Floor covering for lathe!

[gasmansteve]

Hi all
I have an unheated concrete garage with concrete floor and wondered about putting some interlocking rubber tiles (I think they are called anti-fatigue?) on the floor before installing my lathe in it and wondered what others use?. I don`t think I`ll be bolting it down as it weighs enough already. I have also thought about insulating the garage but not sure if its really worth it other than protecting my new lathe from possible condensation. Interested what others do in similar situations to protect their pride and joy?
Cheers
Steve

 

[Paul.J]

Here is a post i put on some time ago Steve.
I use mine all the time now,and they do keep your feet warm and more comfy

 

[PowerTool]

Same as Paul,wouldn't be without them.

Andrew

 

[stevebuk]

hi steve
sorry mate i only work in a wooden cabin with 2 heaters in so cant help..

 

[Philip Streeting]

I built my workshop from scratch after working from the back of my garage and then a small shed. Insulation was a key factor in my building scheme. It was also a significant cost factor. The walls of my workspace are some 8" thick overall. The outer insulation is a compressed fibreglass board folllowed by 4" polystyrene. The roof and underfloor is lined with 6" polystyrene. This will seem overkill to some but the 24ft x 12ft space split into two spaces is heated by two small oil filled heaters. It is also sound insulated to some extent so neighbours are not annoyed by machine noise.
The two main benefits are warm in winter and cool in summer and no moisture problems.
I also have the matting mentioned above around my lathe for comfort and non slip purposes.

 

[beejay]

Same as Paul and Andrew, what a difference they've made.
Regards, Bill

 

[Jeremys]

Hi Steve,

I use a large rubber mat (reclaimed from a horse box) in front of the lathe. Makes a real difference...especially in the cold weather.

I have a similar set up to you (concrete floor etc) and put basic insulation in and a oil rad. Really worth doing IMHO...I wish Id done it when I moved in, rather than filling the shop with leads of kit to be moved. before this I ran a de-humidifier on a low setting, which wasn't really satisfactory.

Incidentally, my lathe also weighs a ton (big cast monster) but I found it beneficial to bolt it down. I bolted it onto a layer of lead flashing...10 minutes work but it makes me more comfortable turning big stuff.

Sorry if its obvious, but you don't want the lathe to sit on the rubber tiles...



Jeremy

 

[gasmansteve]

Thanks all for the quick replies, Never thought of Argos good one Paul :lol: .
The lathe will no doubt squash the matting in time not too bothered about that as it should still have no contact with the cold floor.
Think I`ll have to get me head round insulating it all just as I`ve wired it all up in conduit for 240v Doh!! :?
Thanks again
Steve

 

[Gordon T]

Hello again Steve,

just as Paul J says anti fatigue mats ( I got mine in a sale at maplin ), keep my feet a lot warmer on the concrete floor.

and to prevent rusty lathe and tools I use an electric sun tube, which runs at night on a simple timer and costs the same as a 100watt bulb to run, and gives warmth when turning ( as it did this afternoon when sanding a hollow form for two hours),

GT

 

[gasmansteve]

Gordon
-daft question but where do you have the sun tube fitted in relation to the lathe please?

Jeremy
- quite like the thought of the oil filled rad, do you find it economical to use? looking at some 2kw rads in screwfix.
Regards
Steve

 

[Jeremys]

I keep a 2kw oil rad on medium overnight, and have a small fan heater to give it a quick blast when I'm first in there.

you can calculate cost based on your KiloWatt hour price from your electricity bill. I reckon my rad is at approx 50% (1kw) and my overnight kwh price is 7p. it runs from 6pm - 8am (14h)

so my cost per day is 98p (7 x 1 x 14)

before the cold snap I had it lower, so would have been cheaper...

 

[Gordon T]

Steve,

I built a cupboard unferneath my lathe, paced 2 large head screws one on either end, mounted the suntube on a thin plank of wood, cut a hole on either end and the plank hangs on the screws about 12 inch below the bed bars. It keeps rust at bay from the lathe and the tools which hang on a board behind the lathe. I have used it for the last 2 to 3 years, no rust yet. ( I also have a 3kw oil filled radiator,which I have not yet used this winter!) and after another 2 hours sanding today I can still feel my fingers and toes!!!!
Hope this helps

GT

 

[bobham]

Hi:
I'm not sure what your concern is about having the lathe directly on the concrete, but you definitely DO NOT want it to sit on top of the rubber matting. The resilient material will amplify, not dampen, vibration. If you really feel you need to keep the metal off the floor you could attach hardwood "feet" to the bottom of the legs. White oak would be a good choice.

Good Luck!
Bob

 

[robo hippy]

I like to be comfortable when turning. Thick rubber pads on the floor, or put down some nice hardwood flooring, then the rubber pad. Do put the feet of your lathe on wood, or directly on the concrete, as you want them as solid as possible to dampen vibration. I don't have mine bolted to the floor. I was told by a rubber mat company that the mats from a horse stall are made to comfort horses which weigh a lot more than we do, and that we are better off with softer pads. I got several 1 inch thick neoprene mats for my floor. Couldn't turn with out them, even with the best of shoes (one piece of equipment we often over look). I have a pole barn for my shop which is sheet metal top and sides, and a concrete slab. When I moved in, there was sheet rock on the sides, and only craft paper on the ceiling. The first time it rained, I almost went deaf from the noise. I insulated the ceiling, and took out the aluminum garage door, and framed in a man door with windows. I use an oil radiator for heat. We seldom get below freezing here, and on the coldest days, it is a comfy 55 to 60 degrees F. In the summer, I turn the fans on at night, and even on the hottest days it stays about 70 F. If I ever build my ultimate shop, I will have a concrete heated/cooled floor with a hickory wood floor on top, 6 inch thick insulated walls and ceiling. Maybe about 10,000 sq feet. All I have to do is win the lotto.
robo hippy

 

[gasmansteve]

The resilient material will amplify, not dampen, vibration. If you really feel you need to keep the metal off the floor you could attach hardwood "feet" to the bottom of the legs. White oak would be a good choice.

Thanks for that info Bob. I`ve been concerned about condensation and such like that I forgot about the vibrations involved
Regards
Steve

 

[boysie39]

Steve, I got the fatigue mats for shed 14'x 16' or there abouts I bought 4 packs used 2 and which covered my floor area have 2 in reserve. I'll never get used to this metric stuff. Its brillant cant wait till I can get me two feet on it :lol: :lol: .

Robbo,my shed is galvinised steel and it really rains in Ireland and I know how you feel, do you ever get the odd shower of hail at all?? What did you say? what?

REgards Boysie.