I have read original article, viewed the video and read each of the questions/answers — all of which were useful.
Finding the Google Sketchup drawing was a particular treat since I am using that software to design my next project.
I am building a stand/platform/table for an early 1950s Lathe that my grandfather had. Two of the primary design goals are that the Lathe can be moved (I have a hydraulic lift table) and when not in use the area can be used as a working surface.
To accomplish these goals I am taking various ideas from several people. The “traveling portion” will have a wood stand with very heavy legs (panels actually) with vibration damping in the frame. Until I saw your ideas I was planning on using two sheets of 3/4″ MDF supported by 2 x 4’x (again with vibration dampening).
I very much like your idea of using removeable mdf panels to suit the task at hand. In this case, one of them would have the lathe mounted on it and have an opening to exhaust wood dust and chips. Do you forsee any particular problems with using a much thicker and more rigidly supported top?
Replies
I'm already dabbling with designing a second slightly modified version of the bench with a slightly wider well for power tool mounting like you have in mind. I was picturing mounting one of the fairly new mini lathes to a simple MDF insert but there is no reason why the design wouldn't work with a larger lathe as long as the panel and bench were properly proportioned.
A problem you will have with a thicker top on the bench is that the jaws of the clamps aren't tall enough to accommodate a much thicker top. The panel that your lathe is mounted on could be thicker that the ordinary MDF well inserts, which means the top of the panel would be higher than the surface of the bench, but I don't see this as a problem.
In my experience, the chips and shavings from turning spread far and wide, I wouldn't put too much effort into making an opening in the panel for the chips.
John White
Thanks for your reply.To deal with height (and related problems) I am planning on mounting 1 x 3s on the face of the 2 xs in the channel where the Lathe or other tools will go. The 3 side of the face will be mounted on the 2 x giving me two 1 xs (1.5") "shoulders" for the mdf supports to sit on. They will be recessed off the top by the depth of the MDF so the top of the mounting MDF can be the same height as the other pieces. Your note about the depth of the table creating a clampping problem is not something I had thought about, but I will now attend to it and try to figure out a solution.Once again, thanks. Alan
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled