8 Things New Woodturners Forget When Setting Up Space for a Lathe

If you’re thinking about buying your first lathe, you’re probably focused on just the machine itself, the model, the swing, the motor size, maybe even the brand. But in reality, the lathe is only part of the story. The bigger challenge is creating a workable space around it.

I see this all the time with new students. I generally spend a small portion of Tuition time discussing where their new lathe is going to be situated and I normally offer some advice that is included in this post. It is clear to me that many haven't thought that far ahead and it also reminds me that I was once in the same situation and did exactly the same thing. We live and learn.

If you haven’t purchased a lathe yet, I’ve written a guide called Buying Your First Woodturning Lathe in 2025 which walks through the key things to look for before spending a cent. Most new turners focus on brand names and motor sizes, but your workshop layout and available space matter just as much.

Why Clearing a Corner Isn’t Enough

The normal thought process for many students has been; clear a corner of a shed, make just enough room to stand in front of the machine, and think they’re ready to go. Unfortunately, that setup will hold you back almost immediately.

So in this post, I want to share the 8 things new woodturners forget when setting up space for a workshop lathe. These are the issues most people don’t even realise exist until they run into them the hard way. These are based on my own experience and what I've observed talking to students.

1. The Type of Shed or Garage Really Matters (More Than You Think)

Before you even place the lathe, you need to think about the actual building you’re working in.

Different sheds behave very differently:

• Timber sheds can get damp and cold, especially during winter - rusty tools & lathe beds.

• Steel sheds sweat with condensation and can rust tools in no time - droplets falling on electrics.

• Old garages are often draughty with poor natural light - not the healthiest working environment.

• Garden sheds can fluctuate from freezing to roasting in a single day. - insulation installation required.

Light, heat and dampness all affect your tools, your safety and the comfort of working long hours. Good LED lighting, a small heater, and some moisture control (even basic ventilation) can make a massive difference. This is one of the biggest things beginners underestimate.

I also talk about this in my post Why Do Most New Woodturners Fail? because a lot of beginners run into simple workspace issues that slow them down long before technique becomes the problem. A good workspace sets the foundation for everything that follows.

2. It’s Not Just Space for the Lathe — It’s Space for You

A lathe might only take up a couple of feet, but your body needs room to move for more complex shapes.

What you need room for:

• space for your stance - and yes, the beer belly if applicable.

• room to shift your weight - Turning requires a large range of motion.

• safe elbow movement - nothing worse than knocking your funny bone mid movement.

• space for stepping sideways along the bed - you also need to be able to clean shavings etc.

If you’re squeezed against a wall or a bench, you simply won’t be able to turn properly or safely.

3. Elbow Room for Bowl Turning

Turning bowls involves wide, sweeping movements far over the lathe bed and back towards where you stand. Your elbows will flare out, and your body will naturally lean and follow the arc of the cut.

If there’s a wall or shelf beside you, you’ll bang off it every time.

Why this matters:

• Your elbows flare out naturally during larger cuts.

• You’ll need to lean and follow the curve of the bowl.

• Walls or shelves beside you will get in the way.

• A simple “broom handle swing test” helps check clearance.

This is one of the most common mistakes I see when students reorganise their sheds or turn next to their lawnmower or car in the garage.

4. Future-Proofing: Bed Extensions & Outboard Turning

Many new turners only think about the lathe they have today. They don’t consider the lathe they might want in two years. Future-proof your workshop layout from the start.

Leave room for:

• Longer spindle turning using bed extensions - needed for bowlturning.

• Outboard bowl turning on larger lathes - bed extensions require extra length & width.

• Upgrading to a bigger lathe later on - longer and wider area plus space for you.

• Working comfortably without hitting nearby walls or benches - just like pool or snooker.

If you push your lathe into a corner, you’ll limit yourself immediately. Leaving enough room now gives you options later when you want to turn bowls or longer spindles. Always plan for a bigger lathe and a space for keeping your first lathe as a backup machine or buffing station using a Buffing Tree.

If you want to see what a serious long-term upgrade looks like, I reviewed my own Vicmarc in Vicmarc VL300, An Honest Review. It shows the kind of machine you might eventually grow into if woodturning becomes a bigger part of your life.

5. You’ll Need More Power Sockets Than You Think

A lathe needs power, that part is obvious. Whatever amount you are thinking of - triple it!

You also need sockets for:

• a proper workshop light - Overhead and Gooseneck lighting

• an extractor - essential for sanding and chip removal.

• a sharpening station - essential for maintaining sharp tools.

• Your phone or camera if you film your work - video work needs juice.

• a heater in winter - without it, you won't want to turn.

• a fan in summer - without one, you'll melt!

  
  

Extensions hanging everywhere aren’t ideal and can be dangerous if overloaded. A tidy power setup reduces tripping hazards and keeps the workflow smooth.

6. Tool Rack Placement Is Crucial

I went through many variations before I was happy with my tool racks. When you have 6 in use lathes, its not just one setup to cure all.

You want your tools:

• organised - each tool stacked in order of use.

• reachable - without you having to reach over spinning wood.

• safe - can't be knocked or fall off on their own.

• not too close to the lathe (to avoid vibration knocks) - goes without saying.

A poorly placed rack means twisting your body mid-turn or reaching awkwardly. A well-placed rack becomes part of your rhythm.

7. You’ll Need a Separate Surface for Measuring, Marking

A small workbench or even a sturdy table is essential. I have a habit of burying my workbenches so I bought a few Halfords trolleys and made plywood tops for them. I then proceeded to also bury those too. What can I say, I'm a busy man.

You’ll quickly find that:

• calipers

• rulers

• pencils

• sandpaper

• finishes

• abrasives

• paper towels

… all end up piled on the lathe if you don’t have a dedicated space.

And a cluttered lathe bed is the fastest way to ruin a cut or knock something onto the spinning workpiece. A piece of advice from a professional, I have multiples of every tool in my workshop. If something is misplaced or falls in the shavings, I have backup.

8. Don’t Forget Sharpening & Sanding Material Stations

Sharpening is not an occasional job, you’ll be doing it every day. If your grinder is across the shed, you’ll waste time and break your turning flow.

Ideally, your sharpening station should be:

• close to the lathe, maybe at your back a short distance away

• at a comfortable working height

• well lit

• easy to access without moving tools out of the way

A sanding cart or organiser is also a huge help for keeping grits separated and avoiding the “where did I put the 240?” dance.

Bonus: Wood Storage & The ‘Dump Table’

Even beginner turners end up with:

• bowl blanks

• spindle pieces

• offcuts you swear you’ll use

• drying pieces

• finished pieces

partially finished ideas you might come back to someday

If you have nowhere to put these, your lathe area becomes a disaster.

A simple shelf or rack makes life much easier.

And yes — every workshop ends up with a “dump table.”

You might as well plan for it!

Final Thoughts

Setting up your lathe is more than clearing a corner and plugging it in. Your workshop layout shapes how safely and comfortably you can turn.

If you haven’t yet, you might also want to read my post Your First Woodturning Lesson — What to Expect, which gives a real-world sense of how much movement is involved when you’re actually at the lathe. It ties in nicely with what I’ve talked about here.

Thanks for Reading,

David

About the Author

I’m David Condon, a woodturner and small business owner based in Tralee, Co. Kerry. I’ve been working with wood for most of my life — 11 years as a carpenter and over a decade running my own woodturning business.

During that time, I’ve worked with Irish hardwoods, taught woodturning, and run my workshop full-time. On this site, I share the same knowledge I pass on to my students — from choosing the right wood and tools to finishing techniques that make every project shine.

I also stock a carefully chosen range of turning blanks, tools, and craft supplies that I use every day in my own work. You can explore more of my handcrafted pieces and classes at David Condon Woodcraft.

© David Condon Woodcraft – All Rights Reserved.

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