manual powered lathe

[sparky]

hello to all

i don't look at this forum much so this might be something that has been discussed. has anyone seen or know of plans for a lathe that is powered by the user. somthing like what they might have used before electricity. im a bit of a neanderthal but i would like to try turning and that means that some day i either build a lathe that i power myself or compromise and get a power tool.

just curious if anyone had come across plans of design ideas

thanks
sparky

 

[DaveL]

Hi Sparky,

The traditional foot powered lathe is a pole lathe, used to be a springy sapling with a rope tied to it, wound round the spindle and then tied to a treadle. The work rotates in both directions. Then a springy pole tied to the bench was used and I have seen these powered by big bungee cords.
I have also seen a treadle lathe that has a large fly wheel and is worked like the old sewing machines. There is a chap who’s name I can't remember who demonstrates making flowers using one of these.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Sparky, try this one

http://www.bodgers.org.uk/explorer/front.html

Stuart king has a treadle lathe... and makes 'Gypsy' flowers... amongst many other things. His Da Vinci lathe is worth seeing...

 

[Alf]

This page, bottom right. Lots of links to both treadle and pole lathes.

Cheers, Alf

 

[sparky]

thats great stuff. thanks so much :wink:

sparky

 

[La Truciolara]

Sparky
I started on a pedal lathe, I was so light at that time (and young too) That I had to jump with both legs on the pedal, then turn a bit and then jumped again....And now?... I cannot do without a electronic variable speed control.
The lathe I use as an avatar is that lathe I'm talking about

 

[RayUK]

Keep your eye open on ebay - treadle lathes come up on there on a regular basis. A lot have been converted to electic motors but you can still find the odd original.

 

[CHJ]

Welcome to the forum RayUK

 

[RayUK]

Thanks

I'll try not to sand too many people the wrong way....

 

[Paul.J]

Hello and welcome RayUK.
Paul.J.