Lathe Dolly?

[Jim Underwood]

I'm looking for a lathe dolly to keep our club lathe on (Jet 1642), so we can move it around the shop easily, and not have to take it off the dolly for turning.

I was trying to adapt a Shop Fox machine dolly for the purpose, and it's not quite going according to plan.

Anyone know of a dolly made specifically for lathes?

[Jim Underwood]

It occurs to me to mention that I'm trying to adapt the dolly in an "I" or "H" formation rather than the standard square formation, to prevent the stretchers from interfering with the feet of the turner....

[Mark Pruitt]

Our club has a 1642 and it has casters mounted. It works well (although I personally do not like the idea of "mobile" lathes).

[Christopher K. Hartley]

Jim, have you considered the Oneway or the Robust Caster sets? With a little modification they could possibly work very nice.

http://www.oneway.on.ca/lathes/2436_access.htm#wheels

http://www.turnrobust.com/Casters_Kits.html

Just a thought.:)

Also:
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=33104
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=21440&highlight=Lathe+Casters

[John Chandler]

I have an HTC base for my Jet 1220 on a Rikon stand. I need the mobility as I am using almost half the garage and need to be able to move and rearange tools as I use them. We also have storage shelves on the walls which contributes to the need for mobility. The one thing I don't like is my base is a rectangle so I have to step over it or work around the frame when I am working on the lathe. But the base does have stationary pads it rests on, then you step on the wheel levers to lower the front wheels, which raises the frame off the pads, then you roll it to where you need it. The base came with a brochure. It shows they make bases which will hold the legs, the the frame on each end quickly narrows down towards the middle so you don't have to step over a frame while you are working. They even list some they have made for various wood lathes. The model # for the one they make for the Jet JWL-1642 is HSI-3245. The brochure shows a list price of $349. HTC also makes one for the Powermatic 3520A for the same price. This is probably more expensive than casters, but I like how low to the ground the frame.

[Brodie Brickey]

Jim,

OC Woodturners have a Nova DVR mounted on an 'A Frame' style cart. The cart rolls, until you screw down the risers to raise the casters up and make the lathe stationary. I don't have any pictures of it, but it is very efficient. The next meeting isn't for another month. If I get a chance, I'll take some pictures and post them for you, but it will be a while.

[Steven Wilson]

The Jet is fairly light. Check into a pair of Piano-Carry Dollies. Jet makes one and will carry about 1000 pounds. You can find cheaper sets that would work, they just carry less weight.