treadle lathe

Some time ago, I asked all the purchasers of my Treadle Lathe ebook if they would like to show us the lathes they have built. A few responded with pictures and information. This is the fourth in a series of those responses. (1st one here, 2nd one here, 3rd one here )

I ~think~ Simon Jack lives somewhere way up in the north of Scotland.

As you will see Simon, like most builders, applies ingenuity to what he builds … and he apparently has an abundance of old auto parts to draw from. 🙂  He says:

” I’ve eventually managed to build a treadle lathe which works quite well. It’s not the prettiest thing in the world, there’s signs of emergency surgery here and there, but I’ll re-do the headstock etc etc next time i’m home. I added 30 kilos of lead diving weights to the flywheel to increase the mass, and a Ford Transit wheel disc to give the spindle added momentum. The V belt tensioner came off a 1980 model Ford Escort. All that’s needed now is a reasonably priced elephant so I can shift the thing around…. ”

In another email exchange, this time about weighted flywheels, Simon replies:

“I’m very much a novice at wood turning but then again everyone starts from square one, and learning the hard way is usually the best way.   I downloaded a lot of YouTube videos on this subject and I was left with the impression that the heavier the flywheel the better. One or two advocated an extra flywheel on the spindle (8 kilos in my case) so I tried that, and it was a definite improvement; but I still need get it properly balanced. I ended up changing this and that as I went along. I used a bicycle pedal crank cut down and re-welded to 2.5 inches between centres, i also tried 3.5″ tried 4.0″. I used oak for the head stock and the co-rod etc..”

Simon sent these photos for our enjoyment…

I very much enjoy seeing how other people have built their own versions of lathes. It is interesting how we adapt to our own tastes, needs, and available materials. Every one of these lathes shows ingenuity in solving some of the mundane foibles of home-built machines, and gives me ideas of how to make some of my own improvements.

THANKS very much for showing us your work Ty, Dave, Joseph and Simon. This is the last of the lathes people told me about. If you have a lathe you would like others to see, please let me know and I’ll be delighted to show your work too.

Simon and all the rest of you, are very welcome to add additional information or discussion with the Comments form below.

Some time ago, I asked all the purchasers of my Treadle Lathe ebook if they would like to show us the lathes they have built. A few responded with pictures and information. This is the third in a series of those responses. (1st one here, 2nd one here.)

Joesph Henson appears to live somewhere in Virginia, USA.

Joseph and I have exchanged few words, neither of us starting a talkative email series. On the other hand, Joseph sent quite a few pictures. He has gone well beyond a simple practical implementation with niceties like a spoked wheel, extra curves here and there, heavily reinforced supports for the drive wheel, an idler wheel for belt tensioning, and a very nice handwheel on the end of the head shaft. (Makes me feel like a neanderthal for hand turning my head shaft using the belt.) Note also the index head, which Joseph used when fluting some columns you’ll see a bit later.

Joseph also sends photos of a clock he built as a gift for his wife, in which he incorporates turned objects from the late … including the columns whose flutes were managed by the indexing head.

Joseph and all the rest of you, are very welcome to add additional information or discussion with the Comments form below.

Some time ago, I asked all the purchasers of my Treadle Lathe ebook if they would like to show us the lathes they have built. A few responded with pictures and information. This is the second in a series of those responses. (1st one here.)

Dave Webster appears to live somewhere in British Columbia, another Canadian.

Dave mentioned that he acquired Stephen Shepard’s plans, and watched Mr. Chickadee’s lathe build on YouTube, and merged those ideas with my ramblings. I noticed a couple of interesting things about Dave’s lathe. He solved the problem of the wandering driveshaft pulley by trapping it between a couple of collars; much easier than pining it to the shaft. Dave has also added a sort of belt tensioner. I’m guessing that it is temporary and will be replaced with something of lower friction.

Dave sent along a couple of pictures for your enjoyment. …and his is yet another shop cleaner than mine!

The last time we exchanged mail, Dave mentioned he was turning large dowels that were to be threaded. Here’s hoping they turned out well and many more good things will come from his lathe.

Dave and all the rest of you, are very welcome to add additional information or discussion with the Comments form below.