Google Analytics Alternative

RWW 167 Treadle Lathe Sea Trials

9 comments
11 years ago
Videos     Woodturning

I was so excited once I got this lathe running that I just had to post a few shots of it in action. Here I’m turning a pulley for the headstock. In the lathe is a softwood pulley I shaped by eye temporarily with a spokeshave and it is a bit big and bumpy. The new pulley will be much smoother and more durable. This was a good first run for the lathe and I’m really happy with it. Just a few decorative details and the finish and she will be done.

For more details the whole build is filmed in ridiculous detail as part of The Hand Tool School Semester 5.

Download this video

Leave a Comment:

All fields with “*” are required

Jeremy

Looks like it will be awesome when it’s tweaked. Congrats on a fine build!

Shawn Graham

That is really looking good and I see the few things you’re still tweaking to make perfect. Really thinking about making a half dozen of these for the school since I can’t afford power ones up front (both lathes and wiring costs).

Just picking up salvage lathes from Craigslist for parts and building frames to get going. I’d think these would be better than pole, though the idea of a combination pole, freewheel from bike and flywheel is of interest.

Stan P.

Looks rock solid and a whole lot safer than that saw you had a clip on on Wood talk a couple of weeks ago. You have obviously done a lot of research on this topic. A curiosity question, between the pole and the treadle, which came first and what was the approximate time frames they were used.

    Shannon

    Stan the reciprocating lathe dates back to the Egyptians and most folks credit Leonardo da Vinci with the first flywheel lathe design. Though many believe Leonardo only drew something which he had seen and possibly improved upon it. Needless to say the pole lathe idea has been around for a few thousand years longer than the continuous motion lathe. The funny thing is that even though the flywheel design is considered by many to be an improvement in the design, these lathes have all but disappeared in favor of electric powered lathes (other than a select few crackpots like me) yet the pole lathe is still going strong today as a favored foot powered lathe. Particularly in the UK, the art of pole turning and “bodging” is alive and well. So one really can’t put an end date on the usage of either lathe. Both of these designs have a long and interesting history. It’s one of the reasons I dedicated a large part of the first video in each build to the historical stuff.

Bob Easton

Looking great Shannon! Very smooth; I had little doubt it would be. Mine is also quite smooth running, but with your’s being massively overbuilt (uprights doubled) it’s no surprise that it’s so smooth and doesn’t dance around the shop.

It’s also good that you are left handed and right footed, the perfect combination for this lathe. 🙂

Now … how are you going to use the spindle on the other side of the head and still reach the treadle?

    Shannon

    I really like having a full length treadle! No matter where I am working on the blank or which foot I use, the treadle is always there. It makes it really comfortable to use. As far as the outboard, this is all experimental as I haven’t seen anybody doing it and very few historical examples other than with great wheel powered exampled like in the Dominy Shop. We shall see, but to power it, I’ll be employing the same kind of crank you used that attaches with a stop collar style joint. My axle extends past my outboard upright by 2″ so I can attach the arm and have a separate treadle. I’ll probably detach the opposite treadle just to kill the extra weight whenever I use it. It will be nice to use for future add ons too.

George Leite

Figured wood on a treadle lathe? Now that’s just showing off. 🙂

Beautiful work Shannon. Your workmanship is inspiring. I always look forward to see what comes next out of your shop. Thanks for sharing your passion.

    Shannon

    It is actually all reclaimed wood from the back of the lumber yard that has checked and grayed beyond recognition. The figure was a nice surprise bonus.

Lathe

Hi, I love this video.
I am new lathe enthusiast. To get some knowledge about lathes I have created website. I Invite you to a small tour.
Cheers.