I've always seen that the ideal spindle height should be the height of the elbow. I have the Laguna 18-36 and the spindle height is 41-1/2" and my elbow is 42". Very close. I recently was having back pain and going to PT. I was still having some back pain during this time as the excercises helped, but not pain free. I haven't turned in about 5 days and the pain is pretty much gone. Now I question if the lathe is too low. So I am thinking of putting some boards under the to raise it say 2" or buy the riser kit from Laguna and raise it 3". So my questions are:
1) what height is your lathe in reference to your elbow, problems
2) would a wood board under the leveling feet work ok, the riser kit would be ideal, but that would make the lathe 44-12" and maybe too high.
3) other suggestions on raising the lathe