pole lathe poles

[bourbon]

Hi All. I am a Pewter caster in a medieval living history group based in the Midlands. We have a carpender, Blacksmith, cook and a fletcher. We have just had a family join us and the Dad is building a pole lathe, In my capacity as 'the guy who can source anything' I have been tasked with finding 12ft bendy poles. I don't want to saw down random trees at the side of the road. Can any of you fine people point me in the direction of said Items. Thank you

 

[Bm101]

Hazel poles I think. Look for coppiced areas of woodland to get the long straight branches. Might be worth getting in touch with a local conservation/woodland group and have a chat.

 

[lurker]

He can practice using a bungee
But guess thats not very good for re enactment days

 

[bourbon]

not really authentic for 1450. Maybe 1950's! he will be practicing with a bungee screwed to the roof of his garage. We as a group will be helping this project get off the ground. Our carpender will be improving his lathe bed and poppets, The blacksmith will do all the metalwork and I will be getting my grindstone out and sharpening the tools he makes. All of this will be happening in the middle of a field!

 

[Sheffield Tony]

I feel I ought to be able to answer this one, but I usually cheat and use a bungee too. The pole is a bit of a pain IMHO; need to be fairly fresh to have the right spring, can't move inside when it rains, can't work on hardstanding, can't use a light portable lathe without the pole tending to lift it off the ground, and worst of all when demonstrating the spectators have to be kept far from the action lest they get hit on the head by the pole. Or worse still, the far end pulls out from the ground, springs up and gets someone on the gentleman's department (I have seen it happen !).

One design that works well is two short splayed posts one sticking up from each end of the lathe bed with a cord between. Works much like the bungee but without modern materials.

I think that the poles I've seen in use are often hazel.

 

[bourbon]

Thanks for the reply Sheffield Tony. I take it you demonstrate the pole lathe, We will have no problems with set up. We have been doing this for 20 years and are well versed in it. (At least our 18 page risk assessment says so) We use riven oak fences to keep the public at a distance from the forge, we can just extend it to accommodate the lathe. One of the awnings uses 11 foot poles so will be high enough to keep the guy dry. I'll try and post a pic of the forge se up so you get the idea.

 

[woodpig]

One design that works well is two short splayed posts one sticking up from each end of the lathe bed with a cord between. Works much like the bungee but without modern materials.

That's the way it was done for a demo at my club.

 

[bourbon]

we still have to research the authenticity of the sprung poles, Although given that Medieval craftsman would be in a woodland I am of the thought that he would have used a branch that would still be attached to the tree! Unfortunately, The land owners of the fields we use, take a dim view of even touching the trees, never mind throwing a rope over a handy branch

 

[bourbon]

https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/ ... e=59721D1E

 

[lurker]

I have genuine Elizabeth Woodvile knicker elastic for sale. Any use?

 

[novocaine]

I have genuine Elizabeth Woodvile knicker elastic for sale. Any use?

hows she keeping her knickers up now then?

did you swap for some braces?

 

[lurker]

I have genuine Elizabeth Woodvile knicker elastic for sale. Any use?

hows she keeping her knickers up now then?

did you swap for some braces?

She stopped wearing any in 1492

 

[bourbon]

oh her, she has a bit of a reputation you know. LOL

 

[bourbon]

UPDATE: I managed to track down a school friend who I knew works in woodland conservation. He has supplied me with a six year old, 14ft long nice springy sapling of Alder, We will be putting the lathe together and refining it on the 23rd of April at Fordhill farm Shropshire. If anyone wants to come along and comment that we are doing it all wrong please feel free!

 

[bourbon]

ANOTHER UPDATE: We did the show last Sunday. The pole lathe went down a storm. fitted in really well with the rest of the display of Blacksmith, carpenter, pewter caster and needle maker. After waiting five years to get this working, I was well chuffed!