Lathe Foot Print

As some people have limited space to fit a Lathe it may be useful to list the size or space needed. Ignoring the fact that you may need overhang on the end of the machine.

I'll start the ball rolling

Boxford MKIII 24" between centres 1200mm x 450mm without the rear swarf guard

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When you say 'footprint' to you mean the area actually touching the floor by the cabinet or the area of the swarf tray.?

Nick

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I think that would qualify as "Waist Size"

But it might be useful to list both.

MichaelG.

Nick,

good point I think the largest size would be the one to opt for or both tray and floor, as some like the Chipmaster have a taper to the floor.

Edited By Bob Brown 1 on 07/08/2014 11:31:58

Chipmaster 5' x 2'6" based on their foundation plan. This doesn't allow for the end cover swing, which adds significantly more. I have mine with the tailstock end against the wall and the headstock about 2' 6" out from the wall, so I have some access behind. Chippie electrics are on the back of the headstock and every time I have to retrieve a part/spanner. etc from behind, it is a royal PITA So access needs to be considered.

Borrowed space.

My mate Barrie has his Myford mounted so that the headstock end is against the wall with enough room to open the change wheel guard and no more. Concentric to the mandrel he has a circular hole in the wall lined with a piece of plastic pipe. In order to machine long material the rubber bung that keeps the wind out is removed and the stock can be fed down the mandrel and out through the hole thus making the workshop for this operation as long as the garden. This is the second iteration of this idea as his first set up required opening the window.

I wonder how many other people have handy solutions to space issues that work well in single user workshops like ours but would be impossible in an industrial environment.

regards Martin

Isn't what matters the actual size needed to operate the lathe comfortably and safely, allowing for change gears, poking things through the headstock and .operating the tailstock/leadscrew handwheels. For larger lathes there m,ay be the need to get right round the back.

Fro a mini lathe of 300mm nominal between centres it's benchspace of about 1000 x 300mm. Although a wider bench may be useful.

Neil

It was more to do with a comparison of size, you still need room to operate it and if you take the Boxford or the Chipmaster access is needed for the change wheels etc less on a Boxford than the Chipmaster.

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Neil,

I am sorry to say that I think you have just hit the Abort Button on Bob's excellent idea.

As proposed, this would have resulted in a simple collection of useful facts; which I was rather hoping you would see fit to tabulate neatly, for the collective good.

If we start trying to assess workspace requirements then it will become a mass of opinions, and the usual never-ending debate.

MichaelG.

Maybe, Bob's first sentence was: "As some people have limited space to fit a Lathe it may be useful to list the size or space needed. "

Perhaps a compromise is to list the actual size with an estimate of a reasonable space to suit that lathe? We also need a consistent definition of footprint, so I suggest overall length and depth Ingnoring overhang of the crossslide handwheel./apron handwheel etc. as these can reasonably intrude into the 'operator space'.

For avoidance of doubt CL300M mini lathe is 830 x 220mm, with the tailstock right at the end of the bed and ignoring modifications.

Super Adept is 13 x 3" (330mm x 80mm), and, as I'm sure JS will wish to observe, fits neatly in a waste bin.

Neil

My original idea was to get the dimensions at the longest and widest points be that at the floor or at the level of the swarf tray e.g. the floor area occupied/footprint of the machine. When you try to find these details it can be tricky, along with the weights, the latter is not easy to measure so left that one.

I was not interested in any sticky out bits like handles and the like or what people think is needed around the machine. Most machines will need some space around them, lots at the front no doubt, a small amount at the tail stock end with possibly more at the head stock end and may be some at the rear but that is all subjective.

Edited By Bob Brown 1 on 07/08/2014 21:27:50

I installed my Myford with limited access to the rear of the machine, also just sufficient room for (what seemed) reasonable access to the drive end.

That was about ten years ago, I was quite agile then, now I am approaching 70 and my joints etc do not work so well, the access behind the lathe is proving a real nightmare, the change wheel etc access is none too good either!

Hopefully I will be moving workshop by year end and will try not to make the same mistakes again, being able to walk around the machine will have be an absolute minimum next time, achieving that nirvana may be something else!

I can confidently predict that a whole set of new mistakes will occur though!

Machine footprints only tell a very small part of the story.

Edited By V8Eng on 07/08/2014 21:51:38

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I would respectfully suggest that the word "footprint" is already quite adequately defined by common useage ... based on anthropometry ... it is the "contact patch".

This is why we also suggested specifying dimensions of the tray [or whatever].

MichaelG.

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... and also the button that lights-up the sign for the Studio Audience, saying "Laugh Now"

This was a serious topic: Surely we could give the Super Adept jokes a rest.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 07/08/2014 22:09:12

Overall basic dimension would be a great starting point. The need to access change wheels and remove draw bars is all a little academic if the machine won't fit to start with.

Further investigation into a specific model should highlight the operational requirements.

It could be noted that most lathes will need about 2-3 feet of operating space in front and "some" additional space either side for maintenance and set up.

John

Edited By John Bromley on 07/08/2014 22:05:27

Lets see what we have to date

Boxford under drive 1200mm x 450mm

Chipmaster 1524mm x 762mm

CL300M mini lathe 830mm x 220mm

Super Adept is 330mm x 80mm

not a lot!

As a point of interest Colchester's recommended space for a long bed Bantam is 9 feet x 7 feet 6 inches although it is only 1630mm x 648mm 64.125" x 25.5 including cross slide hand wheel.

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Thanks, Bob ... That puts things in perspective:

That recommended space is just a little less than my whole workshop [it wouldn't leave room for a decent bench].

MichaelG.

At our first house - space was limited, so I cantilevered the lathe out from the wall so the bonnet of the car could pass underneath the bed of the lathe (no cabinet). Not ideal, but it worked.

BobH

here's another one

Harrison
M300 1750mm x 940mm
M300 long bed 2130mm x 940mm

Overall machine weight 710kg / 790kg