I have an ancient Ztyo lathe, probably made in the late 1930's. Originally I think that it was mounted on a bench, as the swarf tray is very flimsy. After buying it I mounted it on a steel frame - and the swarf tray just wobbles around. It's made of very thin steel sheet, is patched in a few places, and I'm looking for a replacement.

It will need to be around 85cm x 35cm (33" x 14" ) and made of a reasonably stiff metal. Probably around 25mm deep (not critical).

I've looked at a few places, tried to be 'random' about where I look (e.g. cooking trays) but I just can't find anything suitable. I could get some steel sheet then cut, bend and weld it, but there's not too many places near me who'll sell just a part of a sheet - I don't want to clutter my nice newly-tidy garage with a load of leftover metal! Bending sheet steel of 1.2mm or 1.6mm would also be a challenge.

So - can anyone suggest where I could look for a ready-made tray - something I can adapt to my needs?

Any use ?
https://www.commercialdehydrators.co.uk/product/50-x-85cm-stainless-steel-pan-trays

Submit a drawing to Fractory.com - I was surprised by how cheap it was. If you can't find a baking tray to suit.

might an upside down dexion shelf work?

this shows the size, but these ones are vented
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224933623837?hash=item345f16b81d:g:weAAAOSwhE5iVTFX

Coyoteboy's Fractory suggestion seems a good call.

Alternatively are there any local fabricators local to you who might make you something suitable?

I found one local to me when building my MK Indy who helped me with metal supply and the odd bit of welding (didn't have a welder at the time). Often for very little money! Might be a simple thing for them knock up for you.

Thanks for the inputs so far - I'll try and respond to each one:

The dehydrator tray: way over-sized in the front-to-back dimension (50cm). I have only a little space behind the lathe because of the motor drive belt & pulleys. At a pinch, it could be cut and welded at the back as I would need a near vertical piece there anyway, to support the splash/swarf screen I plan to fit. Also, I'm not sure it would be sturdy enough - I suspect that it's quite thin metal - I'd have to handle one to see how rigid it would be. Not writing it off completely though, as I like the shallow sloping edges that would be perfect for the front and sides.

Dexion shelf: Not sure how rigid that would be when off the racking and unsupported. Worth investigating though, as long as they don't have too many inconvenient holes. I don't use free-flowing cutting fluid - too messy - but the current tray often gets covered in fine swarf that seems to get everywhere, together with oil from the plain bearings.

Fractory.com: Nice idea, although I'd have to produce a decent drawing - maybe a DXF file? I can do that, but it will mean a lot of head-scratching!

Local fabricator: Very good idea, if I can find one. Ipswich and its surrounding area used to be quite an industrial town, but there's not many places left nowadays*. Worth doing some research anyway, and at least I can get away with a rough pencil sketch to illustrate what I want!

I should add that I don't intend to be a cheapskate about this tray - but it would be nice to get something off the shelf that I can use with little or no modification.

Keep the ideas coming - I need all the help I can get!

* UPDATE: I was wrong - I found three local fabricators, one of which is the sort of place that will turn their hand to automotive, domestic and industrial work. Time to get a drawing together!

[Edited on 22/4/22 by David Jenkins]

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Originally posted by David Jenkins
but it would be nice to get something off the shelf that I can use with little or no modification.

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Originally posted by gremlin1234

The dexion, is not quite off the shelf, - its the shelf itself! -

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Get busy drawing what you need and off to that fabricator. Useful friends to have.

My benchtop RF32 mill had 1/2 of a 44 gallon drum split in 2 pieces with the front edge at 4oclock and back at 10.
It was sealed up near the base with patch and bolted on with 40mm x 3mm angle.
It held coolant and stopped 70% of the chips hitting the floor.

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Originally posted by nick205
Get busy drawing what you need and off to that fabricator. Useful friends to have.

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Originally posted by David Jenkins

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Originally posted by nick205
Get busy drawing what you need and off to that fabricator. Useful friends to have.

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Just visited the man - he's more than happy to do it, so I'll prepare some sensible drawings (rather than the 'back of a fag packet' sketch I showed him!) and get back to him.

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Originally posted by nick205
Winner!

Get drawing and let him get making - then you can get turning

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