on the frame.

"billh" wrote: (clip) I think the proper terminology should be that the base is sitting flat (ie, in the same plane) at all contact points. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Bill, you are exactly right. We don't have a good work in the language for this, so everyone says "level." However, one good reason for making any machine LEVEL is that is a reference angle that is easy to measure. You can put a spirit level on a lathebed, printing press or forklift, and easily see whether things are in line. This question comes up from time to time on the metalworking group--they work to much closer tolerances than we do--and it comes down to this: if a metal lathe is too far out of level, the coolant wants to run out.

which plane though? A horizontal plane or an inclined one. :) If in the horizontal plane then all points would have the same level above or below whatever height datum is chosen. They would be at the same level or level would they not? mick

Level is not a real concern, but flat is important. You do not want to torque the frame of ANY machine, wood or metal working.

You are right. I even checked my dictionary and a definition of "level" is all the points in a plane. A second definition is the one that most of use who do woodworking or construction think of when we hear the term level. Billh

Mac:

Can't resist this...

mac davis wrote:

I agree with Bill H so I won't dwell on that...

I think Level in the "gravimetric" sense might be optimal if you keep=20 tools on the bench. (Level in the mathematical sense would allow a=20 "slope" -- according to gravity.)

Since I routinely wear sandals, I appreciate it when the tools do not=20 roll off the bench (none so far thank you).

So I would prefer the strict sense of the word level.

Since the earth is flat -- as we all know Level is easy to achieve --=20 Just line your table up with the basement (garage) floor -- which as=20 well all know is built level - i.e. co-planar with the earth.

This is not my $.02 worth -- I figure a farthing would do if someone=20 would pay.

Anyway my wife says I gotta go get an XRAY cause I have a lump in my=20 cheek...

--=20 Will R. Jewel Boxes and Wood Art

hmm... that would be a little weird, Bill... maybe if the lathe was standing on the floor? lol

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

I think I understand that... sounds like propping it up for an occasional turning would be ok as far as flowing, though...

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

that's definitely something to consider, Kevin... I think that since the 4x4 I'm using is just a bit shorter than the distance between the feet on the tail stock end (used as a reference, since no tail stock involved) that the frame is supported on the same plane as it would be on the table..

No real torque involved, either, because if the piece is more than an inch or 2 in diameter, I don't need to tilt it... I can pretty much see what I'm doing on a larger piece..

I guess I could raise both ends to make it easier to access, but tilting it up sure helps light the hollowing..

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

"WillR" wrote: (clip)Anyway my wife says I gotta go get an XRAY cause I have a lump in my cheek... ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Save bandwidth! Write: "TIC." TIC

.>Since the earth is flat --

Didn't someone tell us that the earth was round?

The lathe stand must be true, straight, and square, but it does not need to be level. You do not want to put unnecessary forces on the bed of the lathe. There is nothing in the design of the lathe that requires the lathe to be parallel to the plane of gravity so long as the lathe is supported.

Henry

Heresy. Don't believe it.

--=20 Will R. Jewel Boxes and Wood Art

"Michael Lehmann" wrote: Didn't someone tell us that the earth was round? ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ That's just one theory, like the *theory* of evolution. The flat earth theory is of even longer standing, and should also be taught in school.

Naw, it's not flat, it's the back of a giant tortise, standing on top of