How to Build a Lathe Bench

A lathe bench elevates your lathe and makes woodworking tasks more comfortable.

Building a lathe bench for the garage or wood-shop is an easy task for the experienced woodworker. Lathe benches are very similar to other work benches, although they are slightly narrower in design. These benches must be very durable, because lathes exert a lot of vibration. Benches like this made of basic wood and nails will not suffice. Sturdy construction lumber and plywood are adequate for building lathe benches and cost much less than pre-manufactured benches.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• 4 Pine boards, 2-inch-by-8-inch-by-33-inch
• 4 Pine boards, 2-inch-by-8-inch-by-14-inch
• 4 Pine boards, 4-inch-by-4-inch-by-29-inch
• Plywood, 3/4-inch, 17-inch-by-33-inch
• Screw gun
• 48 wood screws, 3-inch

Instructions

1. Set two 33-inch boards on edge, parallel and 14 inches apart. Set two 14-inch boards between them so they are perpendicular to the 33-inch boards and 30 inches apart. Screw through the 33-inch boards and into the ends of the 14-inch boards so you have a 17-by-33-inch frame. Use 12 screws for this step.

2. Lay your frame flat and position a 29-inch board in each corner so they are perpendicular to the frame. These are the legs to your lathe bench and they must be even. Screw through the frame and into the legs using four screws for each leg

3. Position the frame and legs upright. Screw a 14-inch board to the legs, 16 inches below the 14-inch board on the frame. This board should be aligned with the 14-inch board on the frame. Repeat this process on the opposite side of the bench frame.

4. Screw a 33-inch board to the legs so it is 16 inches directly below the 33-inch board on the frame. This board's ends should be flush with the14-inch boards that are 16-inches below the frame. Repeat this process on the opposite side.

5. Place the plywood on top of the bench so all of the edges are flush. Screw the plywood to the frame, us three screws for each side.

6. Bolt the lathe to the bench with the proper bolts. Screw the bolts directly into the plywood.

References

• Teknatool: Lathe Stand
• Hammerzone: Building A Basic Work Bench