Author Topic: Lathe Height  (Read 15631 times)

Offline fatal-exception

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Lathe Height
« on: September 06, 2017, 11:55:35 AM »
Hey guys. I'm debating building some stilts for my lathe stands to bring up the center height. The old back gets a bit sore after hunching over for extended periods.

What's the ideal center height? I'm 5'8" (173cm) so I would say about average height. Why does it seem that all import lathes are too short? This is my second lathe, and it's the same center height +/- as my first Craftex lathe.

Thanks for any input.

Paul

Offline seadog

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #1 on: September 06, 2017, 12:57:58 PM »
Hi Paul, I think the recommendation is that the centre height is the distance from the floor to your elbow, with your lower arm held horizontally across your stomach.
I raised my Boxford approximately 4" and I find it's perfect. I'm about the same height as you.

Graham

Offline Lew_Merrick_PE

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #2 on: September 06, 2017, 01:57:45 PM »
Hi Paul -- I grew up with the same advice as Graham gave you, but in my later life (now 63) I have raised my spindles by 4 inches to make micrometers and dial indicators more readable to my (now) bespectacled eyes.

Offline chipenter

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #3 on: September 06, 2017, 03:18:39 PM »
For me its the height of the handles , if you are hunched over using manual feed , for any lenth of time my back and sholders hurt .
Jeff

Offline charadam

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #4 on: September 06, 2017, 03:30:20 PM »
Have you considered using a high stool?

Works for me at 186cm tall and with a dodgy back.

Offline seadog

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #5 on: September 06, 2017, 03:49:52 PM »
63? You're a toungster Lew. I'm well into 65  :D

Offline awemawson

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #6 on: September 06, 2017, 04:02:32 PM »
You're both youngsters - I'm 68 today  :lol:
Andrew Mawson
East Sussex

Offline seadog

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #7 on: September 06, 2017, 04:21:40 PM »
Happy birthday Andrew  :beer:

Offline mattinker

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #8 on: September 06, 2017, 04:58:12 PM »
Sorry to high-jack the thread!

You're both youngsters - I'm 68 today  :lol:

Happy Birthday Andrew!!

Offline Neubert1975

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #9 on: September 06, 2017, 05:00:40 PM »
You're both youngsters - I'm 68 today  :lol:
Happy birthday  :beer:
Fron the young one, on only 2A years (or was it 42  :smart:  )

Offline awemawson

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #10 on: September 06, 2017, 05:03:16 PM »
Thanks chaps - I have to pinch myself and calculate these days to check how old I am - certainly don't feel 68 until something needs doing down at ground level, then reality sinks in  :lol:
Andrew Mawson
East Sussex

Offline bpud

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #11 on: September 06, 2017, 06:46:09 PM »
Agree with everyone else, get the twirly bits at or above elbow height.  I'm 5'9" and my mini lathe spindle centreline is at 4'2".  I'm an arthritic 70, as of last Monday..............
cheers
Bill

Offline Will_D

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #12 on: September 06, 2017, 06:49:46 PM »
The elbow height check was originally given for setting the height of vice jaws. This is so the hacksaw cuts nicely at 90 to the work piece (set flush'ish with top of jaws).

A long long time ago when I first set up my ML7 I set the top of the compound slide to "elbow" height. 
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Offline NormanV

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #13 on: September 07, 2017, 02:41:20 AM »
I am 6' tall and have my spindle at just over 4' and I still find myself stooping over it. I would like it another 3" higher.

Offline SwarfnStuff

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #14 on: September 07, 2017, 04:33:34 AM »
Yup,
     Elbow height is good but I'm coming to the conclusion as I begin my 77th orbit of the sun that Elbow plus a hand might be better.
      As Lew said the closer the better for spectacle wearers (Within reason else the loupe might be needed).
     Andrew M , I find that floor level stuff really becomes a problem when trying to get back up. Gravity really works against me then.
John B
Converting good metal into swarf sometimes ending up with something useful. ;-)

Offline Pete W.

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #15 on: September 07, 2017, 07:31:28 AM »
Sorry to high-jack the thread!

You're both youngsters - I'm 68 today  :lol:

Happy Birthday Andrew!!
 

+1 from me, congratulations.

I've got to say it - I'll see your 68 and raise you 12!!   :D   :D   :D   :lol:   :lol:   :lol: 
(and that was back in April!) 
Best regards,

Pete W.

If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, you haven't seen the latest design change-note!

Offline Fergus OMore

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #16 on: September 07, 2017, 12:45:33 PM »
Sorry to high-jack the thread!

You're both youngsters - I'm 68 today  :lol:

Happy Birthday Andrew!!
 


I can add a Magnificent Seven- and make it 87!

Cheers me dears!

Norm

+1 from me, congratulations.

I've got to say it - I'll see your 68 and raise you 12!!   :D   :D   :D   :lol:   :lol:   :lol: 
(and that was back in April!)

Offline howsitwork?

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #17 on: September 08, 2017, 04:09:17 PM »
Blimey a collection of "SAGA LOUTS", who'd have guessed.  :jaw: :proj: :jaw: :jaw:

Wishing you all many more years to pass on your collective wisdom to us all ,😇

Ian

Ps I built all. My lathe workbenches to give me centre height just above elbow level, but fotgot to allow for the thickness of the worktop on the wood lathe( oops 🤢) but on the bright side that makes planing cuts with a skew chisel much easier to do !

Offline Pete W.

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #18 on: September 09, 2017, 04:54:41 AM »
Blimey a collection of "SAGA LOUTS", who'd have guessed.  :jaw: :proj: :jaw: :jaw:

Wishing you all many more years to pass on your collective wisdom to us all ,😇

Ian

Ps I built all. My lathe workbenches to give me centre height just above elbow level, but fotgot to allow for the thickness of the worktop on the wood lathe( oops 🤢) but on the bright side that makes planing cuts with a skew chisel much easier to do !
 

Oops!!  Sorry, I tried to include a web link but the FaceBook log-in page got in the way!!!

Best regards,

Pete W.

If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, you haven't seen the latest design change-note!

Offline WeldingRod

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #19 on: August 20, 2018, 10:11:47 PM »
Since this has been hijacked once already...
High!  You want the lowest handwheel at elbow height.  And buy a rubber mat to stand on!

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Offline AdeV

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #20 on: August 26, 2018, 08:13:45 PM »
I'd love to have my lathe a bit higher - at 6'4" in my underpants, a few hours at the lathe is a recipe for a sore back...

However, having once managed to lift it an inch, an effort which took the best part of an afternoon and copious amounts of sweat, I need to find a better way than a 5ft pry bar!
Cheers!
Ade.
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Occasionally: Zhengzhou, China. An even longer way from anywhere...

Offline Mike E.

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #21 on: August 28, 2018, 03:51:31 PM »
Elevating my Boxford lathe so the center of apron handwheel matches my elbow height is ideal for me. I'm 6' tall.
Mike

California & Wales  - Home, & Home Away

Offline PekkaNF

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #22 on: August 29, 2018, 05:36:33 AM »
The elbow height comes from old visdom when you need power like filing. Think of vice, clamp iron and start filing.




https://ergo-plus.com/fundamental-ergonomic-principles/

There is a difference when arms are used to manipulate something on confortable height. Think of drawing board.

It is actually beneficial to have to move a little on not too essential controls (as long as you don't need to hunch over something dangerous or reach too far to trip) ocassionally. In modern offices peope have way more restricted mobility on "mouse hand" than non-rodent-hand.

Long winded story...where I am getting at?

When lifting: Hands should be in "Power zone" when reaching or lifting or using heavy controls. This is standing position. This ofcourse has a little consideration if the parts you machine are very light weigh and your milling machine has no 1930 lever operated clutch.

When working (sitting or standing): the hands should lie comfortably on the most used controls. And E-stop (button, stomp bar) should be easy to operate.

I see some people hunching over a small lathe like vultures over carcass, that can't be too comfortable. Clock makers lathe table is diferent than floor mounted affair.

Habits are hard to break...I mounted one lathe to "perfect" height. I made the table. 15 years later it is time to come clean and make a new table for it ....it is too low, I can comfortably hunch over it. The thing was - it was perfect height for my vision, now I need glasses (and often magnifying lense), I would like to have it "closer".

Pekka

Offline chipenter

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #23 on: August 29, 2018, 03:11:03 PM »
The stop start button on the clubs Colchester Master is just above knee height , as I was screw cutting a metric thread on a imperial lathe , stop reverse stop forward repeat until done this got old very quickly especially as you cant see the buttons .
Jeff

Offline AdeV

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #24 on: August 30, 2018, 02:02:35 PM »
The stop start button on the clubs Colchester Master is just above knee height , as I was screw cutting a metric thread on a imperial lathe , stop reverse stop forward repeat until done this got old very quickly especially as you cant see the buttons .

My Bridgeport's e-stop button is at almost exactly knee height. I soon learned to stand well away from the control box whilst milling...
Cheers!
Ade.
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Occasionally: Zhengzhou, China. An even longer way from anywhere...

Offline awemawson

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #25 on: August 30, 2018, 02:40:20 PM »
The Bridgeport eStop at knee level is EXTREMELY handy Ade when power feeding on the X axis, and the handle gets caught up in your workshop coat pocket and drags you along. AMHIK  :lol:

Andrew Mawson
East Sussex

Offline Will_D

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #26 on: September 02, 2018, 05:39:51 AM »
So its called a KneeStop
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Offline chipenter

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #27 on: September 02, 2018, 09:00:13 AM »
I have since found out that if you flip the reverse lever with it running that stops the motor , so I didn't need to have my finger on the stop button hunched over as I was screwcutting to a sholder .
Jeff

Offline Lew_Merrick_PE

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #28 on: October 22, 2020, 10:26:45 PM »
You're both youngsters - I'm 68 today  :lol:
Hi Seadog  --  In another week I turn 67.  --  Lew

Offline Sea.dog

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #29 on: October 23, 2020, 07:13:48 AM »
Pah! Heading speedily towards 69 Lew  :D

Offline mattinker

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #30 on: October 23, 2020, 07:27:25 AM »
Pah! Heading speedily towards 69 Lew  :D

Me too!
Cheers, Matthew

Offline awemawson

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #31 on: October 23, 2020, 08:00:49 AM »
Which with me at 71 STILL makes you a pair of youngsters all these years on!
Andrew Mawson
East Sussex

Offline Sea.dog

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #32 on: October 23, 2020, 11:57:50 AM »
But percentage-wise we're gaining on you, Andrew  :D

Offline philf

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #33 on: October 23, 2020, 02:27:13 PM »
Phil Fern
Location: Marple, Cheshire

Offline Fergus OMore

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #34 on: October 23, 2020, 06:15:40 PM »
                                                             90 now  :clap:

My contribution to this  unforgiving world is to re-cycle as many whisky bottles as it is humanely possible .
                                                               Hic!



                                All lathes are now to tall to tall. I'm either drinking or shrinking!

Offline chipenter

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #35 on: October 24, 2020, 02:14:54 AM »
The older I get the more critical the lathe height becomes  , and the heavier the chucks get .
Jeff

Offline mattinker

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #36 on: October 24, 2020, 06:00:02 AM »
Andrew,
I don't want to start catching you up in age!!

Cheers, Matthew

Offline ajax

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #37 on: October 28, 2020, 01:33:45 PM »
Elevating my Boxford lathe so the center of apron handwheel matches my elbow height is ideal for me. I'm 6' tall.

Did you add feet or a frame for the lathe to stand on? I have a Denford Viceroy lathe that shares some similarities to Boxfords, hence my interest. The lathe is quite top heavy so I think a wider frame may be the safest option.

Offline Muzzerboy

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #38 on: October 28, 2020, 04:11:45 PM »
For my Bantam, I bought a set of those rubber machine feet and fitted them on small hollow spacers, giving a total height increase of 2-3 inches. There were 4 holes in the base already, so very little work involved. No experience of this outfit but they seem to have a decent selection at reasonable prices. And then there's ebay, Amazon, Aliexpress etc.

Something like these perhaps https://www.bpfonline.co.uk/search.asp?catid=10977

Offline Spurry

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Re: Lathe Height
« Reply #39 on: October 28, 2020, 06:15:54 PM »
My lathe was a little low, (I'm 6'3"), so mounted it on 5 wheels, which makes it easy to move about single handed. Ideally it could have been a little higher. :)