06-04-2017, 11:58 AM
You should be able to look down upon the lathe and have a clear view of the cross slide tool post and chuck, if you have to raise up on tip toes to get a better view on the overhead view its too high, the dials should be about waist level about the hieght of your navel.
If you plan to put shelves up make sure there low enough to just place items upon it you dont want to reach over the lathe, this also means the back of the lathe needs to be as close to the wall as possible, most place common used items on the shelf for quick access think of ways to eliminate accidents by dropping them on the lathe.
make provisions for a swarf tray under it, make it easy to be removed and put back. if your bench is wood make metal base plates 3/16 thick or so and place them under the feet of the lathe to spread the weight, bolt the feet through the plates and through the bench, this arrangement makes it easier to place shims under the feet when you level it.
Make sure you have plenty of quality lighting florescent lighting is good get the natural light bulbs. design and build shelves under the bench and store everything associated with the lathe, certain places for certain items, I remember in my apprenticeship days there was a big blue and white porcelain sign it read " There is a place for everything and everything has its place"
Enjoy building your shop and have fun... Anthony.
If you plan to put shelves up make sure there low enough to just place items upon it you dont want to reach over the lathe, this also means the back of the lathe needs to be as close to the wall as possible, most place common used items on the shelf for quick access think of ways to eliminate accidents by dropping them on the lathe.
make provisions for a swarf tray under it, make it easy to be removed and put back. if your bench is wood make metal base plates 3/16 thick or so and place them under the feet of the lathe to spread the weight, bolt the feet through the plates and through the bench, this arrangement makes it easier to place shims under the feet when you level it.
Make sure you have plenty of quality lighting florescent lighting is good get the natural light bulbs. design and build shelves under the bench and store everything associated with the lathe, certain places for certain items, I remember in my apprenticeship days there was a big blue and white porcelain sign it read " There is a place for everything and everything has its place"
Enjoy building your shop and have fun... Anthony.
ieezitin, proud to be a member of MetalworkingFun Forum since Jan 2013.