Granite Table tops

[nuhobby]

Or statues!

You guys keep carrying on like this but you really can't take this trend for granite.

[JPG]

You guys keep carrying on like this but you really can't take this trend for granite.

This too shall pass!:rolleyes:

[psf513]

I nearly bought one a year ago and now wish I had. I have a lathe with a granite bed and I am thrilled with it. I know there are draw backs but hot having to worry about rust, truing, etc would seem to be worth the minor inconveniences

[a1gutterman]

I nearly bought one a year ago and now wish I had. I have a lathe with a granite bed and I am thrilled with it. I know there are draw backs but hot having to worry about rust, truing, etc would seem to be worth the minor inconveniences

Hi Pete,

Forgive me this question, but my turning experience is limited, and I must be dense: How do you use a granite bed with a lathe? I mean, what wood you use ANY bed for on a lathe???

[horologist]

Hi Pete,

Forgive me this question, but my turning experience is limited, and I must be dense: How do you use a granite bed with a lathe? I mean, what wood you use ANY bed for on a lathe???

Tim,
The bed is the foundation of the lathe that supports headstock, tailstock and tool post. The ways are on top of the bed. Normally the bed is made from steel or cast iron, while granite sounds interesting I'm not sure if there is any advantage in using this material. I would be concerned about long term wear, damage due to impact, or cracks forming due to tensile stresses.

Troy

[iclark]

Hi Pete,

Forgive me this question, but my turning experience is limited, and I must be dense: How do you use a granite bed with a lathe? I mean, what wood you use ANY bed for on a lathe???

Tim,

in SS terms, for "bed" think SS bench tubes, tie bar, base assembly, and headrest assembly. the bed supports the tool slide and supports and aligns the lathe power head/drive spindle and tail stock.

Troy has already pointed out that the granite has the same sort of problems as cast iron (less the rust).

Ivan

[a1gutterman]

Tim,
The bed is the foundation of the lathe that supports headstock, tailstock and tool post. The ways are on top of the bed. Normally the bed is made from steel or cast iron, while granite sounds interesting I'm not sure if there is any advantage in using this material. I would be concerned about long term wear, damage due to impact, or cracks forming due to tensile stresses.

Troy

Tim,

in SS terms, for "bed" think SS bench tubes, tie bar, base assembly, and headrest assembly. the bed supports the tool slide and supports and aligns the lathe power head/drive spindle and tail stock.

Troy has already pointed out that the granite has the same sort of problems as cast iron (less the rust).

Ivan

Thanks guys, I get that. So what difference does it make what the material of the bed is? Other then hold all the parts together, it does nothing that wood make one material better then another, right?

[curiousgeorge]

Thanks guys, I get that. So what difference does it make what the material of the bed is? Other then hold all the parts together, it does nothing that wood make one material better then another, right?

Nothing other than, like he said, granite won't rust.

[psf513]

Granite won't rust and it certainly has less expansion and cotraction under heat and cold.

Sorry to have confused anyone. I failed to translate to SS

[beeg]

Granite won't rust, BUT it will crack and break.