Proper Lathe Height

I like about 1" above the center of my elbow.

Bill

Bernie Hunt wrote:

I think elbow height is good, but if you do a lot of hollow turning or even deep bowls you might consider a little higher. Elbow height will mean alot of leaning over. Of course, if you are a "youngun", leaning over may be no big deal! Earl

Hi Bernie

Depends a bit on what you will be turning, for spindle turning most have the lathe at elbow height or just a bit higher, bowl turning and you like 3' or 4" higher, and for hollow form turning some like the lathe spindle almost at shoulder height. I think that your table should set the spindle height 4" higher than your elbow, if you find after a while that it is to high, you will be able to cut some off the table legs, would be easier than sawing a piece ON

Bernie Hunt wrote:

The conventional wisdom is that the centre height of the lathe spindl should be level with your elbow when standing normally with your arm by your side. Some turners find that this is a tad too high. I prefe about 1" below that level, (which may account for my bad back) others g for different heights. Only way to find out your best level is to tr various options. Why not design the lathe set-up to allow you to tes each level until you find the right one for you

Inch above the flexed elbow is good. As others have noted, if you want to cut bowls with the tools sharply nose up, you'll want it higher, and you'll still contort over the bed somewhat to get the proper angles. If you use tools and techniques which allow you to do all your cutting at centerline, your elbow will stay nice and relaxed, and as your arm is attached off your body centerline and extended by the tool, you won't have to lean much. You watch the progress of the cut on the other side of the bowl or through observing the formation of the shavings. You want to "feel" the proper cut while standing up comfortably rather than look the tool into the wood.

Thank you to everyone for your response! It looks like elbow and a bit above is the answer. I think I'll work out a temp solution with sawhorses and spacer blocks to try out a few heights in that area and find whats best.

Bernie

folks are going to hate this, but if I was going to build the mini stand again, I'd make it tilt... No matter what lathe height, (mine is slightly above the elbow, or wrist when forearm is parallel to the floor), it's never the right height when I'm working on hollowing a deep box or vase... I usually ended up putting a 4x4 under the tail stock end of the lathe so that I could see and also not be bent double trying to hollow it..YMMV

Bernie... if you have a Workmate handy, that's what I started with on my Jet mini.. it let me try different heights and different distances from me before I designed something to sit it on...

Interesting idea. Do you mean tilt along the axis or across the axis of the lathe?

Also the workmate is a good idea. Handy devices those things are. Definately not find woodworking or serious construciton, but boy are they handy!

Bernie

Bernie.. think about turning a deep vase or something... and getting light into it.. also getting your head low enough to see inside....

Now picture the tail stock end of the lathe at a maybe 30 degree angle up.. no bending and easier to light up the bottom and see what you're doing... YMMV

(now, with the Jet 1442, I can turn the headstock 45 degrees and sit down.. *g*)