I have always had a problem with my feet standing for any length of time. I turn on a Jet mini and turning long pieces is not a problem. I am going to lower my lathe so that I can sit on a stool. Can you give me some advise on where to have the center line come in relation to my body?

Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

Thanks

Ron,

I would say that you would want your lathe height to be at a height that puts your arm/elbows at the same postion relative to the lathe as when you are standing

Edited March 22, 20179 yr by Chips N Dust

I would say the height would be whatever is safe and comfortable you to turn.

It's really hard to say. Everyone is different in height and technique that the way everyone turns.

I would say that you might have to just try it and if one position doesn't work you may have to raise or lower the lathe or adjust the stool that you are using. 

Typically they say the centers should be about elbow height- what Kelly said. Maybe check that measurement while you are seated in the chair/stool you will be using. Personally, I made my lathe a little higher so I don't have to bend much to see what's happening. Back and neck really hurt if I have to stay stooped over for any length of time.

There is a guy on the woodnet.net forums who is a disabled vet. He works with other disabled vets and teaches them wood turning. He may be able to give you some advice. He posts as Arlin Eastman.

Robust makes a lathe designed for those with disabilities and I believe it's designed to be used while sitting. They may be able to give you some information.

 

Steve

16 hours ago, Steve Krumanaker said:

He posts as Arlin Eastman

He used to be a member here. He's also at Lumberjocks as Arlin Eastman.

Edited March 22, 20179 yr by lew

Google is your friend.  woodturning sitting    brings up a lot of info such as this

 

 

 

You could do what a member of my turning club did . He added height to a stool so he did not have to modify lathe. I thing the stool was raised about 8 inches and he is a little over 6 foot .

The AAW has some resources.  I think Robust and oneway each makes a lathe for seated turners.  I've seen some retrofited lathes.  They tilt them on an angle leaning toward the turner.

 

That tilting lathe is wonderful devise. I got mine lowered and did turn a piece to see how it feels. So far, so good.  I like the tilt and can add that as well  If anything, I may go lower with my stool. It took all day to strip the wall of its stuff and rebuild. Still have a lot to do, including cleanup. I'll post some pictures when complete.

 

Thanks to all for the advise and input. I appreciate it.

Robust actually has a lathe stand that you could adapt to your lathe.  It can be adjusted for standing and seated turning.  It's really a great innovation by Brent English

 

www.turnrobust.com

 

here's the stand:

http://www.turnrobust.com/product/universal-stand/

 

Good Luck!