I just posted my first pen on my project list, and I mentioned “setting up my turning station.” Here’s the steps I go through, just for everyone’s amusement. As you recall, my shop is quite small – to use my table saw I have to roll it into the driveway. Everything is stacked up on everything else when I’m not using it.
The first picture shows my workbench in its normal state of being a storage unit.The big blocky thing leaning up against it on the left is the lathe on its torsion box base.
Now I’ve cleared off the space where the lathe on its base will sit.
Here’s the turning station ready for action. I manhandle the lathe on its base up onto the workbench, and the clamp it down (probably not really needed, but you can’t be too safe, right?).
-- Nils Davis, Menlo Park, CA
6 comments so far
Peter O
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1027 posts in 773 days
posted 745 days ago
A great solution to a small space issue! I’ve always thought that gaping hole under my lathe was a huge waste of space. You’ve done away with that. If only you could get someone else to help you lift!
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Thos. Angle
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4013 posts in 861 days
posted 745 days ago
Maybe a rope and pully to hoist it up to the ceiling when not in use?!! Kinda like the old system they had to put the harness on the fire horses. The human mind feeds on adversity. The more adverse we are the wiser we become.
-- Thos. Angle
Nils
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138 posts in 763 days
posted 745 days ago
Great suggestion! I’ve been thinking of doing some kind of rope and pully method. This is a pretty new setup for me, so I haven’t had time to explore the possibilities. I should have mentioned on the pen entry that it was also my first turning project since I was a teenager.
-- Nils Davis, Menlo Park, CA
Bob #2
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3055 posts in 920 days
posted 745 days ago
Good job Nils!
Think of how the poor old “bodgers” had to run their pole lathes with one foot and cut only on the down stroke.
Now that’s hard times!
Bob
-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner
cajunpen
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5968 posts in 965 days
posted 744 days ago
Goes to show you – when a man (or woman) gets that sawdust in their veins, nothing will stop them from building something.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
SteveRussell
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95 posts in 859 days
posted 744 days ago
Cool!
Where there’s a will, there’s a way! Great job of using the space you have to the best effect. My studio is 30’ x 30’, but you never have enough room. :-( I’m trying to design some multi-purpose tool units that can house some of my growing collection of woodturning tools. Maybe a pull down storage unit, or a rotating, rolling lazy susan type of tower unit would work…?
I like the idea of some type of hoist for your lathe… It just might save your back one day. :-) Not to mention, it sure would make moving it into place easier! Take care and all the best to you and yours!
P.S. I’m a professional wood turner, so if I can ever help you with a woodturning related question, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Steve Russell
EWW, WVP, EWWFS
The Woodlands, Texas
-- Better Woodturning and Finishing Through Chemistry... http://www.woodturningvideosplus.com