Lathe location

What I did when I started was to draw the garage to scale on graph paper. And then make scale outlines of the machine tools; not forgetting to include the mill table being moved to it's extremes. You can then play with various locations without having to actually move the machines.

Having said that, if I'd known how many machines I was going to eventually acquire I'd have organised the workshop differently.

Andrew

I quite liked having my lathe at 45 degrees to the wall after years of it sitting against the back wall. I think it may have made slightly better use of the floor space but I suspect the benefit was mainly that it broke up the otherwise rather unimaginative, rectilinear layout. It also freed up valuable wall space.

One of the most useful machines in my workshop has always been the engine crane. As different fads have taken a grip of me, I have moved stuff about to give better acces to the gear I will use most, including the Bantam and the Bridgeport. That flexibility is probably more valuable to me than trying to find the definitive layout. Besides, you should always be planning on more acquisitions. You can figure out how to fit them all in later...

Murray

Enough space to fit drawbars or longer lengths of bar that need supporting? Best have the one with the wider spindle clearance towards the middle of the garage? The stand with mg Raglan has a cupboard in the front and coolant space (or other) accessed from the rear, so best spaced away from everything!

Don't put the back of a lathe against a wall if you have room. I did not have the room and regret not being able to get to the back of the lathe (just once in a while). Don't use the excuse if you have already done so that it is a good place to hide stuff you don't need. Sooner or later you will need something and once again you will have problems.

JA