If you do something like store it on a bench to the side front to back, you could have a shelf surface above where the lathe is stored to provide some additional flat surface.? You would still have all the square footage of the workbench, just with some of it elevated.

Another tangential idea to the old sewing machine flip over design is the Sears Craftsman "Rotary Tool Bench."? I think this is an idea that might look a little better on paper than in practice (and might be a reason why it is no longer made.).? It is also designed for sort of smallish tools.? But a three-sided scheme could probably be made that would the lathe on one face, something else on another face, and perhaps the last face blank to just be more workbench surface when neither of the two machines are being used.

I'm thinking that it might be about the same work to make a three-position rotary as a two-position flip (or something that raised and lowered the lathe with an insert to fill the hole when lowered)..? And that would provide a home for another machine perhaps infrequently used.? The weight imbalance would be an issue to deal with, or at least be very careful with.

Charles E. "Chuck" Kinzer

On Saturday, December 30, 2023 at 11:50:46 AM PST, Paul Fox <pgf@...> wrote:

mike wrote:
> ... Could ya make a
> cutout in one of the work benches with the lathe mounted to it & when
> not in use ya turn it over & the lathe is now mounted upside down under
> the bench top . ...

Ha!? That's great!? It's particularly amusing to me, since my main reason
for getting a lathe is that I collect and restore antique sewing machines,
and they sometimes need parts or screws that can't be found anymore.? And
sewing machines very often are stowed in their cabinets by sort of flipping
them upside down, just like you describe.? It would be perfect.? :-)

But I suspect there are easier ways.? Arthur suggested wheels -- very
true, and much of my stuff is already on casters so I can move it
around.? If I can find a place to park a small bench with the lathe on
it, that might well be the answer.? (There's one particular sewing
machine that might be a good candidate for sale in that case -- it
occupies a prime spot under the cellar stairs.)? And also as Arthur
said, having a cabinet under the lathe for all of the lathe-related
stuff would be smart.? Hadn't thought about that.

paul
=----------------------
paul fox, pgf@... (arlington, ma, where it's 41.9 degrees)