lathe question

bergdahl · Post by **bergdahl** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:13 pm

I've been using my lathe a lot and my back is killing me. The machine is too
low. Any good suggestions for either extending the legs or making some type
of a good solid device to set the machine on? Thanks!

flyslinger · Post by **flyslinger** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:28 pm

Hi Bergdahl,
Ideally you want the center of the lathe to be at your elbow, so what I did was make a couple of 7.5" x 7.5" wide boxes x the width of the stand of my SS legs and that took all the stress off my back. also put a couple of braces at the ends of the boxes so they would not roll. Hope this helps. What kind of things are you turning?

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:33 pm

Check out this thread

http://www.Shopsmith.net/forums/showthread.htm?t=143

Also Google had several other recommendations around raising the Shopsmith 7" using concrete blocks.

bergdahl · Post by **bergdahl** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 5:49 pm

Thanks for the advice. I've been turning bowls for a couple of years and have now started with pens. Having a lot of fun.

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:52 pm

Would be kinda cool if Shopsmith came up with some kind of legs that would fold down to raise the hight when using the lathe.

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 12:28 am

cincinnati wrote:Would be kinda cool if Shopsmith came up with some kind of legs that would fold down to raise the hight when using the lathe.

That is a good idea. I am thinking more along the lines of legs that will extend down rather then fold, though. Like the adjustable support legs they already have. Maybe a person could buy a couple sets of extension ladder adjustable legs and somehow mount them to his/her Mark V. Do knot look at me for this experiment, as I am short (or if you are PC; vertically challenged), and the height of the Mark V is workable for me.

kalynzoo · Post by **kalynzoo** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 12:55 am

Guess being less than tall has its advantages. At 5'8", the SS seems to be just the right height.
Anyway. I find the true value of the SS, to me, is that it is such a solid platform for tool and attachment operation. That said, I would want any riser to be as solid and free from vibration as the SS. I think I would cut down 4 plastic buckets (or wooden boxes if you want to be fancy) to height, and then fill them with concrete. Perhaps even making divots for the rollers. Just and idea, but it sounds solid.