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lathe bench location

G

gsieracki

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just another question here. I know too many of them, just trying to get my workshop better organized and set for more turning.

What would you say are the advantages and/or disadvantages of setting up a lathe on a bench tight to a wall?

A couple thoughts come to mind such as dust collection, especially when sanding, lighting, working from the end of the lathe, possilbly any position where the tool handle would cross over the lathe bed and finishing spray onto the wall. Also thinking about a piece catostrophically failing and bouncing off the wall back at me.

Thanks!

Gerry
 
My first lathe was setup closer to the wall, much like you describe. For making boxes and other spindle work it was fine. I didn't have a dust collection system at that time and was not turning large bowls. I didn't have a need for long tools handles for what I was doing then. I did pull a box blank out of the chuck, using the Raffan backhollowing technique. I was able to catch it with my wrist after it bouned off the wall. Didn't hurt the Mesquite one bit. I had put one of those plastic carpet protectors like you find in offices as a wall protector - didn't hurt it either. And the swelling did go down.

I made a table that went between my lathe and the wall, putting the lathe 30" away from the wall. That was the best thing I did. I now have a dust collection hood right behind the area where the dust comes off. It sets on the table and can be moved around to suit the various size bowls I turn. It can also be moved very close for boxes. I also have a place to lay tools that I am using. They are across the bed at the end of the lathe so I don't have to reach across the work. The lathe is 51" between centers so I have a lot of unused space most of the time. I also use it as a place to keep some of the box blanks I am working on. When I had the shorter lathe there, I had a tray that say across the ways and used the table for box blanks only.

Now that I have a 24" lathe, I am making some 22"-23" bowls and have some long handeled gouges and scrapers. The 30" spacing seems to work good for what I am doing and I would never put my lathe up against the wall again. You might try your lathe up against the wall and see if it works for you. I think it all depends on what you are doing. For boxes, it wouldn't matter - except for the dust collection. Large bowls would be a different story. Again, the only way to find out is to try it for yourself.

I solved the lighting by installing both a Moffet light, which is fixed to my dust collection hood, and a track spot light. These go along with the half dozen florescent fixtures around my lathe. The spot is aimed for just in front of the spindle and makes a world of difference.
 
Floor space is at a premium in my shop, which is why my lathe is on a cabinet top against the wall. Keeps the fallout footprint to a minimum, allows me to hang the tools on the wall behind it rather than build secondary containment, and since heavy over the top wants to lift the rear legs, might even help a bit with stability being up against the wall.

Since I cut at centerline, long handles aren't a problem, and with the swing rather than end-move head, larger stuff is convenient on a lathe against the wall. Collection is handled easily, even in tight places by using heating ducts, so I wouldn't let that deter me either.

If you do locate your lathe in precious floor space stolen from your saw or jointer - which occupy center floor at my house - consider a minimum of a deflection wall to help control the down and out shavings from hollowing. Big labor saver and keeps the shavings from denying you access to the mortiser!
 
After my new shop (enclosed 1 1/2 bays of a 3-car garage) was done, I had (am still having) a heck of a time deciding where to put what. I've never had so much space yet all the outlets were on the walls so everything ended up around the perimeter of the shop. Not good. I put a pulley outlet in the center of the room (only 3 outlets), it's ok but still not the best. Floor space is not at a premium yet I'm frustrated and constantly "try this here" "maybe if that was there", etc.

I've looked at probably hundreds of shops doing google image searches. I did get a lot of great ideas.

The best advice I got was to just start working and before you know it, things you use the most will end up where they are the handiest. Great advice, now if I could just find that tool I need in the "handiest pile"! 😱

Seriously, try doing the image search, it can't hurt.

Ruth
www.torne-lignum.com
 
When my new shop (26x28) was added on to the existing 22x28 barn/workshop I thought I'd never need more space. Well LOML decided that also, and everything she no longer wanted in the house, basement, or garage was relegated to the new space 'cause I had all this "room". I ended up exactly like Ruth said in the previous response about where to best put tools in the workspace. (My electrical outlet situation is better though I have 20 amp outlets 3 to each wall, and 2 in the ceiling. Also 2 220V circuits for lathe and bandsaw.) BTW this area is also storage to all the gardening tools, 1 small tractor, riding lawnmower and two large rototillers.

I do mostly turning so I set the lathe at a right angle to the wall for more comfort space. I have the old lathe set up as a permanent Beall buffing station parallel to the new lathe, with the sharpening station at its headstock end. So far that is working ok.

For the small amount of flatwork I still do I'm working on rearranging those tools again for better spacing.

I'd be in trouble if I ever get into segmented turnings as I'd have to take the tablesaw out of use for blank storage and create a usable work space for it for sawing.

The long and short of it is that you'll probably find experimentation is going to be the route to follow for the best working arrangement for you.

Jim
 
I've only been turning for around 3-4 years now, and I believe I can count on my two hands, the pieces that I've turned from only one side of the lathe. I'm always turning from both sides. Especially when I'm turning bowls.
So, for me, the answer is that I would not be able to turn if it were against the wall. 🙂
 
mine was on the bench about 50cm away from the wall. untill i built a cubord between it and the wall for all my ods n ends and now there is about 25cm clerance and it dose not worrie me one bit.
 
Ceiling Outlets

Ruth,
You probably have access to the upper side (attic?) of your garage ceiling. If so it would be relatively easy to add some ceiling outlets.

My lathe is out in the room, plugged into 220 ceiling outlet. Also have 110 drop from the ceiling for shop vac at headstock end, fan w/ filter behind the spindle, movable light, and grinder at tailstock end. Just makes it easier to clean up around all this stuff.

Also new shop, so still have lots of boxes of stuff I don't know where to put, and not sure where the band saw, drill press, and two tables on casters belong.
 
I have my lathe set up diagonally from the corner. This gives me access to both sides. During hollow form turning I like to go to the back side since I hate leaning over the bed. This also keeps the finish from spraying on the back wall, now it just hits the OSB under the lathe (not shown in the pic).

web20061130_lathe1.jpg
 
"Also new shop, so still have lots of boxes of stuff I don't know where to put, and not sure where the band saw, drill press, and two tables on casters belong."
---------------------------

Richard, you and I have the exact same problem, I really do have a bandsaw, drill press and two tables on casters that I cannot decide where they should most efficiently reside. Only my drill press was my Dad's, he bought it in 1938 so it's one hunk of a machine!

I just added to my dilema by putting in two windows, a 6' x 3' slider is now right where I had my tools. I need to turn my lathe for optimal lighting from the window AND find a new place for my tools. Why can we never leave well enough alone???? I put the windows in for sunlight in the winter and airflow the rest of the year.
 
Here's a picture of my tool wall where there is now a window.

Shops, like homes, are easier to organize if they are the same size as our possessions. If they are bigger, we have to go buy stuff to fill up the space.

*note: in "preview post" I did not see any picture, if it's not here when I hit "submit reply", can someone tell me what I did wrong.
 

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well post retirement when we move into our "final" house I'll have the shop I want. Meanwhile it's all around the perimeter, making sure the car doors can still open - something about measure twice.

Mobility can be good but I took my mini lathe off the mobile base today, rearranged to the setup I'll have when I get the new lathe and tested. I discovered I need to move the shelf up a few inches, faceshield up meets shelf when leaning over. The self move will also give me more options on lighting, the halogen was a little to close to the wall and my head for my comfort. I might do an under cabinet type or hangin flourescent under the shelf for optimal lighting.

I think with the new lathe my turnings will be better. Even with the mini and it now being more stable the finish from the tool was better in todays turning.

Now if I could just find more time to turn, rather than every other weekend.

Gerry
 
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