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Thread: Anyone build a wood lathe?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
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    Albuquerque NM
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    Anyone build a wood lathe?

    I'm thinking about building a lathe and using this as a starting point. Any advice?

    BowlLathe_90.JPG.jpg
    Do or do not, there is no try.

  2. #2
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    Apr 2013
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    Valparaiso In
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    https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...9&&FORM=VDRVRV Here's a video for a little inspiration....

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
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    Berkshire County in Western Ma
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    I made a really small one years ago using pillow blocks for the bearings and a chuck I picked up somewhere

  4. #4
    Norman built a concrete one years ago

    https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread....inions-welcome
    Carpe Lignum

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
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    Albuquerque NM
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    I looked at Norman's build and am very impressed but in my new small shop I like the smaller footprint better.
    Do or do not, there is no try.

  6. #6
    50 years ago I made one. My friend is still using it today...

  7. #7
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    Feb 2013
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    Albuquerque NM
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    I decided to build this style tool rest and eliminate the bed ways altogether.

    c5bc9349f670468c7f861f002a28ed49.jpg
    Do or do not, there is no try.

  8. #8
    I made one 16 feet long that mounts on my sawmill. I use it to cut
    twisted octagons and twisted squares...

  9. #9
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    Feb 2013
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    Albuquerque NM
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    Can you post pix Kevin?
    Do or do not, there is no try.

  10. Not that this is what you're looking for but --- one of my buddies in HS cabbaged together a "wood lathe" when we were 14yrs old so he could play around with the scrap hardwood he had access to from wood shop.

    He took a stationary grinder motor and mounted a hole saw on one end of the shaft. Made an adjustable "table" out of 2x4s and plywood with a dead center made from a punch set in one of the 2x4s. He was turning all sorts of stuff using chisels and screw drivers as his gouges. That guy was amazingly creative ...... and sometimes that could end up getting us all in trouble.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Winterville, NC (eastern NC)
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    Fine Woodworking Magazine had one of their special issues many years back with shop projects which included a homemade lathe utilizing wood components, pillow blocks and other components. I believe they used construction grade pine lumber for the major components/bed/support legs.
    I am currently in need of a lathe with more center-to-center distance (I currently have a short bed lathe). This thread has prompted me to pull out that article and give it a serious look.

  12. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by Kevin Beitz View Post
    I made one 16 feet long that mounts on my sawmill. I use it to cut
    twisted octagons and twisted squares...
    Kevin, would greatly be interested in knowing much more about your sawmill lathe project. I also have a sawmill and have many times made up multi-sided columns but none in a twisted from.
    Thanks!!

  13. #13
    Mike, what FWW magazine issue was this article in?

  14. #14
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    Apr 2013
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    Valparaiso In
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    156
    Fine Woodworking issue 57 Mar/Apr 1986 pg 44 Carlyle Lynch

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