Lathe Stand / Leveling

Groundhog

Groundhog

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Just got a 12x36 Central Machinery lathe (think Grizzly 4003), weight about 1,000lb. A stand did not come with it so I'm making one and getting close to finished.

However, as I research leveling I see that most stands have 2 sets of levelers at the head stock and 1 set at the tail stock. I designed my stand with 1 set of levelers at each end. Do I need to add a second set of legs and levelers?

The frame that bolts to the chip tray and directly to the lathe is 1.5 x 1.5 x .125 tube. The rest is 2.5 x 2.5 x .125 tube. Levelers rated at 400lb.at each corner and the tube is reinforced where the levelers attach.

Stand 2a V9

Stand 2a V9

This is what I've designed and almost built.
What I designed and almost have finished.

Stand 1a 3 Legs V1

Stand 1a 3 Legs V1

Do I need this?
Do I need to add a third leg?? (this drawing mistakenly shows the top frame 2.5 x 2.5 tube - it is not. It is the top frame in the top picture.)
 
Personally, I would use 4 levelers, one at each corner as in your original plan. My Emco Super 11 is set up like this and I had no problem leveling it.
 
I'm with Mikey.
The stands you saw with four levelers under the headstock, were they for a stand using two independent cabinets as opposed to a single rigid structure like yours?
 
Yes, there was a bigger stand under the headstock with 4 levelers and a smaller stand at the tailstock end with 2 levelers. They were connected by sheet metal I think. The one I looked closer at was a larger lathe, maybe a 20".
 
What you are building makes the most sense for that lathe. The four levelers at the head stock end are fussy to level evenly, and no doubt leave stresses in the setup that eventually settle, changing the results as they settle and requiring more iterations to get right. I know because I have that style. I can see six levelers on a bigger lathe or one with two separate stands, but is is not an elegant solution. Actually, three points would be better for leveling only, but four are necessary to introduce (or remove) any desired intentional twist of the bed. Keep it simple...
 
What they said, plus a couple other thoughts.

That shelf is a good idea. You can load it up with chucks and what not and add weight to the stand. Weight = stability. That's not a particularly heavy lathe, so it might benefit from more weight in the stand.

As far as four point weight distribution, it should work fine. In fact, three point would be even better, as Bob said, two under the headstock where most of the weight is, and one under the lighter tailstock end. I had a LOGAN 825 that had a cabinet set-up like that and it was a breeze to level up the stand.

And, for these lighter lathes, leveling the stand is a kind of gross adjustment. You still have to level the lathe bed on that stand. I'd be thinking about adjustable screws to attach the stand to the feet of the lathe, for fine leveling.

One last thing, you didn't say what material is used for the chip tray. I once used 3/16" sheet steel welded to the four corner posts, and it picked up every little vibration and amplified them. It was like a drum. A couple of cross pieces would work if that becomes a problem for you. Maybe weld them in now, just in case.
 
OK great, thanks for the input. 4 levers it is. I am getting a little tired of this fab work anyway. Maybe I'll be ready to paint later today.

eeler1, the chip tray is the one that came with the lathe so I am assuming (I know, assuming makes an ...) that it will be OK. The chip tray and splash guard (in fact everything that came with the lathe when new and more) came with it - a lot unopened from new! Still thinking about methods of leveling the lathe itself but will probably just use shims.
 
Last edited:
Groundhog said:
Still thinking about methods of leveling the lathe itself but will probably just use shims.
Click to expand...
Shims are good. Use them with nylok nuts or double nuts. You dont want to overtighten the hold down bolts. (That can introduce stresses and twisting), they just need to be firm enough to secure the lathe in position.

Cheers Phil
 
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