Tools for Treadle Lathe

[Bill Haumann]

I'm building a treadle lathe, but haven't turned before!
What tools will I need for turning?
I see that Ashley Iles makes carbon steel pole turning tools, because they don't deal with the heat that a powered lathe creates, and are sharper for the slower turning speeds.
Can vintage chisels be adapted to be turning tools? If so, are socket types okay, or are tang chisels safer?

Thanks in advance.

- Bill

[george wilson]

Any lathe tool can be used. They need to be sharper than lathe tools for powered lathes,because you just don't have the power to make duller tools cut. Acute edges are better for treadle lathes. They cut more easily.

[Bob Glenn]

Will you be building a treadle lathe with a crank driven wheel, or a spring pole lathe? I think you can achieve more RPM's with a wheel driven lathe over a spring pole lathe. The slower the RPM, the sharper the tool has to be. Like George said, you need to grind and hone a lesser angle on the tool cutting edge. Google "bodger" or go to the Greenwood working forum, lots of stuff there.