Lathe wood/metal stand and wheels

Hi

I wasn't sure in what sub-forum to post this... hope it's ok here.

I'm going to buy a new lathe and it weighs about 170kg. I guess with some extra stuff and tools it might weigh about 200kg.

A friend can make a wood table/stand for it. It will be less expensive than it would be from a stranger and it will be very good because I know this person (made me a couple of things before, seen more of the things he built, etc.).

Of course it depends on specifics but I guess my question is if there is a basic issue with having a wood lathe stand? I'm sure it can support the weight since they just made a wood stand that supports 500kg but maybe because it's a lathe it's important?

I can find someone to make a metal stand but it's a hassle because I don't know anyone, don't know someone who knows, I won't really know if they will do a good job or not, etc. (I've tried some recommended people for some stuff in the past and was disappointed).

Another question is whether it's a problem to have it on wheels (with brakes)? For specific reasons to do with where the lathe is going to be and how it's necessary to move it there, having the stand on wheel and bringing it on the stand itself would be a huge help. Moving it on wheel and then removing them is a bit of an issue.

Thanks

If solidly built I think wood would be OK for a fixed stand but if it's to be moved about I'd personally go for welded steel if at possible.

You may get vibration problems if the stand is on wheels, especially if the wheels have hard tyres or are on castors. Big fat pneumatic tyres might be OK.

I'd try it and see what happens. If the wheels cause vibration, I'd put removable blocks and wedges under the stand to take the weight off the wobbly wheels and provide a firmer platform. Alternatively you might be able to find a suitable "Appliance Trolley" to provide temporary wheels.

Dave

Nitai, something like these from Axminster might suit your purpose, they will take a max load of 226kg, when released, the legs of the bench will sit on the ground

It's not that unusual with a small lathe to use wheels and it will still be reasonably accurate etc for most work. I suggest you don't tighten all 4 bolts on the lathe feet fully so the floor/bench flexing does not twist the bed and it is allowed to align itself as best it can.
Worth looking at some of the steel toolchests around as they are pretty strong. and have a fair weight rating.
It might be an idea to use just 2 non castors in the centre which is very easy to manoeuvre then arrange 2 fixed feet at one end and 2 jack down at the other end to take it off the wheels in place. Even wedges at the end and a crowbar to lift would work.

Thanks.

As far as moving the stand, I will only bring it to the current owner of the lathe and it will be moved on the stand to my place. Once it's in place I don't plan on moving it again.

There are a lot of specifics to do with where the lathe and stand are going to be, how it's possible to move them there, etc. that make a custom made stand necessary. I can't get any type of crane here or anything like that and it would have to be pushed into the corner.

With the way the stand has to be shaped, I think it could have 8 or even 10 feet/wheels.
One option that might be possible is to have both wheels and those adjustable feet, raising them when moving it in place, then lowering them, or even removing the wheels once it's in place. I'm not sure how to connect them to a wood stand but I imagine it's possible.

I can try to post a rough sketch of what the shape of the stand has to be and where it would fit.

Edited By Nitai Levi on 02/10/2016 08:04:28

you could get a length of 12 or 15mm mm rod from builders merchant . drill a hole through the bottom of the end  2 feet , say 25mm up & pass it through. fit 2no 150mm diam  wheels from internet.( do not have to be a perfect fit) screw  2 pieces of 3*2 handles on the other end to wheel the stand like a wheelbarrow- let them stick out a bit for leverage & then remove the lot when in place. You can easily move 300 KG like that as the wheels will take half the load . If you have more than 4 legs put the wheels in the inner legs so the weight is balanced more evenly. Push into place as near as possible. Then you cut the 3*2 handles up for blocks & using a nail bar lift the stand to remove the wheels once in place

Cheap & easy

Edited By Sam Longley 1 on 02/10/2016 08:29:58

Edited By Sam Longley 1 on 02/10/2016 08:30:50

Not sure about fitting wheels but my Corbett has been sitting on a wooden bench for over 20 years, it has 4"x 4"" legs and a thick plywood top and have had no problems, for some reason timber seems more comfortable than steel benches and my mill and bench drill also are on timber, also seems to cut out vibration

Cheers Mick

OK I made a very rough sketch of the space from above. I'm colourblind so can't really explain anything by the colours, I just chose random ones to make them different

The small black thing near the top left is where electric sockets are and they are pretty low. The lighter parts of the stand are the areas that need to be "open", though there's one mistake, the right one can have a plate at the back and doesn't need to be open all the way to the back.

I thought to have full horizontal plates at the bottom (just above the feet or wheels), with vertical plates connecting them. Sorry I don't know the terms (it's my second language), so maybe they are called something else in English.

The dark outline is approximately where the lathe is going to be. I think I could put some beams in the area under the headstock to make it stronger as long as the sockets have enough access.

The round things are possible places for wheels or feet.