What type of bench or table are your Jet mini-lathes mounted on?

[Jeff Skory]

Right now my Jet is sitting on top of my tablesaw extension table. A little high and definitely a bit inconvenient. I know, I know ... I'm never going to use the saw again. But until that time comes I'd like to put it on its own stand.

Have most of you built something or purchased something? What types of features have you found useful for your lathe stands?

I tried doing a search but couldn't find anything.

[Andy London]

I have ours mounted on two inches of MDF, actually bolted to the MDF but between the lathe and the MDF there are 2" hard rubber blocks that I purchased at an automotive store. Seems to work well.

I like the centre line of the lathe just above the waist level.

http://www.picframer.ca/minisetup3.jpg

[Andy London]

Another thing I should have added, this is probably the third arrangement. I find it takes a few tries until I get everything where it is handy. Having the grinder nearby is very handy along with a flat surface work area. I also have a few spring clips on the wall in case I have a picture of a form I like.

http://www.picframer.ca/minisetup.jpg

[Don Henthorn Smithville, TX]

Since my house is up for sale I didn't want to do anything permanent until after I move. I built this rough cart with wheels so I can take it out in the yard during nice weather to turn, sand or finish. I really like it although it is just a tad low. After I move I am going to build a nicer one a bit higher , a bit bigger and with storage for tools, and finishing materials.
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<img src="http://users2.ev1.net/~henthorn/lathetab2.jpg">

[Keith Outten]

One of my Christmas presents was another hydraulic table for my Jet Mini Lathe. I now own four of these tables, I have one for my Jet 10/20 drum sander, the Jet Mini Lathe, my heat press and the forth is used as a mobile work bench. These are so handy, they can be lowered to the floor and stored under other tools so they tuck neatly out of the way. In the picture below you can see my heat press parked underneath the ShopBot.

My lathe is often used for Turn-A-Thons so it needs to be mobile, I lower it down and roll it up a set of ramps into the back of my truck. When I get to the TAT I'm ready to go. Note the acrylic shield which protects the bystanders eyes from chips. Height is always perfect since it is easy to adjust the hydraulics up or down to suit the operator.

[David LaRue]

I currently have mine on top of my Router table. When I'm done withthe mini, it goes back under the work bench out of the way. Not enough room for a dedicated table. The nice thing about the router table is I have a blank for the router insert, and whe the chips build up I sweep them into the router table and turn onthe dust colleciton... an wooosh they are gone! :D

[Robert Cox]

6x6s and 4" concrete blocks for the legs. 3/8" allthread through all that.

2-2x4s across the top. 1 2x4 diagonal brace.

Bolt the lathe to that.

I used 4 blocks high but am thinking about taking one out and then using 2x4 shims to make up part of it.

Cheap and solid

[Jeff Skory]

Another thing I should have added, this is probably the third arrangement. I find it takes a few tries until I get everything where it is handy. Having the grinder nearby is very handy along with a flat surface work area. I also have a few spring clips on the wall in case I have a picture of a form I like.

http://www.picframer.ca/minisetup.jpg

Andy,

I'm very jealous! That's a beautiful looking shop. With sooooo much room.

I'll post a picture of mine later today or tomorrow. Everything is on wheels and gets rolled around frequently.

[Jeff Skory]

One of my Christmas presents was another hydraulic table for my Jet Mini Lathe.

Keith, I can see the advantages of that system. I'll keep that in mind as I continue to think about what I need. The adjustability could come in handy. For doing small stuff like pens does anyone ever sit down on a stool or chair? Or does that limit your mobility too much?

[Jeff Skory]

I currently have mine on top of my Router table. When I'm done withthe mini, it goes back under the work bench out of the way. Not enough room for a dedicated table. The nice thing about the router table is I have a blank for the router insert, and whe the chips build up I sweep them into the router table and turn onthe dust colleciton... an wooosh they are gone! :D

Not a bad idea, but my router table would be way too high for that to work.

[Brad McCollum]

As you can see in the pic, mine is mounted on a cabinet behind my Delta lathe. This arrangement keeps everything handy for both machines.

[Larry Barnes]

This is a stand I made for the jet mini,, The drawers have no bottoms so that chisels can be
stored and left open while turning, and the chips will fall through. The whole thing was made out of
mdf except for a little hardwood edge banding, and drawer fronts

[Matt Meiser]

I built a base for mine from concrete blocks based somewhat on a plan I found on the internet. There are 2x8 blocks of wood at the top and bottom of each stack of blocks and each stack is held together by two pieces of 3/8" all thread running through them. I added a set of 2x blocks at the top of each stack to get the exact height I wanted. The top is 2x8 with 2x4 beams underneath. It is very stable due to the weight. It is also cheap, and quick to build.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=9061

[Jim Becker]

One of my Christmas presents was another hydraulic table for my Jet Mini Lathe. I now own four of these tables, I have one for my Jet 10/20 drum sander, the Jet Mini Lathe, my heat press and the forth is used as a mobile work bench. These are so handy, they can be lowered to the floor and stored under other tools so they tuck neatly out of the way.
This really is a great idea, Keith. I've been thinking about getting a Mini/Midi so I have an extra workstation for occasional teaching, etc., and this would be a perfect way of providing adjustable height for the comfort of the individual working on the machine as well as easy storage behind the "aircraft carrier" in my shop! Hmmm...I can hear the money running out of my account already...sheesh!:o

[Bart Leetch]

Here are a few pictures of my lathe stand with my 1930's Delta double duty lathe.

I can turn inboard over the ways or outboard on the left side of the lathe head.

The feet & blocks & everything above up to but not including the top are held together by 1/2" rod I threaded on both ends & secured with washers & ny-lock nuts. The top is laminated up 2x4's lag bolted to 3/4" material on top of the blocks. The whole thing with the lathe weighs about 420 lbs. To move it I wheel my large auto floor jack under the shelf & jack it up & wheel it where I want it & set it back down again.

I know it's not a mini or midi lathe but thought it may give the spinny bunch some ideas.

Yes I know the belt is exposed that is the way they made it back then. I don't wear any long sleeve or dang-ly things around the lathe & never reach over the belt unless the lathe is turned off.

[Jeff Skory]

As you can see in the pic, mine is mounted on a cabinet behind my Delta lathe. This arrangement keeps everything handy for both machines.

That mini sure looks like a little kid's toy next to the beast in the middle of the room! Yikes that thing is big. Bet it's fun though.

[Jeff Skory]

This is a stand I made for the jet mini,, The drawers have no bottoms so that chisels can be
stored and left open while turning, and the chips will fall through. The whole thing was made out of
mdf except for a little hardwood edge banding, and drawer fronts

Larry,

I really like your bench. And the idea of the drawers without bottoms is great.

[Jeff Skory]

Thanks for all the ideas everyone. As you can see from the picture below my workroom is rather cramped. Aside from what you can see there are a couple of shelves on the right hand wall and a drill press just to the right of the door opening I am looking through.

I may have to try getting rid of one of the shelf units and replace it with a bench for the lathe.

It may be small but it is glorious to have a workshop. :D

[Jeff Skory]

Ok, so I forgot to put the picture in. Here it is. :o

[Mark Patoka]

Here is my version based on the same plan Larry used. I opted for one drawer on the right and added a door. As you can see it's very versatile and allows room for the extended bed. The plan is from Shopnotes issue 67, (Jan 2003?).

[Jeff Skory]

Here is my version based on the same plan Larry used. I opted for one drawer on the right and added a door. As you can see it's very versatile and allows room for the extended bed. The plan is from Shopnotes issue 67, (Jan 2003?).

Mark,

Thanks for the reference to the Shopnotes plan. I'll try to pick it up the next time I go to Rockler's. Although I probably should go through the 3 years of magazines I have since I used to gloss over most of the woodturning articles since I didn't own a lathe until now.

[Keith Outten]

Jim,

The 660 pound capacity hydraulic tables are about $120.00 at Northern. They are also handy for unloading your pickup truck, just slide the heavy stuff onto the table and lower it to the floor. The large table I use for a workbench we used to unload the Shopbot which was 8 feet long and over 800 pounds...no lifting and no concerns about dropping an expensive tool. If I am working on a cabinet I don't have to bend over to work on the bottom, just raise the table up to a comfortable working height :)

Larry,

I really like your bottomless drawer idea...very slick.

[Jeff Skory]

Jim,

The 660 pound capacity hydraulic tables are about $120.00 at Northern.

Keith,

If this were the final price I might think about it but there's an additional $80 shipping fee that goes along with it. I'll probably end up building something. Especially since I still need to dig deeper into my pockets to get a set of grinding wheels, perhaps a sharpening jig, and eventually some better chisels. (etc., etc., etc. :D )

[Keith Outten]

Jeff,

I understand the impact that shipping has on heavy tools and equipment. Fortunately for me there is a Northern Tool Store in Newport News (20 miles) and a Harbor Freight in Norfolk (40 miles) so I pay the taxes and save the shipping fees. If you get the chance to purchase one of these tables I reccomend them highly. Every shop would benefit from having one of these if for no other reason than unloading heavy items and a portable table that adjusts to fit the project at hand. At 10" tall when lowered you can stand them up against a wall when you don't need them or place them under other equipment. Valuable as an adjustable sawhorse and if you put a sheet of plywood on top they make an adjustable outfeed table for your tablesaw and other tools in your workshop.

[Jeff Skory]

Keith,

I agree wholeheartedly. I'll keep my eye open at other stores and may pick one up in the future.

[Christopher Pine]

Thanyou so much for the ideas here for this thread! This is my new years resolution to make such a table for my delta midi! I like the one from shopnotes a lot! I also have the extension on mine!
Will post pics when done!
Thanks again!
Chris

[Kurt Aebi]

Mine just sits on the bench.

[Scott Loven]

Where did you get the lift, and what do they cost? How high up will it jack? Thanks for the idea!
Scott

[Bart Leetch]

Scott here is what Keith wrote earlier. :eek: :D

Jeff,

I understand the impact that shipping has on heavy tools and equipment. Fortunately for me there is a Northern Tool Store in Newport News (20 miles) and a Harbor Freight in Norfolk (40 miles) so I pay the taxes and save the shipping fees. If you get the chance to purchase one of these tables I reccomend them highly. Every shop would benefit from having one of these if for no other reason than unloading heavy items and a portable table that adjusts to fit the project at hand. At 10" tall when lowered you can stand them up against a wall when you don't need them or place them under other equipment. Valuable as an adjustable sawhorse and if you put a sheet of plywood on top they make an adjustable outfeed table for your tablesaw and other tools in your workshop.

[keith zimmerman]

Gee, I just use Jet's stand for my mini. It works just fine for me and the lowest setting for the bolts sets it at the correct height for me.

Besides, with this stand, the whole unit fits in my "shop" very nicely. (My "shop" is a walk-in closet in my apartment) link to post (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=6386)


It amazes me the many different solutions we came up with to Jeff's question.

keithz

[Jeff Skory]

Gee, I just use Jet's stand for my mini. It works just fine for me and the lowest setting for the bolts sets it at the correct height for me.

Besides, with this stand, the whole unit fits in my "shop" very nicely. (My "shop" is a walk-in closet in my apartment) link to post (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=6386)


It amazes me the many different solutions we came up with to Jeff's question.

keithz

Hey Keith, I thought you were kidding about your shop being a closet. I thought you were speaking metaphorically.

Anyway, I never even thought about Jet's stand. Definitely bare minimum of space taken up that way. Maybe I can build something similar.....or I may end up just buying theirs.

Thanks for the info. And yes, you are right. There's a hundred ways to skin a cat. :D

[John M. Cioffi]

Another great thread! I love seeing everyone's great & practical ideas.
My jet mini is on the tubular stand. I got the whole pachage from Rockler about 3 yrs. ago for a really great price. I also have the extention bed. This stand is great. I take it to the store for demos,ect. Right now,it sits in the far corner,with the grinder adjacent to it. I made a makeshift tool holder that fits on the bottom wrung. All I need to do, is drop my hand down in front & pic the tool I want. Works great.

[Dick Parr]

Made mine just big enough for two drawers to hold my buffing stuff and small parts and chucks.

[Jeff Skory]

Dick,

Is the white posterboard behind the lathe to help you see what you are cutting? If so, good idea. As shown earlier mine is temporary on top of my tablesaw extension table and I find that depending upon what is behind the pen I am turning I sometimes get better views of the ridge being cut away. I have thought about putting white paper back there but have not done so.

[Scott Loven]

John, does your stand work with the extension?
Scott

[Dick Parr]

Jeff that is what is it manly for is to see the piece I am turning, but it also works well to keep most of the chips from flying all over the work table. It contains it pretty well but it is not poster board, it is a piece of melamine.

[Jeff Skory]

Dick,

Great idea - double duty. :D

I'll have to incorporate something like that when I build mine.

[John M. Cioffi]

Scott,


I haven't tried hanging it off the end yet, but I have been thinking of making a leg-brace for when I do. I have used the extention with the lathe on my workbench,as some others have shown.
John

[Scott Loven]

Anyone ever try to addapt something like this for a Mini lathe?
Scott

Lee valley (http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&cat=1,240&p=49718)

[dan carter]

I used a base cabinet to support my MIDI. I can attach the extention bed and support it on my tool chest/file cabinet.

Dan

[Tony Pridmore]

I use my Jet mini primarily for club workshops and public turning demonstrations. For these events it gets "mounted" on a Black & Decker Workmate (http://blackanddecker.com/ProductGuide/Product-Details.aspx?ProductID=7812). The height it just right for my 5' 10" height. At home it sits on the same workmate, but with the legs folded under, which makes the height good for my 9 year old.

There are obviously more stable surfaces to mount on, but it's not bad.

-Tony

[Allen Neighbors]

My lathe is often used for Turn-A-Thons so it needs to be mobile, I lower it down and roll it up a set of ramps into the back of my truck. When I get to the TAT I'm ready to go. Note the acrylic shield which protects the bystanders eyes from chips. Height is always perfect since it is easy to adjust the hydraulics up or down to suit the operator.
Keith, On that little red hydraulic platform, what is the highest point to which the spindle can be raised? And where did you purchase that?
Thanks,
Al Neighbors

[Allen Neighbors]

Keith, I can see the advantages of that system. I'll keep that in mind as I continue to think about what I need. The adjustability could come in handy. For doing small stuff like pens does anyone ever sit down on a stool or chair? Or does that limit your mobility too much?
Jeff, I have a tall lathe. I do use a tall stool at times. I'm getting to the age that my legs begin to bother me after about 4 hours of standing. Sitting does limit my mobility, but it's worth the sacrifice. :):o

[Allen Neighbors]

Jeff, I bought a Tile Saw Stand at Harbor Freight. It collapses, so it can be carried or moved easily. I added a couple of removable braces to tie the feet together, and a 24"x32" top that bolts down with knobs and T-nuts. That makes it removable quickly. I got this stand, so I can carry everything under the tonneau cover on my pickup.
I'll try to get a pic tomorrow morning to post.
But I'm so interested in that little red hydraulic stand that Keith posted, I may just get one of those, also. Being able to lower it to 10" height, would make it fit under the cover with the lathe still mounted... even better!!
Keith, can you measure the height of the stand top when it's up all the way?