Roll-Up Tarp Protects Metal Lathe

Roll-Up Tarp Protects Metal Lathe FARM SHOP Tools 34-2-39 Roger Gutschmidt wanted to keep dust and dirt from collecting on his metal turning lathe, so he set up a roll-tarp to protect it when it's not in use. Four pieces of 3/4-in. metal conduit, each bent to an L-shape, hold the tarp over the machine. The two outside "support bows" are stationery while the two center supports are held in place by strong magnets on top that stick to metal plates attached to the wall. The bottom of each removable support has a large flat washer welded to it to act as a free standing "foot." Gutschmidt had the tarp specially made to fit at a local shop, so that it just touches the floor when fully extended. "The tarp has a long pocket at the top end with a 1-in. dia. pipe through it. That pipe is screwed to the wall," he explains. "In a pocket at the bottom of the tarp, there's a bigger 2-in. dia. pipe, which allows me to manually roll it up faster. The size and weight also makes it unroll quickly." The roll-tarp dust cover measures about 4 ft. tall by 3 ft. deep by 11 ft. wide. According to Gutschmidt, the custom-made tarp cost him $160, the bow material was $30, and with the rest of the supplies, the project came to around $250. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Gutschmidt Manufacturing LLC, Roger Gutschmidt, 6651 Hwy. 56, Gackle, N. Dak. 58442 (ph 701 698-2310; shopdoc@drtel.net).

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