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Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998

Informal Survey: Spindle Height

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Informal Survey: Spindle Height

#1

Informal Survey: Spindle Height

Mark Kauder

>I would like to hear from some of you on the spindle height of your lathe.

The old saw about the perfect spindle height being elbow height, seems fine, if you are a spindle turner, and maybe small bowl turner, but seem way too low if you do hollow forms. Doing hollow forms on a elbow height lathe spindle is a pain in the ....back.

I had my old Jet Mini mounted on a stand where I had a 46" spindle height, and liked it pretty well. Today, I raise my Vega from 42" up to 48.5", and at this point I like it - Time will tell.

I think it was Wally that first told me that he thought a much higher spindle height was better for hollowing.

I am 5'9" (that is my height, not width).

Just interested in your thoughts on the matter.

Mark

Re: Informal Survey: Spindle Height

#2

Re: Informal Survey: Spindle Height

MikeinCapeMay

>I'm 6'4", standing normally with my arms to my side, feet slightly apart, if I flex my arm at the elbow, 90 degrees, the measurement from floor to the bottom of my flexed elbow is 46".

My Vicmarc measures 48" from floor to center of the spindle which I find perfect.

My first lathe, a Jet 1236 was initially a chore to turn on. I was always bent way over. Then a few years back I visited Bill Grumbine, turned on his Poolewood, which sits at about the same height that I now have my Vicmarc and found it to be very comfortable. Of course I said "Duh, now why didn't I realize this". Returned home and built a platform and elevated the Jet about 10 inches or so and was in business.

So, my lathe sits at approximate elbow height and this suits me. If I were to alter this, it would be higher, definitely not lower.

Re: Informal Survey: Spindle Height

#3

Re: Informal Survey: Spindle Height

Wally Dickerman at Green Valley, Az.

>You've got it about right Mark. I'm 5' 7", and my spindle height is 46 inches. When I'm using my Stewart hollowing tool, I can stand comfortably while turning. It doesn't take long to get used to spindle turning at that height.

I think that most turners have lathes that are too low for comfortable hollow form turning.

Wally

Re: Informal Survey: Spindle Height

#4

Re: Informal Survey: Spindle Height

Lee Weed

>I have mine set about 2" higher than my elbow, I use the Sorby armbrace and Bosch hollowing tools to do my hollowing. With the tool in my hand and a small magnetic level I raised the tool rest to where the cutting tip was on center. I then rasied the lathe to that point.

How do you like the Vega? For bowls and hollow forms it looks like the perfect lathe for me.

Re: Informal Survey: Spindle Height

#5

Re: Informal Survey: Spindle Height

woodspinner/ Bill Hale

>In my opinion it is what you like on what lathe. My Jet 1014 is considerably lower than my 2436 and each seems just fine.

Good turning and be safe

Bill

Re: Informal Survey: Spindle Height

#6

Re: Informal Survey: Spindle Height

Duane C.Leach

>About 20 or 25 years ago I read in a book by a then famous woodturner that the correct spindle hieght was your elbo height. It didn't take long after my back started aching to figure out that I needed to raise the lathe. It now sets at 48 " above A 1 1/2" thick ruber floor mat. It also proved once again that what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for every one.

Re: Informal Survey: Spindle Height

#7

Re: Informal Survey: Spindle Height

John Lucas

>Mark

My Powermatic is about an inch above elbow height. My Nova mini is about elbow height. I find that my back hurts less from long hours at the lathe with the powermatic set higher. I didn't do that on purpose. I thought it was too high when I got it but I would have had to build a platform to stand on. As it turns out I can turn for longer periods of time with the lathe at that height.

Re: Informal Survey: Spindle Height

#8

Dick Hines

Re: Informal Survey: Spindle Height

Dick Hines

>My Pm 3520 is at 50" and I just put my Jet mini on 4x4 blocks. Don't know how high this makes but the stand was maxed out.

Re: Informal Survey: Spindle Height

#9

Re: Informal Survey: Spindle Height

Mark Kauder. Phenix City, AL

>Lee,

In short I love my Vega 2400. I intend to write a fairly long (hopefully comprehensive) review of my experience with the 2400 sometime in the next couple of weeks.

I will email you the short version.

Mark

Re: Informal Survey: Spindle Height

#10

Re: Informal Survey: Spindle Height

Lan Brady

>Mark,

It is a question that you must answer for yourself. The correct height is whatever is comfortable to you. Just as reference, mine is 48".

Lan

Re: Informal Survey: Spindle Height

#11

Well...

Bob Hackett

>43" from floor on bowl lathe and 46 1/2" on Conover.

I hope you realize how much trouble I went thru to find the floor!Could have put Bill G`s John Deere DC system to good use.

Mainely,Bob

Re: Informal Survey: Spindle Height

#12

Re: Informal Survey: Spindle Height

William Duffield, on the Cohansey

>Thanks for asking the question, Mark. I went out and measured my JET 1236, and found the spindle to be about 3 1/2" below my elbow. So, I jacked up the lathe and ballast and put a hunk of 4x4 under each leg. Both elbow and centers are now at about 44", depending on depth of shavings. It's much more comfortable now, especially reaching for the on and off switches. I don't do hollow forms, just spindly stuff.