hank dekeyser
01-18-2009, 9:53 PM
Hey all,
I hear lots of guys saying they added sand bags / etc. to their lathe for mass. OK - whats the difference if it's weighted down or bolted to the floor (cement slab) ??
Reason I ask is my Vega 1200 (an OK starter lathe for between centers) is pretty light. I built a set of legs for it out of 2-1/2" x 3/16" wall pipe. Kind of an A- frame looking set-up w/ a flat pad on top to mount the lathe and 3" angle on the floor - bolted to the cement slab. After a few turnings I realized it wanted to "wiggle" a little. I had to run a lateral cross brace from the headstock down to the other corner . It's rock solid now.
What's anybody else doing ? Yes I realize a good "heavy" lathe doesn't need to be bolted down, but I'm guessing it's probably the way to go ?
I hear lots of guys saying they added sand bags / etc. to their lathe for mass. OK - whats the difference if it's weighted down or bolted to the floor (cement slab) ??
Reason I ask is my Vega 1200 (an OK starter lathe for between centers) is pretty light. I built a set of legs for it out of 2-1/2" x 3/16" wall pipe. Kind of an A- frame looking set-up w/ a flat pad on top to mount the lathe and 3" angle on the floor - bolted to the cement slab. After a few turnings I realized it wanted to "wiggle" a little. I had to run a lateral cross brace from the headstock down to the other corner . It's rock solid now.
What's anybody else doing ? Yes I realize a good "heavy" lathe doesn't need to be bolted down, but I'm guessing it's probably the way to go ?