Benchtop cabinet stand for Robust Scout lathe

[Jason Waguespack]

Finishing up on benchtop cabinet stand for my Robust Scout lathe coming in next week. Top is 23" x 46" with height of 30" off floor. All drawers inside measurements - - -> 35" W x 18" D with inside depth (top down) 1st (2 1/2") and 2nd (2 1/2") for turning tools --- 3rd (3 1/2") --- 4th (4 1/2") --- 5th (6 1/2") for lathe accessories. Used 1" baltic birch ply doubled on top and sides. Extended legs out forward for stability (28" wide). Have 18" x 38" x 1 1/4" granite (aprox 85 lbs) for weight at bottom. Gonna use furniture corner dollies to move from wall area to center of shop. Just waiting for Brent / Deb to ship my Scout next week.

 

[hockenbery]

Be a shame to cover up that top

Enjoy!

 

[DON FRANK]

Beautiful!

 

[Don C Davis]

Man that's wonderful, showing some skills I hope to have one day! The scout is a good lathe for sure--I love the setup you have planned!

 

[Zach LaPerriere]

Nice Jason! It's clear that you take your wood endevors as seriously as your BBQ.

 

[Tom Albrecht]

That is definitely a "robust" stand/platform and way heavier than mine. I have my Scout mounted on the Robust stand with the Robust wheel kit. I have it set up so I can change the height easily by using a jack and wooden blocks-- sometimes I am working with my little granddaughters, and sometimes I am working with another adult.
I think he Scout is a great lathe.
Let's see some followup pictures after you have it mounted!

 

[Jason Waguespack]

new Robust Scout Lathe has arrived.

 

[Zach LaPerriere]

That is a dandy! One thing to consider, and please don't think I am trying to rain on your parade. I like to have the ability to have my right knee right under the bed of the lathe. In short: you're going to be leaning over more with that set-up. I would think you might like cantilevering the lathe out just a little if you can keep things balanced and safe—which admittedly sounds like a challenge. The other option would be to cut the drawers in some...but that would be a bummer. One way or another, you'll be happy.
Have fun!

 

[Jason Waguespack]

Used 1" spacer between lathe and benchtop stand for a 46" spindle height.
My elbow height is 44 1/2".
I'm new to this woodturning stuff so I'll try this height to start with.

 

[Tom Albrecht]

That is a dandy! One thing to consider, and please don't think I am trying to rain on your parade. I like to have the ability to have my right knee right under the bed of the lathe. In short: you're going to be leaning over more with that set-up. I would think you might like cantilevering the lathe out just a little if you can keep things balanced and safe—which admittedly sounds like a challenge. The other option would be to cut the drawers in some...but that would be a bummer. One way or another, you'll be happy.
Have fun!

Well, ya did "rain on his parade" Mr. Natural with yer right knee! Everybody has their own style and accommodations that we develop and learn from over time-- the OP said that he's a newbie. I suppose Bill is 'gonna yank this one. Should I admit that you and I are friends?

 

[olaf Vogel]

That is a dandy! would think you might like cantilevering the lathe out just a little if you can keep things balanced and safe—which admittedly sounds like a challenge.

The other option might be to extend that 1" riser out to the front a little and rebolt the lathe to get that clearance underneight.
But that bench is awesome. Since its 1" baltic ply, it should be rock solid. Nice work!

 

[hockenbery]

We all have different turning styles.
I tend to work close to the lathe and often have my hip against it.
I often use the footspace under the bed especially when working from the tailstock side of a form.

The scout is a terrric lathe and it includes a marvelous stop bar safety feature
However my hip turns off the secondary remote movable switch on my lathe with great regularity and it is a small red button target. The scout stop bar and I would have to come to some agreement.

The cabinet edge appears to be in a perfect place to minimize or prevent unwanted engagement of the stop bar.
I would undoubtedly be happier turning on the scout that kept running than one I turn off with my hip like I turn off my lathe.

Your may be thinking my remote switch could be moved somewhere else and it could but its purpose is to let me turn the machine off quickly so it needs to be where my hand can find it without looking.

 

[Zach LaPerriere]

Well, ya did "rain on his parade" Mr. Natural with yer right knee! Everybody has their own style and accommodations that we develop and learn from over time-- the OP said that he's a newbie. I suppose Bill is 'gonna yank this one. Should I admit that you and I are friends?

Tom, I've been humbled many times after completing a project when someone with more experience or a different perspective came along and "rained on my parade." At times it wasn't easy to receive that advice. But I'm a better man, craftsman, and artist from that feedback.

Sometimes I received advice I didn't take—but I at least considered it. Retrospect taught me that sometimes it was wise to ignore the advice, and sometimes I should have been more open.

This is a forum. Definition of forum: A place, meeting, or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged.

If members are encouraged to hold back or sugar-coat, I have better things to do.

 

[Tom Albrecht]

We all have different turning styles.
I tend to work close to the lathe and often have my hip against it.
I often use the footspace under the bed especially when working from the tailstock side of a form.

The scout is a terrric lathe and it includes a marvelous stop bar safety feature
However my hip turns off the secondary remote movable switch on my lathe with great regularity and it is a small red button target. The scout stop bar and I would have to come to some agreement.

The cabinet edge appears to be in a perfect place to minimize or prevent unwanted engagement of the stop bar.
I would undoubtedly be happier turning on the scout that kept running than one I turn off with my hip like I turn off my lathe.

Your may be thinking my remote switch could be moved somewhere else and it could but its purpose is to let me turn the machine off quickly so it needs to be where my hand can find it without looking.

You probably already know this, but another one of the good things about working with Robust, is that you can order custom modifications, like I did for my Scout--- a push button stop switch on a cord with a magnetic box.

 

[Tom Albrecht]

Tom, I've been humbled many times after completing a project when someone with more experience or a different perspective came along and "rained on my parade." At times it wasn't easy to receive that advice. But I'm a better man, craftsman, and artist from that feedback.

Sometimes I received advice I didn't take—but I at least considered it. Retrospect taught me that sometimes it was wise to ignore the advice, and sometimes I should have been more open.

This is a forum. Definition of forum: A place, meeting, or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged.

If members are encouraged to hold back or sugar-coat, I have better things to do.

Of course you are right on here Zach.
I was just trying to get on Jason's good side in case I ever find myself in Louisiana with a taste for BBQ.

 

[hockenbery]

You probably already know this, but another one of the good things about working with Robust, is that you can order custom modifications, like I did for my Scout--- a push button stop switch.

Haven’t turned on the Scout yet. have done about 10 demos on the AB.
Robusts and Oneways are mostly built to order from a long list of published and few unpublished new options.
Brent built a lathe for a guy down the road.

 

[Bill Boehme]

There will be no deleting of posts for speaking an honest opinion.

As far as designing the ideal lathe stand/cabinet are concerned, everybody has their own version of ideal. For a couple years when I was without a big lathe, my Jet mini filled that role. The Jet mini didn't have a cabinet or stand so the floor was pressed into service as a substitute stand. Sitting cross legged on the floor for hours isn't so bad if you're twelve, but not quite as much fun if you're a geezer. But, there was a silver lining to what might have appeared to be a dark cloud. I was actually playing the sympathy card. Missus B said, "why don't you get a Robust American Beauty so that you don't have to sit on the floor to turn"? Wow, all my subtle hints paid off! Moral of the story? Never judge another man's ideal lathe stand.

 

[Leo Van Der Loo]

Nice cabinet and a nice lathe, though I would not have my lathe on the cabinet, I like my stand open under the lathe and certainly no sticking out feet I’d trip over guaranteed.

Drawers under the lathe would fill with shavings and dust for sure, I’d keep them away from under my lathe, and that is the reason not all lathe stands are build alike

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

Nice cabinet and a nice lathe, though I would not have my lathe on the cabinet, I like my stand open under the lathe and certainly no sticking out feet I’d trip over guaranteed.

Drawers under the lathe would fill with shavings and dust for sure, I’d keep them away from under my lathe, and that is the reason not all lathe stands are build alike

Leo I would agree on the legs sticking out . Drawers can be designed to reduce dust penetration. I have 2 sets that I used to have under my lathes and the only dust problem is when they are opened under a lathe covered in shavings. I have now stacked these beside my PM so I can put more stuff close by.

 

[Jason Waguespack]

Leo -----> show me a lathe without the legs / foundation sticking out in the front. From center spindle to front of legs is 11" and from center spindle to back of legs is 17". The legs has a 28" spread and the lathe is off center to the front.

 

[Leo Van Der Loo]

Leo I would agree on the legs sticking out . Drawers can be designed to reduce dust penetration. I have 2 sets that I used to have under my lathes and the only dust problem is when they are opened under a lathe covered in shavings. I have now stacked these beside my PM so I can put more stuff close by.

Gerald, knowing me, i will need some other tool or piece while turning, I would open the drawer and yes chips/dust will fall into the drawer, so I would have to clear the top and dust sticking to the front of the stand, that’s just not for me.

Leo -----> show me a lathe WITHOUT the legs / foundation sticking out in the front. From center spindle to front of legs is 11" and from center spindle to back of legs is 17". The legs has a 28" spread and the lathe is off center to the front.

Jason my lathe is free from sticking out legs, I know not everyone wants to build this kind of stand, but it works well for me.