Lathe cart

I just bought a Jet 1014VSI Mini Lathe (had too, it was 20% off) and am in the process of purchasing “stuff” to go with it. I ordered a set of HSS chisels and gouges, bought a Super Nova 2 chuck and a 25mm jaw (comes with a 50 mm jaw), set of calipers, and a face shield.

My “shop” is my half of the garage so all my tools are accordioned together on roller cabinets so I can expand when The Bride moves her car to go to work. I don’t have the floor space for a lathe stand so I will make a cart for the lathe on one end and a grinding station on the other end. I last turned in Jr. High in ’58 and the only thing I remember is that I enjoyed it.

My question is, what is the ideal height of the axis in relation to body parts (elbow, ribs, sternum, arm pit, etc.). . Right now, it sits on my TS extension table and the axis is about sternum height which seems too high. In pictures, it looks like the axis averages about elbow height. What do you all suggest?

Thanks

Depends a lot on what you are turning, but standing normally with the arm bent at the elbow, the point of the elbow is the starting point. From there you adjust upward until you find the level that is most comfortable for you, your turning style, and what you turn. Spindles you tend to feel more comfortable at a lower level. Hollow forms up a bit from that. Bowls up a bit more. I have one of the highest lathes that I've ever seen even though I'm only 5'7". That's just my style though. Your milage will vary. Enjoy the process.

Doug Miller said:

Depends a lot on what you are turning, but standing normally with the arm bent at the elbow, the point of the elbow is the starting point. From there you adjust upward until you find the level that is most comfortable for you, your turning style, and what you turn. Spindles you tend to feel more comfortable at a lower level. Hollow forms up a bit from that. Bowls up a bit more. I have one of the highest lathes that I've ever seen even though I'm only 5'7". That's just my style though. Your milage will vary. Enjoy the process.

Click to expand...

Agree with Doug, it will depend on your own comfort zone... I'm just under 6'1" (most of the time I lie and say 6'1"), but I have my cart built so the axis is right at 47"... elbow height when I stand next to it with the arm bent... my Jet1442 is about 1 or 2 inches shorter and still comfortable for me.

I agree as well that it is a personal comfort thing....I started out low, went a little higher to elbow level and then a little higher than that.

I used some 2X and 4X scraps to prop my lathe up and played "air lathe" for a little while figuring it out. Even after that I changed everything...

Bottom line get it off that TS wing, as you'll need that to stack bowl blanks and rough outs soon enough.

Make sure to take some pics of what you come up with too.

Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll start at elbow height and see how that feels.