Making a Lathe Bench for a Myford ML10

[starjumpParticipant @starjump]

Hello All,

I wish to site a Myford ML10 lathe in my small shed/workshop. It will have to share the space with some woodworking and tool/timber storage etc. It arrives on Sunday

The lathe has a Myford drip tray of the standard type and riser blocks.

I’ll be constructing a timber bench to pop the standard type of Myford drip tray, riser blocks and lathe onto – as it doesn’t currently have a stand (and I wish to use materials I have to hand).

I have in mind that I’ll need to make the set-up stiff, to resist vibration and to incorporate some adjustability, to remove twist etc during initial set-up. There was a suggestion online that the riser blocks on the ML10 weren’t adjustable, effectively spacers for lathe height only? (I’ve ordered adjustable feet, for my as-yet-not-started bench, but could send them back if need be).

I’m hoping that you may have some suggestions to help me and other new ML10 owners get the most from the lathe: ML10 specific experience; coping with confines of a small shed and/or design details for the bench I’ll be building. Thank you in advance.

Starjump.

 

 

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Make the height so that cross slide handle is level with your navel, myford stand height gave me backache until I stood if on 6″ square timbers

[starjumpParticipant @starjump]

Great! Thank you Duncan.

 

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

There have been quite a few topics on here about lathe benches if you can find them but the thread title may not always be straightforward.

Is the shed floor concrete or a suspended wood floor? if the latter consider working out where the bench feet are going to be and cutting holes then getting some kind of foundation down there.
Insulation and draughtproofing are worth doing before the shed gets full.
You need good torsional stiffness in the bench more than being overconcerned with the weight. Kitchen cabinet style flat sheets (but ply not chipboard) are better as ‘legs’ than traditional 4×2 legs, and a sheet along the back.
You can level (actually untwist) the lathe by adjusting only one of the 4 mounting points, sensibly raising the front tailstock one as most accessible one with shims from drinks can material. If that foot needs to be lowered offset things by putting a few shims under the adjacent rear foot first.

You mentioned vibration for which mass is good. If you have lots of odd wood scraps you could always make the top quite thick.

I don’t like chipboard as a benchtop even if laminate kitchen top as if liquid gets in it swells or sags.

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