Hey everyone, I know this isn't a very intricate project like some of the other cool stuff on here, but figured to share it anyway as the 12x36 import lathe seems to be a fairly common unit. I had thought of making a workbench and getting rid of the pedestals altogether, which is what TheLocalDrunk did (and made a very nice job of it), but figured that I had most of the materials on hand (mostly project leftovers) for this route rather than having to buy metal. When I first got it, I didn't want to drill the floor for anchors (don't trust the concrete in my yuppie-neighborhood suburbanite home attached garage). At the time all I had was a carpenter's level and some wood wedges, so believe me it's much better now. I was even spinning an out-of-balance workpiece the other night without feeling like the lathe was going to jump in my lap.
I know it's preferable to use a longer machinist's level to set machinery up but this is what I have. It's amazing how different it feels being more stable, level, and at a better height for not having to hunch over as much. Now watching kijiji for a cheap used roller cabinet to remove the casters and slide under the chip pan. Will need that as I lost my QCTP tool holder shelf that was on the wall behind the lathe and it would be nice to have the tool holders handy.
Biggest nuisance on install was finding out that the bases of he pedestals are about 1/4" out of square, so had to use the die grinder on one bolt hole of each of the pedestals. After that, set level in both directions, ensured even amount of torque on all jack screws, and really all it cost me was a piece of 1"-14 ready rod, a few bucks in bolts, a spray can of paint, some scrap, and some time.
I know it's preferable to use a longer machinist's level to set machinery up but this is what I have. It's amazing how different it feels being more stable, level, and at a better height for not having to hunch over as much. Now watching kijiji for a cheap used roller cabinet to remove the casters and slide under the chip pan. Will need that as I lost my QCTP tool holder shelf that was on the wall behind the lathe and it would be nice to have the tool holders handy.
Biggest nuisance on install was finding out that the bases of he pedestals are about 1/4" out of square, so had to use the die grinder on one bolt hole of each of the pedestals. After that, set level in both directions, ensured even amount of torque on all jack screws, and really all it cost me was a piece of 1"-14 ready rod, a few bucks in bolts, a spray can of paint, some scrap, and some time.
