Lathe Dilemma - Buy another, modify or?

[Steve Mathews]

I'm beginning to realize the wisdom in having a lathe set up for the proper height. My Oneway 2436 has a spindle height of just over 49", a dimension generally suggested for a tall person. A bettery height for me would be around 43". What I'm considering is ...



Cut down the legs.
Purchase new legs from Oneway.
Sell my lathe and buy another.


I have a rubber horse stall mat to stand on that has helped but it doesn't get me much closer to the desired height. The situation hasn't reached critical mass yet but it's beginning to bother me the more time spent in front of the lathe. What would you do? Suggestions?

PS If I purchased another lathe it would be another Oneway 2436. I'm totally satisfied with it, except for the height.

PPS It's my understanding that Oneway sells or sold these lathes with different length legs. If any tall Oneway lathe owner has a shorter version and would like to swap legs, please PM me.

[Dwight Rutherford]

Have you considered a 6" platform as another option?

[Michael Schneider]

You might keep adding height on your current lathe until you get exactly the height you are happy with. Once you find that height, turn at that height for awhile. Now you know what is the exact height for you.

You could then cut your legs to that height.

Just food for thought,

Happy turning,
Michael

[Brian Brown]

I would go with the platform option if possible. It saves some money, and some people find hollowing more comfortable with the lathe higher. Your platform can be moved for hollowing. My new midi is on the stand for my old (smaller) midi, and is too high for turning, but better for hollowing.

[Brice Rogers]

Steve, you have outlined some reasonable solutions.

Another thought:
Remove and replace the legs with a bench of a lower height. Being a woodworker, you undoubtedly have the skillset to make a heavy-duty bench to accept the weight of your 2436. A couple of bonuses - - you can add a ballast box plus storage

I got one of the earlier Grizzly g0766 lathes that came with the legs of an earlier (smaller) lathe and as a result it was too high for me. Then Griz recognized that this approach limited some of the marketability so they decreased the height of their legs by about 2". I ended up getting a set of the shorter legs and am happy that I did.

[Jason Edwards]

Sorry, but I disagree with the platform solutions. They are a trip hazard getting on and off. Whenever possible modify the lathe to fit you. If you cut-down your Oneway you may negatively effect resale value. Oneway offers different size legs now, maybe you could get a set that fits you better. Or buy a Robust or Vicmarc, they have adjustable legs.

[Steve Mathews]

Sorry, but I disagree with the platform solutions. They are a trip hazard getting on and off. Whenever possible modify the lathe to fit you. If you cut-down your Oneway you may negatively effect resale value. Oneway offers different size legs now, maybe you could get a set that fits you better. Or buy a Robust or Vicmarc, they have adjustable legs.

I agree about the platform idea, that's why it wasn't included in one of the options. I've gotten used to the mat and it's nice to stand on for extended periods of time instead of a concrete floor but anything higher would at best be cumbersome, especially going to and from the sharpening station. While at Woodworkers Emporium recently I had a chance to look at some Vicmarcs and a Robust. I didn't care for how the Robust was made but the Vicmarc was impressive. I still like the Oneway better though and understand, after first starting this thread that they now have adjustable legs. I contacted one of the Oneway dealers to find out pricing and availability and will balance that against buying another lathe or constructing another set of legs from scratch. The later might be an interesting project, especially if adjustability can be worked into it. Constructing another set of legs instead of cutting down the existing ones might also be better in that I can use the lathe while working on the new legs.

[Peter Blair]

It would seem to me that the best solution is to purchase the appropriate legs from oneway. I agree about the platform I used one for my grandson for a few years but was continually nervous about him tripping or falling while moving around.

[John K Jordan]

I agree about the platform idea, that's why it wasn't included in one of the options. I've gotten used to the mat and it's nice to stand on for extended periods of time instead of a concrete floor but anything higher would at best be cumbersome, especially going to and from the sharpening station. While at Woodworkers Emporium recently I had a chance to look at some Vicmarcs and a Robust. I didn't care for how the Robust was made but the Vicmarc was impressive. I still like the Oneway better though and understand, after first starting this thread that they now have adjustable legs. I contacted one of the Oneway dealers to find out pricing and availability and will balance that against buying another lathe or constructing another set of legs from scratch. The later might be an interesting project, especially if adjustability can be worked into it. Constructing another set of legs instead of cutting down the existing ones might also be better in that I can use the lathe while working on the new legs.

Steve,

If you have room in the shop a safe platform would be large enough to move around on and could be bounded at the rear or sides with railings or a workbench, cabinets, tool racks, etc. so you could never accidentally step off or trip on the edge. I'm sure safety standards would require something like that in industry - I've seen low metal platforms like that on special machinery and laboratory equipment.

If you buy new legs for the lathe remember you can probably sell the shorter legs in the future if you sell the lathe - there are probably others in the same predicament.

Hey, do you ever move the lathe? Is the floor concrete and beautiful or a bit like a lot of shops? A crazy idea is to cut a couple of rectangles out of the concrete and drop the legs. While this certainly seems extreme but it would preserve the resale value and the holes could be patched easily later. Or depending on the size of your budget a new lathe is always nice!

Oh, just to be completely crazy, another option (besides platform shoes) is lengthen your legs! No kidding, I know a girl born with one leg over an inch shorter than the other when she grew up. Rather than shorten the longer leg (the easy option) she opted for a procedure to lengthen the short leg. This involved cutting through the bone and separating it by a small amount, holding the pieces in perfect alignment with an external frame with stainless rods through the skin. The bone will slowly grow to fill the gap. Every few months they cranked on some threaded fittings and broke the new bone and made a new gap. This took a long time and was incredibly painful. I don't know how long it would take to increase 6 inches. :) Down side is you would need a new wardrobe.

JKJ

[Brian Brown]

John's leg lengthening idea does seem a bit radical. This would be easier. The makeup and chest hair are optional, but would provide an authentic look. Paul Stanley made it work.

364231

[Charles Taylor]

John's leg lengthening idea does seem a bit radical. This would be easier. The makeup and chest hair are optional, but would provide an authentic look. Paul Stanley made it work.

364231
Be sure to tie back the hair and fringe when working at the lathe.

[Frank Drew]

The absolutely easiest solution is a platform, large enough to cover any stance you'll take at the lathe, and then just be careful. People trip and fall because they're not paying attention. Or put some railings on the thing if you're the falling type.

[George Werner]

I would go with the platform option as well. I had to do that so that my wife could turn since the lathe is too high for her to use comfortably.

[Peter Blair]

Steve, have you made a decision?
Just like to hear which way you decide to go . . . .

[Steve Mathews]

Steve, have you made a decision?
Just like to hear which way you decide to go . . . .

I should decide early this week. My Oneway dealer is checking on the cost for a replacement set of legs. After going through a few trials using some pallets as a makeshift platform I'm convinced it's not the way to go for me, especially when there are other alternatives. I would like to tackle making the legs myself and welcome the challenge to improve on the Oneway design. But with so many other projects ahead of me that might not be a wise use of my time for now. That essentially leaves me with 2 options - sell the existing lathe and buy another Oneway or purchase new legs. One undesirable part of the latter is having another set of legs to store and not use. Seems like a waste. I suppose it will eventually come down to what option is the least costly. Anyone have an idea of a fair value for the 2436? It has the 3 hp motor, RFI filter and breaking resistor and still looks new. I will be keeping all of the accessories to use on my new lathe.

[Greg Parrish]

Good lord. Lots of money buying and selling lathes just to lower yours.

Are the the legs steel or cast iron? If steel, have a welding shop do cutting and rewelding to shorten. if cast iron, have welding fab shop make replacements from heavy steel.

Is your shop location a permanent home with no expected changes or desires to get out of turning? If so, you could cut the concrete just to the size of the two legs and lower the lathe. Would need to lower and pour new concrete but may be cheaper option still.

Another idea is to make concrete forms to replace your legs. Pour two posts to your liking and imbed threaded rod into it. Cap with a steel plate if needed.

I would try try all options before the hassle of selling and buy again. Possible money loss and lots of hassle dealing with all the moving unless you just want a new lathe for some reason.

Good luck.

[John K Jordan]

Possible money loss and lots of hassle dealing with all the moving unless you just want a new lathe for some reason.

Or money is simply not an issue!

JKJ

[John RStegall]

Our club does our best to help widows or club members who can no longer turn sell their lathes and other tools. A well maintained lathe normally brings about 60% of retail.

[Steve Mathews]

I think John best describes the situation, at least in my case. Having what I want at my stage in life is more important to me than saving a few bucks. All of the suggestions have been great but a raised platform, lowered floor, concrete supports, etc. all limit my ability to move the lathe. Oneway makes a great mobile setup, which I used to move the lathe to its current location. If I want to change my shop layout or make small adjustments it's fairly easy to do. Modifying the existing legs takes up time that might be better spent elsewhere despite a strong desire to give it a go. It also means the lathe will be out of commission for a while. I just received a quote from my dealer on the Oneway adjustable legs. The cost is approx. $850 shipped, which I think is reasonable. I don't think selling my lathe and buying another one will result in an out of pocket expense anywhere close to that. The next step is to check in with Oneway to make sure the new legs will be a straightforward swap.

[Greg Parrish]

Understood and makes sense. Hope the leg swap does it. :)

[Dane Riley]

Read my reply to JKJ in the thread:
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/images/buttons/firstnew.png (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?256498-What-is-Proper-Tool-Rest-Clamp-Height-Relative-to-Spindle&goto=newpost) What is Proper Tool Rest Clamp Height Relative to Spindle? (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?256498-What-is-Proper-Tool-Rest-Clamp-Height-Relative-to-Spindle)As long as you can lower your tool rest enough and are willing to put some thought into tool rest height (and soon enough it will become automatic), just use it as is.