Question about Cue lathe bed height?

jlrowe

jlrowe

Billiards,Boxing & Babes
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Just wondering, what would be the ideal lathe bed height? I am going to make a narrow rolling table for my Custom/Mid America/Hightower lathe. LOL Im used to do a lot of pro shop work on a Hightower and had it mounted at about 33 inches but just seemed low. Oh, I am 6' tall.
 
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What ever height is the most comfortable height for your arms, and for looking over the machine etc. Having a set height is ridiculous if it gives you sore shoulders, a strained neck, or a sore lower back. I like the feed wheel at a height that when my elbows are 90 deg, it is at the cross slide or saddle feed wheel height, or inbetween those two heights.
 
I started with the table height same as my workbench for woodwork and mat board cutting. Didn’t take long to increase the height to almost 40 inches. I’m 6’4” though, but like the other post stated, you’ll need to find what height is comfortable for you.
 
Thanks Guys Neil you gave me an ideal. I think i will do the legs where I can adjust the height. Thanks Tom I measured the height like Neil said with my elbows at 90 and i am at about 40 also. So I think i will make 40 at center height of chuck and have my legs adjust + and - about 3 inches. I knew 33 was low.
 
Let us know how all this works out for you. My back and neck are much better after the height adjustment.
 
Will do my friend! Got to figure out how im going to design the table.
 
Built a riser for my Mid America, 5" up, wish I had went 6". Will probably add some spacer blocks, but it is really nice where it is. Height from floor to cutter now is 45 1/4", I am 6'2" tall. Is almost a perfect 90 deg from my elbow. I do alot of woodturning also on my wood lathes, and if its too low, your back will kill you.
 

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Thanks Guys...maybe i will increase my adjustable height to 40 min to 50 max center height. I should find the best that suits me within that range.
 
I have my tool boxes jacked up on two blocks per box. Total height of 45" then my mid american on top. Im 6ft tall. Works great for me.
 
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