Build Your Own Wood Lathe – About: I love to do things and challenge my mind! I started playing with Lego when I was 2 years old and it led me to study engineering throughout school. More About Chandler Slowik »
I wanted a lathe because of all the things you can do with them and how nice they look, I knew I could get one for $250 (not including hardware) but it was too much for me budget. So I decided to make one. I stumbled upon a YouTube video by Matthias Wandel and really liked what I saw and thought I could do that. I went out and made one, but there were a few differences. Here are links to the work of Matthias.
Build Your Own Wood Lathe
While I was making the lathe I wanted to know how it started and the history behind it, so I did some research.
How To Turn Your Drill Press Into A Vertical Woodworking Lathe
The art of turning began in ancient Egypt around 1300 BC. Archaeologists found clear evidence of metamorphosed rocks. The Egyptians made a two-man porter; one person spins the rope while the other carves a bowl, plate, weapon or tool. Thousands of plates were found correctly with just one load. For example, the jar above shows how it can be balanced under .15 sq.in. and it does not fall down, because the thickness is very uniform. This shows how much time was spent on the skill of turning, and how well they used a ruler.
Around 1200 BC, the ancient Romans modified the Egyptian design by adding a bow and string to assist in turning, allowing a single person to operate the bow. The Romans shared their knowledge of the lathe with other countries, but not how to use it as the Egyptians did. When Egypt fell in 30 B.C., their ability to convert also disappeared. The Roman design was used for a long time until the middle ages. People began to replace the bow with a paddle and pole (like a hand sewing machine), so one person could spin the piece and work with both hands. there are two.
At the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the lathe was responsible for making the first precision machines. The lathe was able to produce precise parts with ease, because of this, people were able to make precise tools. This is how she got her nickname, the “Mother of Machine Tools”. For example, the British used the lathes as great machines to make guns to fight the American revolutionaries. To power these lathes, they use horses, which later lead to motors or water wheels.
The lathe has been converted into large machines, such as CNC (Computer Numerical Control) metal lathes. These vary in price from $400 to $28,000. The largest tree in the world (pictured above), was made by a company called Shin Nippon Koki of Japan. The rotor can turn a tool weighing 400 tons. This mill was used to make steel for the large propellers on cargo ships. Modern lathes are small, compact and easy to use. There is wood that varies in price from $200 to $4000.
Ultimate Lathe Stand
I didn’t want to spend $4000 on a tree let alone $200, plus I thought making one would be much cooler. So, this Instructable will teach you how to make a simple tree that can do what most woodworkers need to do.
My tree is similar to Matthew’s, but I decided to add some different parts to make installation easier and more reliable. Here’s what you need to do what I did:
1. Poplar tree, about 10 feet, size: ¾” x 3 ¾” x 10’. It costs about $20.
7. A “V” belt about 40 inches long and 1/2″ thick (get this at an auto parts store – about $15)
Turn Your Own Wooden Bowl
8. Pulleys, one to fit on the motor (small) and one for the spindle (large). If you have a 3D printer you can print your parts (you can find links to my designs below). If not, the library may have a printer that people can use. If you can’t find a 3D printer you can make the rest of the lathe and use a wooden pulley, or spring steel from the junkyard.
9. Bearing block. Again, if you can 3D print it, do it. If not, you can use wood like Matthias. You can get it for free if you print your blocks.
10. An AC motor, with switches and knobs. If you don’t have one (why would you want one) then you can check craigslist – that’s where I got mine. If you don’t have any you can look at Harbor Freight or Home Depot if they have one that works. It can cost from $50 to $150.
Now you are ready to start building. I started with the foundation. Cut the pine board into 2, 10” strips, then cut 2 24” polar strips. With the pine board, cut the corners up to go straight to the diagonals. Then drill the poplar between the pine two ways and two sides or legs, it should be like the one above.
Woodworking Mini Lathe Machine: Buy Online At Best Price In Egypt
To make the tail, I cut two pieces of poplar about 6 ½ inches long. Next is a 3” long piece of paper. Gather the 3 pieces together to make a C. For the tool rest, I cut a 10″ piece and a 7″ piece of poplar, then a 3″ piece of 2″ X 4″. Then I then cut a slot in the center of the 10″ piece of paper to allow the tool to move, using the drill and jigsaw. Attach the 2″ X 4″ to the end of the 10″ piece to make an “L”. Finally, take the 7″ piece and attach it to the 2″ x 4″ (as (shown).To hold the pieces from the bottom, I cut pieces of poplar about 2 inches long and cut notches in the sides so they would slide between the grooves (last photo).
So we can do the left side of the lathe, aka the lathe head. I started by making another pine board the same size as the legs of the plank. Cut out 2 more polar boards 6 ½” x 3 3/4″, magic to extend each leg. Attach one leg of the lave and sandwich it with some pieces of wood, to form a band (first picture). do the same with the other leg that was cut off.
To install the engine, I used a manual to mount it. Then I marked where to drill the main hole (for the pulley) and then installed the actual screw. You may want a single hole to be Chanel to give you some flexibility. Take all the holes you need and install them. Add the lower pulley, and you’re good to go.
Then you’ll want to secure the anchor blocks. I set blocks on the tail and on the head of the tree. Then I used a stick to line them all up. Mark and dial where it needs to go. Then he will die at length. You want about 1 ¾” to 2″ to stick out on each side of the head. Then for the tail you want 3″ or more to stick out, so you can work on projects with multiple sizes. and adjusting the engine I adjusted it by adding or removing the pieces below.
Package Of 6 Carbide Simple Wood Turning Tools With Interchangeable Lathe Tool Handle
Now you can turn on your tablet and finish all the loose ends. You can play with the pulley spacing and adjust the motor.
At this point you may be asking yourself how do you install any wood? Well let me tell you, we can use tee nuts and attach them to the end of any part we want to turn. Simply drill a hole that matches the size of the tee nut and hammer it into the wood. Then you can screw it in and support it with the tail and start turning your piece. When turning thin boards I add a clamp tube around the tee nut for support.
When I did this, I wanted to do something that was quite simple but showed its potential. I wanted to make a team for some files I just received. I glued two extra pieces of poplar together and started working down to a nice handle. As I worked I left about 1 1/2″ on each side and then made my piece in the middle. This worked fine, I flattened it and then cut out the blocks on each side and made things you see above.
I learned the hard way the importance of preparing firewood close to a
Best Wood For Lathe Tool Handles
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Lathes And Turning Techniques
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Author by : Editors of Fine Woodworking
Languange Used : en
Release Date : 1991
Publisher by : Taunton Press
ISBN :
Description : The lathe can be the most satisfying machine in your workshop. It doesn't take long to pick up skill, and you can make beautiful things in a very short time. In these 36 articles, expert turners detail the fine points of lathe work and provide a wealth of turning techniques. You'll get in-depth information on: spindle turning, production turning, decorative folk turning, shopmade lathes, woodthurning chucks and chisels, turning bowls, turned-and-carved vessels, and more. --Cover....
Lathe Bed Design
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Author by : Joseph Gregory Horner
Languange Used : en
Release Date : 2022-10-27
Publisher by : Legare Street Press
ISBN :
Description : This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant....
Make Your Own Wooden Flute
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Author by : Steve Schmeck
Languange Used : en
Release Date : 2015-03-26
Publisher by :
ISBN :
Description : Practical, fully illustrated guide to making a wooden flute with tools that are common in many home workshops or can be built. Playing instructions included....
Make Your Own Treadle Lathe
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Author by : Steve Schmeck
Languange Used : en
Release Date : 2014-01-25
Publisher by :
ISBN :
Description : Full color paperback edition. This title is also available as a B&W 'workshop-friendly' paperback edition and as a Kindle eBook."Make Your Own Treadle Lathe" is a practical, step by step guide to building a foot-powered lathe for light duty wood turning. You can build your own treadle lathe by following the well illustrated steps presented in this compact book. The book covers: - Materials & components - Frame and headstock - Belt and tensioner - Tailstock - Tool rest - Flywheel - Using the lathe The author also provides information on some non-turning uses for the lathe and sources for, and some shop-made alternatives to, the parts you may not have. All of the wood needed to build your lathe can be found at the local lumber yard or home center. Use 'Make Your Own Treadle Lathe' to make a near-duplicate of the author's lathe or as inspiration to build the unique human-powered lathe of your dreams. -------------- From the Introduction... Why this book exists: During the twenty years or so since I built this foot-powered treadle lathe, I have received many requests for drawings or plans. The lathe has been used as part of our traditional woodworking demonstrations and it never fails to draw a crowd. Of course, the reason the lathe exists is because I felt a need for it as a tool. Design considerations: Some of the main considerations when designing the lathe were: * Human powered - our solar energy system was pretty small at the time * Size - it had to be less than 42" tall to fit into our old truck * Compact - since it would sit in our small shop most of the time, a small footprint was essential * Portable - as in not too cumbersome or heavy * Functional - it had to perform the basic duties of a light-duty lathe * Adaptable - I had in mind several non-traditional uses for the tool, such as sanding --------------- Many unique and usable lathes have been built using earlier editions of this book. This book provides you with the instructions, photos and illustrations, and inspiration to build your own treadle lathe!...
Make Your Own Treadle Lathe
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Author by : Steve Schmeck
Languange Used : en
Release Date : 2014-04-19
Publisher by :
ISBN :
Description : Note: This is the Black & White Edition. Full Color and eBook editions are also available."Make Your Own Treadle Lathe" is a practical, step by step guide to building a foot-powered lathe for light duty wood turning. You can build your own treadle lathe by following the well illustrated steps presented in this compact book. The book covers: - Materials & components - Frame and headstock - Belt and tensioner - Tailstock - Tool rest - Flywheel - Using the lathe The author also provides information on some non-turning uses for the lathe and sources for, and some shop-made alternatives to, the parts you may not have. All of the wood needed to build your lathe can be found at the local lumber yard or home center. Use 'Make Your Own Treadle Lathe' to make a near-duplicate of the author's lathe or as inspiration to build the unique human-powered lathe of your dreams. -------------- From the Introduction... Why this book exists: During the twenty years or so since I built this foot-powered treadle lathe, I have received many requests for drawings or plans. The lathe has been used as part of our traditional woodworking demonstrations and it never fails to draw a crowd. Of course, the reason the lathe exists is because I felt a need for it as a tool. Design considerations: Some of the main considerations when designing the lathe were: * Human powered - our solar energy system was pretty small at the time * Size - it had to be less than 42" tall to fit into our old truck * Compact - since it would sit in our small shop most of the time, a small footprint was essential * Portable - as in not too cumbersome or heavy * Functional - it had to perform the basic duties of a light-duty lathe * Adaptable - I had in mind several non-traditional uses for the tool, such as sanding --------------- Many unique and usable lathes have been built using earlier editions of this book. This book provides you with the instructions, photos and illustrations, and inspiration to build your own treadle lathe!...
The Metal Shaper
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Author by : David J. Gingery
Languange Used : en
Release Date : 2014-07-11
Publisher by : David J. Gingery Publishing, LLC
ISBN :
Description : Build your own Metal Shaper. Exotic is a mild adjective when applied to this shaper. It will cut splines, keyways, gears, sprockets, dovetail slides, flat and angular surfaces and irregular profiles. And all of these with a simple hand-ground lathe tool bit. Obsolete in modern industry, of course, because milling machines do the work much faster and cheaper. But you can’t beat a shaper for simplicity and economy in the home shop.The shaper has a 6" stroke and a mean capacity of 5" x 5", variable and adjustable stroke length, automatic variable cross feed and graduated collars. You will be proud to add this machine to your shop....
The Creative Woodturner
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Author by : Terry Martin
Languange Used : en
Release Date : 2014
Publisher by : Linden Publishing
ISBN :
Description : The Creative Woodturner is not your usual "how-to" woodturning book. It won't tell you what a chuck is, how to sharpen a scraper, or how to turn a goblet. Instead, this book is a "how-to" for unlocking curiosity, how to break the rules, and for following one's own artistic path with confidence. Designed to give readers a wide-perspective on creativity, The Creative Woodturner begins first with insightful commentary, quotes, and examples from the woodturning and art community that will both inspire and inform. In addition, the author shares his Idea Tools: questions to ask during the planning and creative process that are as important to the creation of the woodturning project as any equipment in the shop. Finally, 16 one-of-a-kind projects--from boxes and vessels to bowls and one-of-a-kind scultpures--are featured that will spark the creative mindset of any woodturner....
