Question for a new lathe

[John Torchick]

I have a Rikon 70-050VS lathe on order. The lathe is a benchtop model. While reading odie's thread on vibration and the many replies, I came up with a question. I have considered keeping the base for my old HF lathe, #37406, and adding a heavy top of some sort. Or I could build a stand/bench from scratch. I want to have something that is stable and would hold up. I have access to a cabinet shop that has scraps of countertops that wind up in the dumpster; I could splurge and actually buy a piece for a top. Your suggestions are most welcome. Thanks.

 

[Dean Center]

Here's an Ernie Conover DIY stand design developed for a small Nova lathe, but which would give you a starting point or at least some ideas if you end up making your own.
http://www.teknatool.com/projects/NOVA-BASE.PDF

Dean

 

[Bill Boehme]

I like the Ernie Conover stand that Dean posted.

How sturdy is the HF stand? If it is anything like the ones that I have seen at the local HF store in the last few years, I already know the answer. A decent stand can be improved by making it stiffer with gussets and cross bracing. AA not-s0-good stand may be more trouble than it is worth. Adding weight to the top does nothing to improve a stand and very likely would make it more wobbly if it is already marginal.

Mass is good for stability, especially if the mass behaves as one rigid piece or at least tightly coupled pieces. If you feel compelled to go dumpster diving, at least go in with a plan for stiffening the structure. That way you are putting the mass to work and not just letting it go along for the ride.

 

[John Torchick]

Hi, Dean! I was searching the 'Net and found several, one very similar to this one. May modify it a bit. Get some sand for weight and put in a tool rack. However, 2x3? Rip a 2x4? I would just use a 2x4. Saw one that used 4x4's- thing must weight a ton! Thanks for the link.
Bill, the old lathe had a 42 inch bed, if I recall. It wasn't in the league of Jet, et al. but didn't walk or vibrate. Surprised as it is painted metal. I might just make one for the new lathe. Gives me an excuse for some shop time.

 

[Bart Leetch]

I found this interesting.

http://www.woodcentral.com/cgi-bin/readarticle.pl?dir=turning&file=articles_531.shtml

 

[Bill Boehme]

I found this interesting.

http://www.woodcentral.com/cgi-bin/readarticle.pl?dir=turning&file=articles_531.shtml

While it looks nice and has lots of nice features, I would have problems with not being able to get close enough because of the enclosed cabinet and the mobile base. I like splayed legs because the broader footprint means better stability.

 

[Bart Leetch]

While it looks nice and has lots of nice features, I would have problems with not being able to get close enough because of the enclosed cabinet and the mobile base. I like splayed legs because the broader footprint means better stability.

That's one of the reasons I like these newer lathes with sliding heads which I can see would be much nicer to work with then the older lathes with base cabinets.

Having cast legs & the ability to move the head in away from the legs or all the way to the end of the bed definitely has advantages.