Bench for lathe?

[Rich2502Participant @rich2502]

Would a timber railway sleeper make a good bench top for a 12″ Atlas lathe or should I use steel ?

 

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

I would use a steel bench ! It will be far more ridgid, wood can move. Noel

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Adequate – yes, brilliant – no. Too narrow for a start although technically you could get all the feet on. Thickness isn’t necessarily good, plus with wood it can warp, though it does give mass. Consider a good framework of wood supporting selected 2x4s or two layers of 3/4 ply, or maybe decking wood if not warped. And of course it is only as good as your floor.

Top the bench with ali sheet to keep the oil under control.

[Thor 🇳🇴Participant @thor]

I have a slightly heavier lathe at approximately 210kg and made my own steel stand for it – see photo below. I agree with Bazyle that a railway sleeper isn’t the best choice.

Thor

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

Those garden sleepers are pressure treated and therefore wet and will also warp as they dry. Air dried timber is seasoned for two years and that is planked thinner than sleepers.

Warco still sell lathe stands separately

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Not a fan of wood as it can move according to atmospheric conditions.

Dar better to have a steel sheet, at least 3mm thick on top.

Even better, make the entire bench from steel; substantial angle iron, or box section for the legs

The objectiive is a rigid bench.

Once the lathe is on the stable bench, then is the time to check for, and eliminate twist from the bed. A lathe with a twisted bed will never cut parallel.

Ian Bradley describes how to do this in “The Amateur’s Workshop” and “The Myford 7 Series Manual”

Somes known as “Rollie’s Dad’s Method”

Strangley, Sparey doesn’t!

Howard

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

Hi  Rich I have a metal cupboard with an additional 3mm steel top with upturned angled edge  to collect swarf and oil but easy to clean and clear. Loads of room for chucks and tools etc in the cupboard and sturdy.

David

 

 

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

 

 

 

 

[Rich2502Participant @rich2502]

Steel it is then.

 

[File HandleParticipant @filehandle]

Did you mean a proper old railway sleeper or the things garden centres now sell. I have used many solid benches made from old sleepers. They do tend to be very heavy.

[Benedict WhiteParticipant @benedictwhite51126]

I built a stand for my Atlas 10 (with a 54″ bed) from box section. 3″ x 2″ and 1/8th thick. Solid and sound. My Myford has a cabinet made from wood and the cabinet weighs more than my Atlas 10.

 

You pays your money, you takes your choice.

[Author]

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