Building a Simple Lathe Stand from 2x4s

In my tiny workshop, space is always at a premium. Recently I needed to find a home for my Grizzly G0844 bench-top lathe. Instead of buying a bulky store-bought stand, I decided to build one myself — something small, sturdy, and perfectly sized for my space. The best part? It only took about five 2x4s, some glue, and a few screws used mostly as clamps while the glue dried.

This project shows how effective simple joinery can be when the weight of the tool is carried wood-on-wood.

Designing the Stand

The first step was figuring out the right height. For comfort and safety, the center of the spindle should line up with your elbow when you’re standing at the lathe. For me, that worked out to about 43 inches.

I also wanted the stand to have splayed legs. A small footprint was important since the stand sits near a door, but the slight angle of the legs makes it much more stable than if they were straight.

Rather than using 4x4s, I laminated pairs of 2x4s for each leg. That made it easier to cut the necessary joinery: the inside pieces hold the long rails, while the outside pieces hold the shorter side rails. Everything locks together like a puzzle.

Why Build Instead of Buy?

A store-bought stand might work, but building your own lets you:

• Size it perfectly to your height

• Make it fit your workshop footprint

• Keep costs low

• Use simple, durable joinery that lasts

In the end, I got exactly what I wanted: a small, sturdy, and perfectly fitted stand that doesn’t waste space or wobble when in use.

If you want to see the whole process step by step, including the joinery cuts and assembly, check out the video here:
👉 Watch the Lathe Stand Build on YouTube