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Mike Rocklin

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Arlington
Vermont
USA
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Turncrafter Commander
Nova Galaxi DVR

Lathe for Christmas
Nov 11^th, 2017 at 9:28am

I'm helping my stepmother pick out a full size lathe for my dad for Christmas, but I'm worried about the height. He's 5'6" and when he uses my Galaxi it seems much too tall for him. I know you're supposed to measure from the elbow, but it's going to be a surprise so I don't want to ask.

Do y'all have any suggestions for lathes for the vertically challenged? In the under $2500 range Wink

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Ralph Fahringer

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Ellsworth
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PM3520b

Re: Lathe for Christmas
Reply #1 - Nov 11^th, 2017 at 10:34am

While your stepmother distracts him, you stand behind him with a tape measure and get that elbow height!! Shocked

...oorrrrrrr.. just go ahead and buy the lathe and you can give him a platform as your present.

Most of us height challenged turners need a platform to get to that magic spot for turning without numerous aches and catches.

Tho most lathe legs are adjustable, some still don't go low enough, thus the platform.

I needed a 3" platform for my Powermatic 3520b. I also have a 28" inseam!! Grin

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Originality is the art of concealing your source.

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Al Wasser WR Addict Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 626 Pueblo West, CO Colorado USA Gender: Robust American Beauty	Re: Lathe for Christmas Reply #2 - Nov 11^th, 2017 at 10:39am Platforms solve the height problem for us vertically challenged folks. They also create a nasty tripping problem. I used one when I had a Jet 1642 and never did like it. You also have to move it to do routine cleanup of wood chips.
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Ralph Fahringer WR Addict Offline I'm the "Burly" Man!! Posts: 1,629 Ellsworth Maine USA Gender: PM3520b	Re: Lathe for Christmas Reply #3 - Nov 11^th, 2017 at 12:10pm Cleanup???
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Ralph Fahringer WR Addict Offline I'm the "Burly" Man!! Posts: 1,629 Ellsworth Maine USA Gender: PM3520b	Re: Lathe for Christmas Reply #4 - Nov 11^th, 2017 at 12:14pm Seriously.. I just take the vacuum hose and (edited out) it all up around the platform. Done.
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Al Wasser WR Addict Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 626 Pueblo West, CO Colorado USA Gender: Robust American Beauty	Re: Lathe for Christmas Reply #5 - Nov 11^th, 2017 at 2:06pm My hose would not reach that far so I had to move the platform and sweep and shovel
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Ken Davis

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La grange
Texas
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Laguna Revo 18/36

Re: Lathe for Christmas
Reply #6 - Nov 12^th, 2017 at 7:14am

Im 5'7, I bought the Laguna 18/36 220 volt. it lists at $2499 but I caught a sale and got it for $2100 Its a tad tall for me, but I bought a fatigue mat to stand on and that added enough height. The one I got added 3/4" and that was enough, plus its comfy to stand on. I had intended on buying the powermatic 3520b but it was even taller and I didnt want to make a platform since I have to move my lathe around to use it. Ive been really happy with my choice.

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Frank Padden Active Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 109 Hudson Massachusetts USA Gender: Nova 16"	Re: Lathe for Christmas Reply #7 - Nov 12^th, 2017 at 9:01am What about those of us that grew a little too much?
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Jack Lilley WR Noob Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 2 Laguna Revo 18/36	Re: Lathe for Christmas Reply #8 - Nov 12^th, 2017 at 1:03pm Second the Laguna...a great lathe and it is fairly low.
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Ed Weber

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Wilton
California
USA
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JET 1642
Grizzly G0584

Re: Lathe for Christmas
Reply #9 - Nov 12^th, 2017 at 2:05pm

JMO
Do Not buy a lathe based on it's height.
Only purchase a lathe (or any other tool) based on your needs. If the lathe has the features you want, then purchase it. You will more than likely regret your purchase if you sacrifice features for something as trivial as height.
Raising the lathe for a taller person or raising the floor for a shorter person (platform) is an easy one time operation. Purchasing a tool that doesn't have a feature you want/need will last the life of that tool.
Example,
My spindle height is at approximately 48" above where I stand, which is on a anti-fatigue mat about 5/8" thick.
So I have had to raise both the floor (mat) and the lathe (my lathe is on 3" casters) so that the operating position is safe and comfortable.

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Rick Caron Senior Member Offline So many logs, so little time! Posts: 456 Greer South Carolina USA Gender:	Re: Lathe for Christmas Reply #10 - Nov 12^th, 2017 at 10:12pm I would buy a NOVA DVR XP. Recently placed a 1/2" rubber mat to stand on. I also made my stand to fit my former JET Midi lathe. Looks like going to have raise my lathe 1". Buts that easier than lowering one. If you don't build a custom stand you will have to make a platform. Platform would be much easier.
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