[hboswell]

Currently, my workbench is something I put together before I built my shop, when I worked in my garage. It consists of two cabinet bases mounted on a common foundation on casters, with a solid-core door on top. It's too big, too high, no vises - really, it just doesn't function well. Also, I have a lathe that I inherited from my late father-in-law. When I moved the lathe from his shop, I also moved the lathe bench he built for it. But because he had open studs in his shop, and the wall where I put it was paneled, the stand doesn't really work well for me. Tonight, I had this idea....

I could disassemble the workbench, and use the cabinet bases directly on the floor, with the solid-core door still on top, and mount the lathe to that. Then, I could go buy a workbench (I'm thinking of the Harbor Freight 60" workbench) that would be much better as a workbench than what I have.

Are there flaws in my thinking? Would the cabinet bases and door make a decent bench for the lathe? Are there better workbenches out there? (I can get the HF bench right now for about $135 if the 20% coupon applies, but I don't mind spending a bit more for a better bench).

Also - one reason for a new workbench is to use it as an outfeed table for my table saw, which I want to move to the center of the shop. But I would then have to run the power cord for the saw across the floor, and use an extension cord. Am I asking for trouble there?

Thanks,
Harry

 

[hboswell]

The lathe is a Craftsman model 113.228162. I'll attach a photo, not a great one, but it's what I have handy. That picture was in my F-I-L's shop (and while he was alive it was *never* that messy!).

I've started to build a new workbench several times. I get stuck in decision land and never get any further. So I thought buying one would get me past that point!

Harry

 

[hboswell]

"For a lathe, you really should have the axis of the headstock at the desired height. Put one hand on the opposite shoulder. The height of the elbow on this arm is the desired height of the axis of the headstock."

That's interesting, I've never seen that tip. Since I'm pretty tall (6'5"), that says my lathe table should be fairly high. I guess I do need to reconsider what I'm doing here.

Harry