Replies

1. 
   UnisawA100 | Feb 26, 2005 05:28am | #1

   You don't say how large the lathe is and what you are turning but given that I'd say you want as much mass as possible.

   I'm not sure I'd want a machine sitting on a torsion box.  Might be pretty loud.

   Keith Bohn

2. 
   DennisS | Feb 26, 2005 06:42am | #2

   Dovetail -

   I've never built a torsion box but from what I've seen about how they're built, I don't think the outter skins would be strong enough to hold the lathe bolted through them. Unless you went with say 3/4" plywood.

   In your situation you might consider simply laminating two or even three thickness of 3/4" MDF for the top. Then build a sturdy set of legs with a shelf between them on which to place some weights like concrete blocks (not pumice, real concrete blocks - they're heavier) or bags of sand. You need as much weight as you can scrounge up, the more the merrier you'll be turning.

   All that's without knowing what kind of lathe you're mounting, of course. I'm just assuming it's a 'bench' lathe such as the Delta or Jet or .....

   ...........
   From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
   Dennis
1. 
   UncleDunc | Feb 26, 2005 07:35am | #3

   >> I don't think the outter skins would be strong enough to hold the lathe bolted through them.Put in blocks at the bolt locations. I've seen that detail in several torsion box projects in FWW. You just have to make sure the blocks are the same thickness as whatever you're using in the rest of the box.

2. 
   douglas2cats | Feb 26, 2005 11:46pm | #5

   I pretty much did this and it's working well, except I used 2 layers of laminated 3/4 Baltic Birch ply instead of MDF. The only twist on mine, is there's no shelf between the legs. It's actually a sit-down lathe stand. The lathe is a 36" Delta from the 40's or 50's - the first model they ever made. I bought the lathe and set of turning tools for $30 at a garage sale and the guy had it mounted on a very rickety 2x12 stand. After cleaning it up and test driving it, I started liking the sit-down aspect of his stand, so I just remade a more stable version out of double thick BB ply.If you build it - he will come.

3. 
   BG | Feb 26, 2005 02:44pm | #4

   Dovetail,

   As others have said, it's the weight that counts....but I would not waste 8/4 stock on a lathe bench top.  I took some doug fir 4x4's and built a 6' long bench with 5/4 poplar top. Between the legs of the bench (underneath) I incorporated a large case which holds 6 deep drawers.  

   The bench frame was constructed so that I could attach the lathe through the top and to the frame with long bolts...thereby making the top (5/4 poplar) kinda irrelevant from a strength perspective.  I weigh a lot and weight lift as my other hobby...I cannot move this bench with the lathe on top and the drawers partially full (I mean not even nudge).  

    

   
   

   ---

   Edited 2/26/2005 6:46 am ET by BG

4. 
   johnzeitoun | Feb 27, 2005 12:01am | #6

   In any case, if at all possible, the thing should be bolted to the floor. I would say a couple of sheets of MDF would be sturdy enough for the top.

    

1. 
   dovetail3 | Feb 27, 2005 12:34am | #7

   Thanks to you and all who posted suggestions.
   I neglected to mention the lathe is a Sears
   12 inch. A very light duty beginners lathe.
   I'm thinking of just adding some weight to
   the table I have because I have a feeling
   I'm really going to enjoy turning and if I
   produce anything nice I'll probably invest in
   a much heartier bowl lathe.
   Ken

1. 
   DennisS | Feb 27, 2005 07:56am | #8

   Dovetail -Yours is an excellent approach to 'testing the waters' with respect to turning. Buy cheap, experiment and learn then move up from there.Happy Turning!!Don't be afraid to ask questions here about turning. I'm no expert but there are others here who are. While there's no deditcated turning topic group, it's still discussed quite a bit............
   From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
   Dennis