Is this a lathe cabinet? Or will it work for one?

[RaisedByWolves]

I wonder if just the edges are folded over and the top is just thin steel? That would need beefed up I would think?

Yeah, I would put a butcher block top on it and happy.

 

[Aaron_W]

I wonder if just the edges are folded over and the top is just thin steel? That would need beefed up I would think?

I'm guessing you haven't looked at the lathe stands sold with many modern lathes. Most are just sheet metal folded for strength, many just 18 ga or so even on 12" lathes which weigh a lot more than an Atlas. The stand for my 1970s era 11x24" Logan/Powermatic is only a little thicker, maybe 16 gauge.

 

[mickri]

I would offer to haul it away. You can find old steel tanker desks for free on craigslist. And even modern steel desks for free. These will come with lots of drawers to store stuff in. The worst you might have to do is extend the legs if you need it to be higher.

 

[jwmay]

I found out the top is just folded over. It has 1-1/2'' lip on the inside. He said a 2x would fit snug in there. It is 40'' in between the cabinets. My lathe is 36''. So I would for sure need to beef it up. But I am trying to get a 42'' bed,,,lol.

One of the things we do around here is take metal things and make them into what we need them to be. If there’s too much top…remove what’s extra. It’ll be good practice for the thrills ahead.

What you’re looking at is three pieces of metal attached together. Two cabinets, and one top. You can configure that however you need.

 

[Firstram]

We're in negotiation's,,,,lol. Possibly a 3/4 hp Craftsman block grinder?

No! A bench is much easier to build than a 3/4 hp Craftsman block grinder!!!

 

[RaisedByWolves]

I'm guessing you haven't looked at the lathe stands sold with many modern lathes. Most are just sheet metal folded for strength, many just 18 ga or so even on 12" lathes which weigh a lot more than an Atlas. The stand for my 1970s era 11x24" Logan/Powermatic is only a little thicker, maybe 16 gauge.

This is exactly why I would recommend a solid, heavy top.

Let the lathe and top work as one and leave the base to simply support everything above.

1.5” butcher block was the standard for a good lathe bench/stand years back.

Doubled and epoxied/screwed 3/4” ply would be my second option if costs were a concern.

 

[jwmay]

Doubled and epoxied/screwed 3/4” ply would be my second option if costs were a concern.

Been working pretty good here. Covered it with aluminum flashing for a fancy look.

 

[Quick Cal]

UPDATE:

So I got the cabinet. After the deal was done and loaded on the truck he said he had an old Walker Turner wood lathe that I could have for free if I wanted it. But it was buried in another building and would have to pick up at another time. If I didn't want it he was going to scrap it. After looking at it,,, heck ya I want it for free.

This pic is not it. Just one like it for reference. Supposedly you can do metal with it too if you have the compound and all. It does have a 3 jaw chuck on it. Not sure what else is there.




This may or may not be my plan. Not sure until I start on it. So the good news is the top has end cap's on it. Those could be removed and I could slide in 1-1/2'' worth of material. I have several sheets of some fancy laminated wood grain looking mdf that has been in my way for years. I was just about to cut it up and trash it to have room to set up shop. But I THINK this MIGHT work well if I just slide in 2 pieces of this and screw it all together. Would that make a satisfactory top? Or I also have an old 2x bench top I made I could slide in there. No worries. I have too many work benches. I actually need to get rid of a couple to have room. So I wouldn't mind sacrificing one.

If you blow up this pic you can see it's just an end cap.




And I think I might cut 1' off the end where it had a bench vise mounted. And then move the cabinets closer together letting the lathe sit on top of the cabinets.



So you nay sayers say nay.. You yay sayers say yay,,,,lol. I'm open for suggestions.

 

[matthewsx]

All your ideas sound fine, probably a good thing to have the lathe sitting on top of the cabinets.

John

 

[jwmay]

Where does a person find friends that have lathes they want to give away? Geez!