Finally got it dirty

[Gary Herrmann]

About a month ago I took delivery of my 3520b that I ordered from Sean at Toolnut. It wasn't the smoothest transaction - not Sean's fault, but his follow up with Powermatic was great. His price for the lathe and accessories was great too - not counting the rebate.

First WMH shipped me a Jet 1642, then when the 3520b finally got shipped, the freight company and WMH thrashed around till the lathe finally got delivered to me. Again, Sean was very helpful.

I haven't finished the base yet. I intend to add some storage on top of the ballast box, but haven't nailed down my design yet.

Being 6'7", a 44" spindle height wasn't going to work for me. I glued and screwed 2x6 stock to make a (kinda) mortise and tenon base frame. Spindle height is now 53"; the mat makes it about 52.25". The box has 200lbs of sand in it.

I can start, stop and restart the lathe with a 40lb off-balance chunk of wood on a face plate with a nickel standing on edge on the ways. Not too shabby.

I don't get much shop time in during the Spring and Summer, but today is Father's Day, so I got a present. I got to finish roughing out this pear blank. It's about 11" in diam, and 4.5" deep right now.

If you haven't made your mind up about a lathe yet, consider the 3520b. Fantastic lathe for the price. Turning off the end is so much easier on my back than twisting over the ways. Proof pics are below...

[robert hainstock]

I' m 6'1" and ways height can be vothersome for me. but am glad you've got it worked out. A suggestion; more finished projects and pictures. congrats. :):)
Bob

[Paul Engle]

At 6'3" I know exactly what you mean, my first house had custom built counters/lowers for a lady and her husband , they stood ..... 5'2" sooooo the kids and LOML loved it but is was killer for me and I like to cook ( that was a 3,000$ remod of the lowers 25 yrs ago ). I set a lot of my shop at 38" base height and the work benches are 42", my Jet is set a 52" to cL of the spindle and I hold the gouge~s etc under my arm pit ...very smooth and steady that way, it is also the reason for a rotating hs. Yea man compressed and fractured vertibre do not like to stoop. Glad you like your mustard.!!!

[Judy Kingery]

Gary, congrats to you indeed! Glad you've jumped in, have the height set right for you and vibration is nil. Outstanding! I'm fairly tall, well for a woman, 5' 10" and my husband built me a 2" platform for the big lathe/floor mat on top of it and it is the perfect height for me, now. Cool beans. That's great, Gary, enjoy! Jude

[Bernie Weishapl]

Gary congrats on getting started. You are on your way.

[Bruce Pennell]

Gary glad you got the new PM dirty. I like the way you raised your lathe, I've been thinking of ways to do mine. I will probably copy what you did, I was thinking of bolting mine right to the floor. I put about 480# of bag cement on mine, didn't notice a huge difference. Isn't it great to turn off the end? Very handy, my favorite part of the PM. can not wait to see more of your work...Bruce

[Steve Schlumpf]

Gary - glad to see you got your lathe and are finally being able to use it! Nice job on raising it to a comfortable height for you! Looking forward to seeing some of your work real soon!

[Pete Jordan]

At 5'7" on a good day I don't know what you are talking about. Congrats on the lathe! You are going to love it more and more!