Lathe Stand

Nice work Darrell

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

nice work, when did you get the rikon? Did you ever get than old craftsman running that was your dads? Thats a nice lathe btw. my next big tool purchase will be a lathe or band saw maybe, or atleast i can dream about it.

-- Got Wood?

Thanks Jim and Joe. Joe, I bought the lathe last June when Woodcraft had them on sale. I still have dads old lathe. I need to get the keyway along the bottom of the tube secured, replace the bearings and find a new tool rest holder. It works but it’s not safe having to drive a wedge under the tool rest holder to keep it steady.

-- Darell, Norman, Ok.

That’s a beautiful piece. I especially like the drawer for the chisels. A great addition to any shop. -SST

-- Accuracy is not in your power tool, it's in you

very nice this looks far better than any bought base.Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

Great job. Looks very nice. How do you like that Rikon lathe?

-- Wayne - Plymouth MN

Wow, I love this. Much better than mine.

-- Bob A in NJ

Good job Darell. Do you like the Rikon?
I am thinking of getting a lathe again. I have a DC motor and would like to use it instead of an AC. Wish I could find a mini w/o a motor.

-- jstegall

Nice work

-- A hammer dangling from a wall will bang and sound like work when the wind blows the right way.

Yep – looks like this fine cabinet will serve you for many years, well done.

Thanks for sharing.

-- ~ SgtSnafu - Central North Carolina

Greetings Darell,

I was impressed and admired your shop when you posted some three months ago—my, how time can fly right by!

Now, that’s a stand/cabinet I would undertake for my own. August Home Publishing has done a careful and wonderful job of presenting real-world projects in a manner I can understand—the first time!
ShopNotes is an all-out informative and inspirational treat.

I’m determined to use more poplar; easy and responsive. Though I know staining can be tricky.

In a current world of published plans calling for 5” casters everywhere, how are those three-inchers working for you?

Some time down the road you’ll have to give us a long-term, pro/con report on this lathe of yours.

Finally, how’s that handsome, long-eared buddy of yours doin’?

Warm regards,
Peter

When I ever get a lathe, I’m copying this!

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

I’m with Charlie.
When I get a lathe, I’m copying this.
(OK, I’ll try to make one this nice!)

Nice Job Darell.
Now let those chips fly !!!

-- Eric

Darell, That’s one nice cabinet for your lathe. I love the drawer for your turning tools. That’s a great idea. I’m sure that will be a pleasure to work with.

-- John @ Myrtle Beach

Darell, you have made yourself a very nice cabinet. I also like the drawer for the turning tools. I am planning on updating some of my took bases and this is one of them.

-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.

Hi Darell, I think you did a great job on this project. I wish I would have used drawers
on mine when I built it.

-- Ron, Michigan

I too like this stand very much. More like a dresser than a workshop cabinet. The chisel drawer without a bottom does make me nervous. One bump or mis-grab for the chisel …...... Murphy’s law says it will always land on the ground point first. Hope that never happens to you.
Keep making sawdust.

-- Mike, Waukesha, WI

Nice work Darell! I’m glad you posted, I’m building the same lathe cabinet and am down to dealing with the lower left side compartment. I was going to leave it open per the drawings but now I think I’ll copy your idea of installing drawers.

Very nice work!!!

-- Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines! Mike D.

SnowyRiver & John, I like the Rikon just fine. My experience is about the same as the two reviews posted on this site about the Rikon. Everything was great right out of the box. It’s quiet and heavy enough that for turning some pens I didn’t even have to bolt it down to my workbench. It never moved at all so vibration hasn’t been a factor. Might be with something heavier like a bowl or large spindle. I used a Rikon and a Jet while taking a couple of classes at Woodcraft. Both are nice lathes but I like the Rikon better. It’s much easier to get to the belt to change speeds. Rikon has a variable speed version coming out soon but I read it’s almost twice the price.

Peter, my handsome long eared buddy is doing well for almost 10 years old. He and I take a 30 minute walk almost every morning. He gets upset if we don’t go. You asked about the castors, well, they could be better. I can see where 5” castors might work better. That thing is HEAVY! It’s not unmanageble to move but does take some effort. Could be the cheap HF castors though.

Mike, I thought about dropping chisels through the bottoms too but my floor is plywood so there wouldn’t be much harm done. Unless iit hit my foot.

Glad everyone likes it. Thanks to all for the kind comments.

-- Darell, Norman, Ok.

Outstanding, great build. I must remember the bottomless drawer idea when and if I ever get around to modifing the stand that came with my lathe. I need mass and gouge storage. This project will hit the list of favorites. BTKS

Nice cabinet Darrel. The one I built for my Jet can only be called a stand, and I wish I had seen this first. If you are concerned about dropping a tool through your bottomless drawer (great idea!) you might consider some coarse screen (what my garandfather called ‘chicken wire’) across the bottom that will stop a tool but let the dust by.

-- Chris

That’s friggin awesome.

-- Bud, NY, http://tpww.libsyn.com/