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Thread: Laguna Revo 1836 Ballast Box - pics

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Central KY
    Posts
    17,587

    Laguna Revo 1836 Ballast Box - pics

    Greg Parrish and a couple of others wanted better pics of the ballast box I built for my Laguna, so here they are. The construction consists of two pieces of 2x12 hung in the brackets cast into the legs of the lathe. There are 4-5 pieces of 2x4 turned flat between the "joists" that support the 3/4" plywood bottom. The end caps are cutoffs from the 2x12s. The top of the box is 3/4" plywood, as is the drawer unit on top. The construction of the drawer unit is utilitarian - no slides, etc., but it works fine. There are four 60# bags of sand in the ballast box, and when combined with the lumber, the drawer unit and the drawer contents, I figure there is around 300# of added weight. I have NO vibration issues even when turning 20+" platters off center. While the black paint seemed like a nice addition since the lathe is black - just like a black car, it shows everything! I would suggest something more dust colored!!

    I should add that the dimensions of this build are not designed for this lathe. This same unit was on my Jet 1642-2, and I wanted to reuse as much of the material as possible. I did purchase more 2x12s as the length needed for the Laguna was just a bit longer. The box is a tight fit for the sand bags, and were I building from scratch, I would have extended the length of the box a couple of inches to accommodate the sand better. As it is, I had to really move the sand around in the bags to get the top of the box on as the bags were "scrunched" into the limited space. But....I didn't want to buy new plywood!! I could have and should have used 4/4 stock for the supports under the plywood bottom. That would have given me enough space, but I was too far along in the project to bother with changing it.

    I have added a pic of my light setup, which is actually the shaft from the wire cage left over from my Jet lathe. It fits nicely into the hole provided in the Laguna. Again, an inexpensive addition that could benefit from a less miserly approach - but, it works well!

    The circular object above the lathe on an extendable mount is a 5X lighted viewer that I use for close detail work. I can pull it down in position when needed.

    My tool racks and sandpaper bins are self explanatory. I have quite a bit of additional storage in other portions of my shop and they house turning related items, as well.

    The wood object behind the lathe is a drop down assembly table - a vintage carryover from my flatwork days. Conveniently, it covers the window to the other portion of my shop building - in the event that one might launch a piece from the lathe. It hasn't seen service in that regard, but one just never knows!

    IMG_4817.JPG IMG_4818.JPG IMG_4819.JPG IMG_4820.JPG IMG_4821.JPG IMG_4822.JPG

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    1,950
    That's awesome. Thanks for taking the time to do this John.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Harvey, Michigan
    Posts
    20,801
    Nice work John! Shop sure looks clean!!
    Steve

    “You never know what you got til it's gone!”
    Please don’t let that happen!
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  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Lowell,Michigan
    Posts
    372
    Shop looks so clean, I'm wondering if you do any work????LOL

    Just teasing john. I'm doing a good cleanup in my shop today on my vacation day.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Ambridge, PA
    Posts
    968
    Looks nice and organized John. I've been looking to do something along the lines like you have done with 2 lights and the DC. Do you have any adjustment for the 4" hose other than laterally along the pipe/rod?
    Member Turners Anonymous Pittsburgh, PA

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Sioux Falls, SD
    Posts
    372
    So that's where the magic happens. Very nice looking shop and ballast. I really like the idea of having the drawers easily accessible at your knees. I need to rethink mine. As it stands now I have to reach over my bed to grab tools. I really think Laguna scored with these lathes.
    USMC '97-'01

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Fredericksburg, TX
    Posts
    2,576
    Neat box and the extra weight really has to help. Has me thinking about replacing the rack under my Powermatic 3520 B with loaded with wood and covered plastic to shed shavings.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Lincoln, NE
    Posts
    1,213
    Like the light set up, what brand?

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Central KY
    Posts
    17,587
    Thanks, guys
    Quote Originally Posted by David Delo View Post
    Looks nice and organized John. I've been looking to do something along the lines like you have done with 2 lights and the DC. Do you have any adjustment for the 4" hose other than laterally along the pipe/rod?
    David, the DC hose is jerry rigged and can be positioned in various places. At one time, it was on a pivoting arm, but with lathe upgrades and my ever changing tastes in what I turn, it has suffered from neglect as far as a better system. I need to give it more thought.

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Mawson View Post
    Like the light set up, what brand?
    Steve, I bought these on EBay a few years ago and don't recall. The are incandescent.

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