Lathe height

[Cuedog]

I've seen pictures of a few of you standing by your primary lathe, and one thing I always look for is the distance from your shoulders to the work piece. Pictures don't really tell the story, so I was wondering if anyone has a rule of thumb regarding this.

I am 6' on the nose. My work sits 46.5" starting at the fatigue mat, up to between centers. This allows me to stand upright and comfortable while working. It's also a perfect distance from my eyes for maximum visibility.

Of course this depends on your individual height, but I am curious as to if anyone has given much thought as to how high/low your lathe(s) should be for maximum comfort.

Gene

 

[hotcues]

I use a stool! I learned that from doing pool trade shows. I lot easier on
my back and legs.

 

[J&D CUSTOMS]

I say it is all up to the person working at the lathe. If it is comfortable , it's great. Standing for most gets to you in time. Gracio uses a chair to do all his work, others a stool, some stand.
I would say as long as you are comfortable and your tools are easy access to you, you are set. Every shop is different. It is set to that person and how he/she does things. Be yourself and do what works for you.
I stand in my shop due to the fact of it's size and how much I move around. It works better that way for me. Your shop I guarantee is different.
Hope all this babbling helps,
Jim Lee

 

[masonh]

i just bought one about a month ago and it is on the ground.it is way too low for me.my buddy has his on 4x4 and wheels so it is elevated quite abit.i really like his and i reall get backaches from mine.i am going to get some blocks soon for mine as it is driving me crazy.i just got finished building 12 butts and 20 shafts on it and my back was sore for a week.

i couldn't imagine doing it sitting down b/c i am always bending over to inspect stuff,but i am sure they have a system figured out for the sit down technique.

 

[Craig Fales]

I just measured my main lathe and it's right at 42". I couldn't imagine something higher than that. But that's just me.

 

[RocketQ]

Mine are just above the bottom of my ribs. One is on 4x4's and the other on 6x6's got tired of bending ove to get my eyes near my work. Wish I did it years ago...

 

[ELBeau]

Lathe Height

I've seen pictures of a few of you standing by your primary lathe, and one thing I always look for is the distance from your shoulders to the work piece. Pictures don't really tell the story, so I was wondering if anyone has a rule of thumb regarding this.

Of course this depends on your individual height, but I am curious as to if anyone has given much thought as to how high/low your lathe(s) should be for maximum comfort.

Gene

I'm not sure about distance from shoulders to the workpiece, but I was taught that the middle of the lathe spindle should be level with your elbow when standing normally with your arms by your side - give or take 1''.

Of course, I like to sit down when working long days, so I can't say I follow that rule of thumb all the time!

 

[Cue Crazy]

I'm not sure about distance from shoulders to the workpiece, but I was taught that the middle of the lathe spindle should be level with your elbow when standing normally with your arms by your side - give or take 1''.

Of course, I like to sit down when working long days, so I can't say I follow that rule of thumb all the time!

I'm about 5' 10" to 5' 11", and My benches for the lathes, and mill are about 39-40 inches from floor to top of the ways. That puts My elbows right around the centers like you are saying.

My pantograph is only about 30 to 31 inches, but I do alot more sitting on the stool when working with It. That thing is a real back breaker for sure, but I get the best view of the workpiece from above at that level, so that I can best see what I'm doing.


Greg

 

[Cuedog]

I'm not sure about distance from shoulders to the workpiece, but I was taught that the middle of the lathe spindle should be level with your elbow when standing normally with your arms by your side - give or take 1''.

Of course, I like to sit down when working long days, so I can't say I follow that rule of thumb all the time!

That's interesting. Were did you learn that?

Thanks guys for your input.

Gene

 

[Cuedog]

I just measured my main lathe and it's right at 42". I couldn't imagine something higher than that. But that's just me.

How tall are you Craig? At 42", my 6' frame would suffer making this less enjoyable for me.

To me, it's imperative that the lathe height allows me to be upright or I get neck and back pain. By the way...sitting, at least for now, is out of the question.

Gene

 

[Craig Fales]

How tall are you Craig? At 42", my 6' frame would suffer making this less enjoyable for me.

To me, it's imperative that the lathe height allows me to be upright or I get neck and back pain. By the way...sitting, at least for now, is out of the question.

Gene

I'm 6' 1". I just find it a good height for me, I guess it all could be subjective though.

 

[Cuedog]

I'm 6' 1". I just find it a good height for me, I guess it all could be subjective though.

Either that or your back and eyes are better than mine. I guess it's what you grow accustomed to as well. My traveling set up is an inch higher than my shop set up.

Gene