Replies

1. 
   BruceS | Feb 02, 2007 06:46am | #1

   Pictures, if possible,  would be a big help to advise properly about set-up and the tool rest ?

   Read,read, read.  Read some basic turning books by Ernie Conover, Richard Raffin and Mike Darlow.  You are correct in assuming that a lathe can be dangerous,  it's the only woodworking machine where the wood moves and not the tool.  And also look for a turning Club in your area, much wisdom and skill there.

   OH !  By the way, Welcome to your first post.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

   
   

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   Edited 2/1/2007 10:48 pm ET by BruceS

2. 
   hammer1 | Feb 02, 2007 07:43am | #2

   I would just make a long table and bolt the lathe to that. There may be times you want to use a router and the table top will give you a surface to work from. Keep the lathe even with the drive head end of the table. You will have more room if you do any outboard turning like bowls. Get a leather apron, wear safety glasses in addition to a face shield. If you throw a skew at yourself, you'll have a little extra protection. Face shields alone don't meet ANSI standards.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

3. 
   frenchy | Feb 02, 2007 08:08pm | #3

   DrynDusty,

      I just set my lathe on top of an old steel topped printing table I had.. and clamped it down.. works fine if a tiny bit awkward (it's a bit too high)  and my arms are at awkward angles.

     IF I had a workbench I'd clamp it onto that lacking something else.. lathe work is fine and fun etc.. but sometimes you just don't have the required space for everything..

4. 
   lefky | Feb 02, 2007 08:43pm | #4

   Here is a link to a lathe stand plan that is used at Conover Workshops. It is very sturdy and doesn't look too hard to build. All of the Nova lathes at Conover are mounted on this stand.

   Some of the stands also have slats along the bottom supports for storage (although anything stored under a lathe will get covered in shavings.)

   http://www.teknatool.com/projects/index.htm

   Scroll down to Wooden Lathe Stand for a photo and link to PDF plan.

   Jeff L

1. 
   DrynDusty | Feb 02, 2007 10:56pm | #5

   Thanks for all the excellent suggestions. The Conover Lathe Base may be the way to go. I'll see if I can figure how to send a picture: it hasn't worked yet. New computer, new software, it takes practice.
   Norm

1. 
   BruceS | Feb 02, 2007 11:44pm | #6

   If anybody is wondering what a Conover Lathe looks like.   It's the green beamed lathe in the background behind the Nova lathe in the above listed link.Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S.