Hello everyone,
I was talking with a friend of mine at the hardwood supplier's, and he
mentioned that he has a book on making a lathe out of wood (I'm
assuming that it would be maple, but I've not seen the book yet) He
had not tried it out, but offered to loan me the book. I guess the
lathe has a 100" bed, and is a beautiful piece of work. I haven't
done any turning yet, but I've been considering getting one of those
midi lathes for a while.
Does anyone know anything about these wooden machines? I know it
would be a neat thing to have in the shop, but I'd like it to be
functional, and not just an oddity. I've made a few other machines
with maple, and it does seem to work pretty well as a wood-shop
substitue for steel, but I've used it for nothing as complex or
potentially dangerous as a lathe. I've got access to a well-equipped
shop now, and it might be the best time to do it- but I don't want to
waste all the time and resources on something that is fundementally
flawed, when I could just make a nice dresser or something.
Any thoughts?
In article <[email protected]>, Prometheus
<[email protected]> wrote:
> Hello everyone,
>
> I was talking with a friend of mine at the hardwood supplier's, and he
> mentioned that he has a book on making a lathe out of wood (I'm
> assuming that it would be maple, but I've not seen the book yet) He
> had not tried it out, but offered to loan me the book. I guess the
> lathe has a 100" bed, and is a beautiful piece of work. I haven't
> done any turning yet, but I've been considering getting one of those
> midi lathes for a while.
snip
There is one here you can take a look at:
http://www.mimf.com/articles/lathe/
Somewhere I recall seeing a kit for building a wooden lathe. The kit had a
pair of cast iron legs , a head stock, tool rest and tail stock. I also
seem remember that they recommended maple beams. I heard that this setup
worked for turning pencil bed posts in one piece.
Grant
U-CDK_CHARLES\\Charles wrote:
> On Mon, 11 Oct 2004 21:07:26 -0500, Prometheus <[email protected]>
> wrote:
> > Hello everyone,
> >
> > I was talking with a friend of mine at the hardwood supplier's, and he
> > mentioned that he has a book on making a lathe out of wood (I'm
> > assuming that it would be maple, but I've not seen the book yet) He
> > had not tried it out, but offered to loan me the book. I guess the
> > lathe has a 100" bed, and is a beautiful piece of work. I haven't
> > done any turning yet, but I've been considering getting one of those
> > midi lathes for a while.
> >
> > Does anyone know anything about these wooden machines? I know it
> > would be a neat thing to have in the shop, but I'd like it to be
> > functional, and not just an oddity. I've made a few other machines
> > with maple, and it does seem to work pretty well as a wood-shop
> > substitue for steel, but I've used it for nothing as complex or
> > potentially dangerous as a lathe. I've got access to a well-equipped
> > shop now, and it might be the best time to do it- but I don't want to
> > waste all the time and resources on something that is fundementally
> > flawed, when I could just make a nice dresser or something.
> >
>
> What you need is a bed that's more rigid than your turning stock. 4x4
> Oak timbers oughta be the ticket.
>
> I'd use modern metal bearings for the headstock. I can't think of a
> good reason to wish wooden bearings on anyone.
>
> In HS industrial arts, they showed us footage from Williamsburg (iirc).
> The shop there had a spinning wheel sort of arrangement (A "walking
> wheel" rather than a treadle drive) that was kept spinning by an
> apprentice, though obviously the belt was beefier than a spinning
> wheel's.
Perhaps the now-defunct Conover? Recommendation was poplar.
You can mount any lathe's tailstock any distance away you please, as long as
that distance is in some way fixed. interior finish friend of mine turned
columns on a 12" Delta lathe with the tailstock ten feet away on a stand
screwed to the floor and attached to the head by the timber he was using as
a toolrest. Truth is, he did most of the "turning" with a plane, and rested
the sander on it to finish.
"Grant P. Beagles" <[email protected]> wrote in
message news:[email protected]...
> Somewhere I recall seeing a kit for building a wooden lathe. The kit had
a
> pair of cast iron legs , a head stock, tool rest and tail stock. I also
> seem remember that they recommended maple beams. I heard that this setup
> worked for turning pencil bed posts in one piece.
>
> Grant
>
>
>
> U-CDK_CHARLES\\Charles wrote:
>
> > On Mon, 11 Oct 2004 21:07:26 -0500, Prometheus <[email protected]>
> > wrote:
> > > Hello everyone,
> > >
> > > I was talking with a friend of mine at the hardwood supplier's, and he
> > > mentioned that he has a book on making a lathe out of wood (I'm
> > > assuming that it would be maple, but I've not seen the book yet) He
> > > had not tried it out, but offered to loan me the book. I guess the
> > > lathe has a 100" bed, and is a beautiful piece of work. I haven't
> > > done any turning yet, but I've been considering getting one of those
> > > midi lathes for a while.
> > >
> > > Does anyone know anything about these wooden machines? I know it
> > > would be a neat thing to have in the shop, but I'd like it to be
> > > functional, and not just an oddity. I've made a few other machines
> > > with maple, and it does seem to work pretty well as a wood-shop
> > > substitue for steel, but I've used it for nothing as complex or
> > > potentially dangerous as a lathe. I've got access to a well-equipped
> > > shop now, and it might be the best time to do it- but I don't want to
> > > waste all the time and resources on something that is fundementally
> > > flawed, when I could just make a nice dresser or something.
> > >
> >
> > What you need is a bed that's more rigid than your turning stock. 4x4
> > Oak timbers oughta be the ticket.
> >
> > I'd use modern metal bearings for the headstock. I can't think of a
> > good reason to wish wooden bearings on anyone.
> >
> > In HS industrial arts, they showed us footage from Williamsburg (iirc).
> > The shop there had a spinning wheel sort of arrangement (A "walking
> > wheel" rather than a treadle drive) that was kept spinning by an
> > apprentice, though obviously the belt was beefier than a spinning
> > wheel's.
>
Wood is a bit lightweight for a lathe. A lathe should be very heavy.
You could make hollow end pieces out of 3/4" ply and fill them with
sand. Popular is a good choice for the bed--it absorbs vibration
better than other woods.
On Mon, 11 Oct 2004 21:07:26 -0500, Prometheus
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Hello everyone,
>
>I was talking with a friend of mine at the hardwood supplier's, and he
>mentioned that he has a book on making a lathe out of wood (I'm
>assuming that it would be maple, but I've not seen the book yet) He
>had not tried it out, but offered to loan me the book. I guess the
>lathe has a 100" bed, and is a beautiful piece of work. I haven't
>done any turning yet, but I've been considering getting one of those
>midi lathes for a while.
>
>Does anyone know anything about these wooden machines? I know it
>would be a neat thing to have in the shop, but I'd like it to be
>functional, and not just an oddity. I've made a few other machines
>with maple, and it does seem to work pretty well as a wood-shop
>substitue for steel, but I've used it for nothing as complex or
>potentially dangerous as a lathe. I've got access to a well-equipped
>shop now, and it might be the best time to do it- but I don't want to
>waste all the time and resources on something that is fundementally
>flawed, when I could just make a nice dresser or something.
>
>Any thoughts?
On Mon, 11 Oct 2004 21:07:26 -0500, Prometheus
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Hello everyone,
>
>I was talking with a friend of mine at the hardwood supplier's, and he
>mentioned that he has a book on making a lathe out of wood (I'm
>assuming that it would be maple, but I've not seen the book yet) He
>had not tried it out, but offered to loan me the book. I guess the
>lathe has a 100" bed, and is a beautiful piece of work. I haven't
>done any turning yet, but I've been considering getting one of those
>midi lathes for a while.
>
>Does anyone know anything about these wooden machines? I know it
>would be a neat thing to have in the shop, but I'd like it to be
>functional, and not just an oddity. I've made a few other machines
>with maple, and it does seem to work pretty well as a wood-shop
>substitue for steel, but I've used it for nothing as complex or
>potentially dangerous as a lathe. I've got access to a well-equipped
>shop now, and it might be the best time to do it- but I don't want to
>waste all the time and resources on something that is fundementally
>flawed, when I could just make a nice dresser or something.
>
>Any thoughts?
I saw a big honkin' lathe made of heavy oak timbers at a rennaissance
festival once. the guy was a little apologetic about the thing- it is
in no way period, even though foot powered. it was a good lathe
though. probably 5 or 6 hundred pounds of timber for IIRC about a 6
foot bed machine. the bearings were truck wheel bearings seated
directly into the oak. it had some kind of a heavy flywheel. very
solid, very quiet running. way cool looking too. it was definitely a
working machine, and a kick ass one. if you can get the timber at the
right price it could be a low dollar way to get a seriously nice
lathe- but it would take a bit of time to pull it all together.
> Somewhere I recall seeing a kit for building a wooden lathe. The kit had
> a
> pair of cast iron legs , a head stock, tool rest and tail stock. I also
> seem remember that they recommended maple beams. I heard that this setup
> worked for turning pencil bed posts in one piece.
>
> Grant
I think that was one of ernie conover's lathes. Unfortunately, I think he's
done with that.
http://www.conoverworkshops.com/ww/news/ww1_5.htm
Prometheus <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Hello everyone,
>
> I was talking with a friend of mine at the hardwood supplier's, and he
> mentioned that he has a book on making a lathe out of wood (I'm
> assuming that it would be maple, but I've not seen the book yet) He
> had not tried it out, but offered to loan me the book. I guess the
> lathe has a 100" bed, and is a beautiful piece of work. I haven't
> done any turning yet, but I've been considering getting one of those
> midi lathes for a while.
>
> Does anyone know anything about these wooden machines? I know it
> would be a neat thing to have in the shop, but I'd like it to be
> functional, and not just an oddity. I've made a few other machines
> with maple, and it does seem to work pretty well as a wood-shop
> substitue for steel, but I've used it for nothing as complex or
> potentially dangerous as a lathe. I've got access to a well-equipped
> shop now, and it might be the best time to do it- but I don't want to
> waste all the time and resources on something that is fundementally
> flawed, when I could just make a nice dresser or something.
>
> Any thoughts?
Some famous artistic turners use homemade lathes, some of wood. I have
a midi (delta) I'm happy with for now, been turning on it for about a
year, it'll do til I get the itch to turn a bowl or platter or vase,
for that matter, that's over 10" diameter. It only cost me $300, and
about another $300 for tools and chucks since then. Built my own stand
out of 2x12 and 2x6 DF with a PB drawer cabinet to hold tools etc. The
cabinet also helps weight down and dampen vibration.
It seems to me, unless you have access to some pretty good bearings, a
decent 3/4 to 1 hp motor, and a shaft with a morris taper in the end,
and standard threads on the outside for very cheap or free, you will
wind up spending more making one than just buying it.
Buying has the instant gratification factor, as well... 8>)
On Thu, 14 Oct 2004 20:44:31 GMT, Joe_Stein <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Sorry, I got the URL backwards. It's...
>http://joesandbettyspages.bravehost.com/page5.html
>
>Oh, that was ShopNotes Vol.13, Issue 73.
>
>I'll see about posting some pics on a.b.p.w.
No need, the link worked for me this time- thanks!
So how does the lathe work for you? I noticed you have a couple of
concrete blocks under it- is that enough to eliminate most of the
vibration, or is it bolted to the floor as well?
>
>Prometheus wrote:
>> On Wed, 13 Oct 2004 21:34:45 GMT, Joe_Stein <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I have built two such lathes, a bench model and floor standing model.
>>>The plans for the bench model were in a recent issue of ShopNotes.
>>
>>
>> ShopNotes? Is that the spinoff of Woodsmith? For some reason, I
>> thought that that one was due to be published for the first time
>> sometime soon (I think I subscribed to it, hard to keep track
>> sometimes!)
>>
>>
>>>The plans for the floor lathe were found on the MIMF (Musical Instrument
>>>Makers Forum) website, written by George F. Farrell. You can see my
>>>floor model here....
>>>http://bettysandjoespages.bravehost.com/page5.html
>>
>>
>> Looks like that page is down- any chance of posting the picture in
>> a.b.p.woodworking? It's always fun to see what stuff looks like. But
>> the real thing I'm wondering is how well it works...
>>
>>
>>>Need more info? E-mail me.
>>>Have fun.
>>>Joe
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>Prometheus wrote:
>>>
>>>>Hello everyone,
>>>>
>>>>I was talking with a friend of mine at the hardwood supplier's, and he
>>>>mentioned that he has a book on making a lathe out of wood (I'm
>>>>assuming that it would be maple, but I've not seen the book yet) He
>>>>had not tried it out, but offered to loan me the book. I guess the
>>>>lathe has a 100" bed, and is a beautiful piece of work. I haven't
>>>>done any turning yet, but I've been considering getting one of those
>>>>midi lathes for a while.
>>>>
>>>>Does anyone know anything about these wooden machines? I know it
>>>>would be a neat thing to have in the shop, but I'd like it to be
>>>>functional, and not just an oddity. I've made a few other machines
>>>>with maple, and it does seem to work pretty well as a wood-shop
>>>>substitue for steel, but I've used it for nothing as complex or
>>>>potentially dangerous as a lathe. I've got access to a well-equipped
>>>>shop now, and it might be the best time to do it- but I don't want to
>>>>waste all the time and resources on something that is fundementally
>>>>flawed, when I could just make a nice dresser or something.
>>>>
>>>>Any thoughts?
>>
>>
Sorry, I got the URL backwards. It's...
http://joesandbettyspages.bravehost.com/page5.html
Oh, that was ShopNotes Vol.13, Issue 73.
I'll see about posting some pics on a.b.p.w.
Joe
Prometheus wrote:
> On Wed, 13 Oct 2004 21:34:45 GMT, Joe_Stein <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>
>>I have built two such lathes, a bench model and floor standing model.
>>The plans for the bench model were in a recent issue of ShopNotes.
>
>
> ShopNotes? Is that the spinoff of Woodsmith? For some reason, I
> thought that that one was due to be published for the first time
> sometime soon (I think I subscribed to it, hard to keep track
> sometimes!)
>
>
>>The plans for the floor lathe were found on the MIMF (Musical Instrument
>>Makers Forum) website, written by George F. Farrell. You can see my
>>floor model here....
>>http://bettysandjoespages.bravehost.com/page5.html
>
>
> Looks like that page is down- any chance of posting the picture in
> a.b.p.woodworking? It's always fun to see what stuff looks like. But
> the real thing I'm wondering is how well it works...
>
>
>>Need more info? E-mail me.
>>Have fun.
>>Joe
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Prometheus wrote:
>>
>>>Hello everyone,
>>>
>>>I was talking with a friend of mine at the hardwood supplier's, and he
>>>mentioned that he has a book on making a lathe out of wood (I'm
>>>assuming that it would be maple, but I've not seen the book yet) He
>>>had not tried it out, but offered to loan me the book. I guess the
>>>lathe has a 100" bed, and is a beautiful piece of work. I haven't
>>>done any turning yet, but I've been considering getting one of those
>>>midi lathes for a while.
>>>
>>>Does anyone know anything about these wooden machines? I know it
>>>would be a neat thing to have in the shop, but I'd like it to be
>>>functional, and not just an oddity. I've made a few other machines
>>>with maple, and it does seem to work pretty well as a wood-shop
>>>substitue for steel, but I've used it for nothing as complex or
>>>potentially dangerous as a lathe. I've got access to a well-equipped
>>>shop now, and it might be the best time to do it- but I don't want to
>>>waste all the time and resources on something that is fundementally
>>>flawed, when I could just make a nice dresser or something.
>>>
>>>Any thoughts?
>
>
I have built two such lathes, a bench model and floor standing model.
The plans for the bench model were in a recent issue of ShopNotes. The
plans for the floor lathe were found on the MIMF (Musical Instrument
Makers Forum) website, written by George F. Farrell. You can see my
floor model here....
http://bettysandjoespages.bravehost.com/page5.html
Need more info? E-mail me.
Have fun.
Joe
Prometheus wrote:
> Hello everyone,
>
> I was talking with a friend of mine at the hardwood supplier's, and he
> mentioned that he has a book on making a lathe out of wood (I'm
> assuming that it would be maple, but I've not seen the book yet) He
> had not tried it out, but offered to loan me the book. I guess the
> lathe has a 100" bed, and is a beautiful piece of work. I haven't
> done any turning yet, but I've been considering getting one of those
> midi lathes for a while.
>
> Does anyone know anything about these wooden machines? I know it
> would be a neat thing to have in the shop, but I'd like it to be
> functional, and not just an oddity. I've made a few other machines
> with maple, and it does seem to work pretty well as a wood-shop
> substitue for steel, but I've used it for nothing as complex or
> potentially dangerous as a lathe. I've got access to a well-equipped
> shop now, and it might be the best time to do it- but I don't want to
> waste all the time and resources on something that is fundementally
> flawed, when I could just make a nice dresser or something.
>
> Any thoughts?
Most of the vibration is dampened except when a piece is really off
balance. It's not bolted to floor.
Prometheus wrote:
> On Thu, 14 Oct 2004 20:44:31 GMT, Joe_Stein <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>
>>Sorry, I got the URL backwards. It's...
>>http://joesandbettyspages.bravehost.com/page5.html
>>
>>Oh, that was ShopNotes Vol.13, Issue 73.
>>
>>I'll see about posting some pics on a.b.p.w.
>
>
> No need, the link worked for me this time- thanks!
>
> So how does the lathe work for you? I noticed you have a couple of
> concrete blocks under it- is that enough to eliminate most of the
> vibration, or is it bolted to the floor as well?
>
>
>>Prometheus wrote:
>>
>>>On Wed, 13 Oct 2004 21:34:45 GMT, Joe_Stein <[email protected]>
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>I have built two such lathes, a bench model and floor standing model.
>>>>The plans for the bench model were in a recent issue of ShopNotes.
>>>
>>>
>>>ShopNotes? Is that the spinoff of Woodsmith? For some reason, I
>>>thought that that one was due to be published for the first time
>>>sometime soon (I think I subscribed to it, hard to keep track
>>>sometimes!)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>The plans for the floor lathe were found on the MIMF (Musical Instrument
>>>>Makers Forum) website, written by George F. Farrell. You can see my
>>>>floor model here....
>>>>http://bettysandjoespages.bravehost.com/page5.html
>>>
>>>
>>>Looks like that page is down- any chance of posting the picture in
>>>a.b.p.woodworking? It's always fun to see what stuff looks like. But
>>>the real thing I'm wondering is how well it works...
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Need more info? E-mail me.
>>>>Have fun.
>>>>Joe
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Prometheus wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Hello everyone,
>>>>>
>>>>>I was talking with a friend of mine at the hardwood supplier's, and he
>>>>>mentioned that he has a book on making a lathe out of wood (I'm
>>>>>assuming that it would be maple, but I've not seen the book yet) He
>>>>>had not tried it out, but offered to loan me the book. I guess the
>>>>>lathe has a 100" bed, and is a beautiful piece of work. I haven't
>>>>>done any turning yet, but I've been considering getting one of those
>>>>>midi lathes for a while.
>>>>>
>>>>>Does anyone know anything about these wooden machines? I know it
>>>>>would be a neat thing to have in the shop, but I'd like it to be
>>>>>functional, and not just an oddity. I've made a few other machines
>>>>>with maple, and it does seem to work pretty well as a wood-shop
>>>>>substitue for steel, but I've used it for nothing as complex or
>>>>>potentially dangerous as a lathe. I've got access to a well-equipped
>>>>>shop now, and it might be the best time to do it- but I don't want to
>>>>>waste all the time and resources on something that is fundementally
>>>>>flawed, when I could just make a nice dresser or something.
>>>>>
>>>>>Any thoughts?
>>>
>>>
>
On Wed, 13 Oct 2004 21:34:45 GMT, Joe_Stein <[email protected]>
wrote:
>I have built two such lathes, a bench model and floor standing model.
>The plans for the bench model were in a recent issue of ShopNotes.
ShopNotes? Is that the spinoff of Woodsmith? For some reason, I
thought that that one was due to be published for the first time
sometime soon (I think I subscribed to it, hard to keep track
sometimes!)
>The plans for the floor lathe were found on the MIMF (Musical Instrument
>Makers Forum) website, written by George F. Farrell. You can see my
>floor model here....
>http://bettysandjoespages.bravehost.com/page5.html
Looks like that page is down- any chance of posting the picture in
a.b.p.woodworking? It's always fun to see what stuff looks like. But
the real thing I'm wondering is how well it works...
>Need more info? E-mail me.
>Have fun.
>Joe
>
>
>
>
>
>Prometheus wrote:
>> Hello everyone,
>>
>> I was talking with a friend of mine at the hardwood supplier's, and he
>> mentioned that he has a book on making a lathe out of wood (I'm
>> assuming that it would be maple, but I've not seen the book yet) He
>> had not tried it out, but offered to loan me the book. I guess the
>> lathe has a 100" bed, and is a beautiful piece of work. I haven't
>> done any turning yet, but I've been considering getting one of those
>> midi lathes for a while.
>>
>> Does anyone know anything about these wooden machines? I know it
>> would be a neat thing to have in the shop, but I'd like it to be
>> functional, and not just an oddity. I've made a few other machines
>> with maple, and it does seem to work pretty well as a wood-shop
>> substitue for steel, but I've used it for nothing as complex or
>> potentially dangerous as a lathe. I've got access to a well-equipped
>> shop now, and it might be the best time to do it- but I don't want to
>> waste all the time and resources on something that is fundementally
>> flawed, when I could just make a nice dresser or something.
>>
>> Any thoughts?
Here's the URL for the homebuilt lathe plans...
http://www.mimf.com/articles/lathe/
Works well enough for me, and I can modify it too if needed. I intend to
modify the tool rest.
Joe_Stein wrote:
> Sorry, I got the URL backwards. It's...
> http://joesandbettyspages.bravehost.com/page5.html
>
> Oh, that was ShopNotes Vol.13, Issue 73.
>
> I'll see about posting some pics on a.b.p.w.
> Joe
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Prometheus wrote:
>
>> On Wed, 13 Oct 2004 21:34:45 GMT, Joe_Stein <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>> I have built two such lathes, a bench model and floor standing model.
>>> The plans for the bench model were in a recent issue of ShopNotes.
>>
>>
>>
>> ShopNotes? Is that the spinoff of Woodsmith? For some reason, I
>> thought that that one was due to be published for the first time
>> sometime soon (I think I subscribed to it, hard to keep track
>> sometimes!)
>>
>>> The plans for the floor lathe were found on the MIMF (Musical
>>> Instrument Makers Forum) website, written by George F. Farrell. You
>>> can see my floor model here....
>>> http://bettysandjoespages.bravehost.com/page5.html
>>
>>
>>
>> Looks like that page is down- any chance of posting the picture in
>> a.b.p.woodworking? It's always fun to see what stuff looks like. But
>> the real thing I'm wondering is how well it works...
>>
>>
>>> Need more info? E-mail me.
>>> Have fun.
>>> Joe
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Prometheus wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hello everyone,
>>>>
>>>> I was talking with a friend of mine at the hardwood supplier's, and he
>>>> mentioned that he has a book on making a lathe out of wood (I'm
>>>> assuming that it would be maple, but I've not seen the book yet) He
>>>> had not tried it out, but offered to loan me the book. I guess the
>>>> lathe has a 100" bed, and is a beautiful piece of work. I haven't
>>>> done any turning yet, but I've been considering getting one of those
>>>> midi lathes for a while.
>>>> Does anyone know anything about these wooden machines? I know it
>>>> would be a neat thing to have in the shop, but I'd like it to be
>>>> functional, and not just an oddity. I've made a few other machines
>>>> with maple, and it does seem to work pretty well as a wood-shop
>>>> substitue for steel, but I've used it for nothing as complex or
>>>> potentially dangerous as a lathe. I've got access to a well-equipped
>>>> shop now, and it might be the best time to do it- but I don't want to
>>>> waste all the time and resources on something that is fundementally
>>>> flawed, when I could just make a nice dresser or something.
>>>>
>>>> Any thoughts?
>>
>>
>>
On Mon, 11 Oct 2004 21:07:26 -0500, Prometheus <[email protected]>
wrote:
> Hello everyone,
>
> I was talking with a friend of mine at the hardwood supplier's, and he
> mentioned that he has a book on making a lathe out of wood (I'm
> assuming that it would be maple, but I've not seen the book yet) He
> had not tried it out, but offered to loan me the book. I guess the
> lathe has a 100" bed, and is a beautiful piece of work. I haven't
> done any turning yet, but I've been considering getting one of those
> midi lathes for a while.
>
> Does anyone know anything about these wooden machines? I know it
> would be a neat thing to have in the shop, but I'd like it to be
> functional, and not just an oddity. I've made a few other machines
> with maple, and it does seem to work pretty well as a wood-shop
> substitue for steel, but I've used it for nothing as complex or
> potentially dangerous as a lathe. I've got access to a well-equipped
> shop now, and it might be the best time to do it- but I don't want to
> waste all the time and resources on something that is fundementally
> flawed, when I could just make a nice dresser or something.
>
What you need is a bed that's more rigid than your turning stock. 4x4
Oak timbers oughta be the ticket.
I'd use modern metal bearings for the headstock. I can't think of a
good reason to wish wooden bearings on anyone.
In HS industrial arts, they showed us footage from Williamsburg (iirc).
The shop there had a spinning wheel sort of arrangement (A "walking
wheel" rather than a treadle drive) that was kept spinning by an
apprentice, though obviously the belt was beefier than a spinning
wheel's.
In article <[email protected]>,
Prometheus <[email protected]> wrote:
> I was talking with a friend of mine at the hardwood supplier's, and he
> mentioned that he has a book on making a lathe out of wood (I'm
> assuming that it would be maple, but I've not seen the book yet) He
> had not tried it out, but offered to loan me the book. I guess the
> lathe has a 100" bed, and is a beautiful piece of work. I haven't
> done any turning yet, but I've been considering getting one of those
> midi lathes for a while.
As a first lathe, I highly recommend the Jet or Delta mini/midi - for
the price, excellent quality, sturdiness and versatility these little
workhorses just can't be beat. After you get some turning experience
*then* look into building your own - you'll have a much better idea of
what capabilities you'd like in your wood lathe.
--
Owen Lowe and his Fly-by-Night Copper Company
____
The problem in this country is that the bar is constantly being lowered;
we then cheer clearing the bar as a great accomplishment and achievment.
On Mon, 11 Oct 2004 21:07:26 -0500, Prometheus
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I was talking with a friend of mine at the hardwood supplier's, and he
>mentioned that he has a book on making a lathe out of wood
Look up "pole lathes". Standard piece of kit for bodgers who work out
in the woods, turning chair legs from green wood.
It's powered by a (wooden) treadle downwards and a bendy pole to pull
it back upwards. It doesn't rotate continuously, it goes back and
forth a few turns each way.
--
'Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu Evesham wagn'nagl fhtagn'