Creating a Customized Portable Lathe Station

1 Step by Step constructioninstruction. A complete bill of materials. Exploded view and elevationdrawings. How-to photos with instructivecaptions. Tips to help you complete theproject and become a download these plans,you will need Adobe Readerinstalled on your computer. If you want to geta free copy, you can get it at: Adobe trouble downloading the plans? If you're using Microsoft InternetExplorer, right click on the download linkand select "Save Target As" to downloadto your local drive. If you're using Netscape, right click onthe download link and select "Save LinkAs" to download to your local America s leading woodworking authority Creating a CustomizedPortable Lathe StationPublished in Woodworker s Journal Practical Woodworking.

2 Proven Projects, Tips and Tricks from Fellow Woodworkers WOODWORKER'S JOURNAL 2007 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 6 GREAT FEATURESnHandy storagenMobilitynStabilitynVersatile lightingnReady sharpeningnEasy tool access16 SHOP PROJECTS PVC poles foradjustable tasklighting Powerstrip ismountedto back of notched shelf, mounted to the frame of the Lathe ,accommodatestool landscape timbers anchorthe base and minimize holesare bored forthe task light-ing entire fixture rests onfour foot pads that lift thebase above the level of platformslides tightlyinto Lathe accessto the grinderStrategically placedcasters provide lightsWOODWORKER'S JOURNAL 2007 ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDQ uick access to your grinder is one of the key featuresthat makes this Lathe Station a winner.

3 Deep holes provide a solid foundation for the fixture s task lighting another of the author s home shop floor-standinglathes are well designed machines rightout of the shipping carton. But, a goodmachine can usually be made evenbetter with a few enhancements. Ourlathe Station will set you back about$75 and take about a day to construct,but it will add storage, mass and betterlighting right where you need it the design you see here wasintended for our JET Lathe , the con-cepts can be adapted to virtually anymid-sized Lathe brand or base first order of business is toadd enough weight to ensure that yourlathe stays put under duress.

4 Ourheavy-duty base adds significant massand rigidity to the stand, and it helps toreduce vibration while turning large oreccentric stock. Portability results fromcasters strategically positioned innotches cut into the base timbers. To provide a four-point stance, add3/4" plywood pads below the notchedlandscape timbers. When you re readyto move the Station , simply pick up thetailstock end until the casters clear thepads (about 20 ). Center the Lathe onthe bottom subassembly and bolt it inplace. Drill a series of deep holes onthe back edge of the base so you canreposition a lamp pole wherever youneed the light as you added other custom features,including handy tool storage and abed-mounted grinder platform fortouching up your chisel edges withouthaving to move away from the Portable Lathe Station 17 Creating a CustomizedPortable Lathe StationLathes are one category of shop machinery that are easy to soup up for improvedperformance and convenience.

5 Our Lathe Station will add portability, tool storage,sharpening capability and task lighting to your machine for around $ grinder jig s T-shaped base is sizedto fit into the slot in the Lathe bed. Use a couple long carriage bolts and wingnuts to bolt the base to a second fillerpiece that fits underneath the bed railand clamps the jig drilled a series of different sizedholes in the top shelf for accommodat-ing chisel and related tool storage. Power for the grinder and otherauxiliary items (lights, sander, and soforth) comes from a power strip mount-ed vertically on the stand leg (not visiblein the photoat left) under the lathemotor.

6 This placement facilitates accessand yet is out of the way of any turningoperation. Note: Don t use this powerstrip to provide primary power to thelathe motor the amperage won t besufficient for the lamp pole concept is betterthan clamping task lights directly toyour Lathe : it keeps them clear of turn-ing tools or spinning blanks and pro-longs the bulb life by reducing extravibration. The holes also allow you toreposition the light for both grinding andturning operations. Use ordinary clamp-on lamps to simplify height may also want to add a coupleof boxes to store the multitude ofchucks, faceplates, centers and otherturning and finishing materials you resure to add to your collection.

7 With a Customized stand like this,turning will never be 'S JOURNAL 2007 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED