Thread: Lathe stand fixing?

Is it really necessary to bolt down a pressed metal lathe stand?

I'm pretty sure as a kid at Tech school, seeing rows of Hercus lathes on cabinets, just sitting on a timber floor.

What is you're advice?

Ken

Originally Posted by neksmerj

Is it really necessary to bolt down a pressed metal lathe stand?

Ken

I suppose you could reverse the question and ask is there a good reason not to bolt down a lathe stand ?

No there's not really, if it's at all possible.

Apart from the security from tipping as a top heavy item, you also control vibration and prevent walking if doing large eccentric jobs,

A couple of dyna bolts give peace of mind.

I can't imagine that OH&S would allow an unsecured stand to be used these days.

Rob

I am glad I read who replied and asked the question 3 times you two have such similar handles I though "He's answered his own question"

I would love to bolt my new/old lathe down but as I am renting its not going to happen. I will agree safety is a major concern. I think its on here there was a thread containing about a workshop/TAFE near a railway line and the results from trains passing and lathe vibrations.

Similar handles Ray? One of them is Ken and one is Rob........ oh yeah but thats just what i see in my head, the forum names Nearnexus and Nerksmerj are a bit similar...

Hi Ken,
I would bolt it down for sure, not only are there the factors Rob mentioned but it also makes the lathe much easier to level if the stand cannot move or twist.

Gday Ken,
At the school I was at before I left teaching, they purchased some new lathes.


They requirement from somewhere was that the lathes, some reasonable quality 12 x 36 Chinese jobbies, were to be bolted.
The also built concrete piers under them,(ground to floor joists) to prevent them dancing about.

As was said, it gets back to what is being turned.

Grahame

My chinese 10 x 24 is on a reasonably sturdy angle iron stand. I can't get the slight twist out of the bed because the stand flexes. I don't want to drill the floor to bolt it down, so my plan is to weight the stand with concrete blocks. May or may not work.

My lathe is on a wooden stand so I'm not sure if bolting it down would make a lot of difference.
I'm more than happy to stick couple of Dynabolts into my rented floor if it will help.

In a provincial city here,there was an engine reconditioner with a crank shaft grinder, a heavy machine all 5 tons real tons.In a nearby factory was a engineering shop with a heavy press. Every time the pres banged down the crank would adjust itself .001- .002'' on the cut.This scenario created a problem solved by each operator contacting what was press days and what were crank grinding days.
Some times is worth choosing who your fellow factory occupiers are and what they do to alleviate these problems.
Also this city was an old gold mining town with big hollow underground areas where the yellow metal was won from.

Have some machines here secured and some on wheels for portability. just move them and level up with retractable feet anchors.
The technical school I attended had a machine shop that was at least 10 feet off the ground at the end of the wing.K dried hard wood floor with the proverbial rows of Hercus A types on pressed metal cabinets. Just jumping on the floor would affect a small cut.Oh those days of ''phillistine teenage pranksters.Fond memories. Cheers John.