How High Should a Lathe Be?

Doug,

You may want to continue adjusting the tool rest height. Sometimes it works better for me at center line, sometimes above or below. If it doesn't feel right, I change it.

Have fun with your new toy, and see if you can get your daughter hooked too.

Old Guy

Did that with my Harley. Had the dealer replace the mufflers before I got the bike.

My complaint with the sheet metal stand is only that it is solid on top and shavings quickly fill up the pockets between the ways. I have thought about removing the lathe and having holes cut in the top of the stand, but my back keeps groaning at the thought.

But did you still pay for the stock mufflers?

When I bought a Suzuki 850 in my last lifetime, I paid extra for modified exhaust, but not much, because it was a factory order "without mufflers..

A couple of years ago, my neighbor bought a new Cheby pickup and ordered it with the factory lowering kit and different exhaust... I didn't realize that they charged him for both stock and custom parts until I saw the stack of shocks, mufflers, etc. on his patio... I thought that pretty much sucked..

OTOH, (sort of back on topic), The store manager at Woodcraft that I'm dealing with can't seem to locate the Nova cast iron legs... He keeps trying to tell me that the only option is the "universal stand" and I DON'T want that.. I may end up talking to Bill about a stand... lol

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Thanks for mentioning that... More ammo to shoot down Woodcraft and their "universal stand".. If they can't get the real cast iron legs, I'll either order them from Teknatool or see if Bill's ready for a vacation to Baja..

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Which is why on my home-built cabinet/stand, the lathe bed is elevated 1.5" above the top at the attachment points. Imagine you could do the same if you could shorten its legs or lengthen yours.

Yes, I did. The bike was in the showroom, stock. I have the stock mufflers in the garage.

I may have to play with that, George..

I got a choice today from Woodcraft: Take the universal stand for $150 or order the cast iron legs from New Zealand myself for $200 plus shipping..

Of course, in our 3 days of dicking around over what legs/stand and proving to him that the XP DOES come with a hand wheel, I missed his Thursday ordering date.. He'll order it on next Thursday and have it "in a week or two".. Sort of loose scheduling when I need to find out which friend is coming down when.. Already got 2 or 3 folks willing to pick it up and bring it across the border but have to coordinate who/when... akkk...

I always do this.. agonize for months on a tool purchase and then once I make up my mind to buy it, I want it yesterday..lol

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Well, could be good if you sell the bike and they want it stock, I guess..

I had to settle for the cheapie stand, damn it.. If it's as bad as I think it is, I'll order the cast iron legs and make a grinder bench or something out of the cheap stand...

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Mine is set so that the spindle is right at elbow height, and that seems to be about perfect for me.

One thing that springs immediately to mind for me is to wonder how long your tools are... if they're short, you're going to want it lower. Most of my lathe chisels are about 24" long, and the elbow-height spindle is right for that- but I could see dropping it a bit if you've got the short ones.