I also have a disc/belt combo, but it is one speed... too bloody fast. Also it is hard to mount control tables /jigs on the poopsy tabletop supplied with it... I tried modifications, but the speed and mounting clamps got the better of me.
Many woodies have one of these 2 way vises for use on their DP, which I believe Splinter is referring to, however, the woodies I know, never considered moving it over to their lathe. I did mine quite a while back, and had to alter some of the "vice's directional layouy" for easier movement (I made reference to it in the video). Then it was a simple case of adding a tabletop to it, The above is an old one (left over from my DP), as I have customised all mine to this new 2 way tabletop held on by mag-switches.
I appreciate it's nowhere as good as a metal milling table, but for me it's a cheap/simpler compromise.... though the milling table was not cheap. Nevertheless I can now clamp material down (not on the one pictured just above), control the feed better and take advantage of my variable speed. Furthermore I can reverse the lathe and sand on the RHS, extending the coverage.
I'm just hoping this blog may give some out there a few ideas... you don't need a laser, but for me why not use what I have.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
