Jonathan your scenario is a lot harder than mine mine was a straight path, my path is more substantial than yours looks.

Taking the stand off will reduce the weight but i guess if you stripped every thing off you will only shave off 25% of the weight.

The lathes are shimmed & mounted to take out twist in the bed this is done by measuring not cutting that is why it is not to be attempted without the right equipment.

No i haven't done it on a lathe but i did on my small Taiwan mill and they are not in the same class "Junk" is how i would describe them, so no great loss.

Phil