Making a pole lathe

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Mafro

Settler
Jan 20, 2010
598
2
Kent
www.selfemadeknives.co.uk
I've for a long time had romantic notions of turning bowls on a pole lathe.
I've never used a pole lathe before, so nothing like jumping in at the deep end.

No plans used, just looked at a few pictures and am making it up as I go along.

The main body of the lathe is a 200 year old lump of oak that a friend of mine reclaimed from a local church many years ago.

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I have foraged some good lumps of cherry that I have used for the uprights that the bowl will get mounted onto.

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I then forged and ground the two spikes that the bowl and mandrel rotate on.

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And then last night I had an attempt at forging a hook tool. This is only the second time I have had a go at forging anything. The tool was made from an old suspension spring from my car.

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Still quite a lot of work to do before I get get turning, but I'm a little step closer to that dream :)
 

Seabass

Tenderfoot
May 2, 2012
92
0
Borders, Scotland
Here is an image of the ones type we make at Wooplaw for turning between centres. Yours truly in action.

You want plenty of weight in the bed. How are you going to nip up the tail stock to hold the workpiece
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Mafro

Settler
Jan 20, 2010
598
2
Kent
www.selfemadeknives.co.uk
Here is an image of the ones type we make at Wooplaw for turning between centres. Yours truly in action.

You want plenty of weight in the bed. How are you going to nip up the tail stock to hold the workpiece
View attachment 35552

Your picture isn't showing for me Seabass. However, I have chiselled out holes on both uprights that accept a wedge, meaning that they can both be moved to whatever position I require.

Blimey, that's only your second attempt at forging?

Nice work!

Yeah, only just got a decent forge going. Made a wood working knife a year or so back, and now the turning hook. Really enjoying playing with hot metal.
 

Seabass

Tenderfoot
May 2, 2012
92
0
Borders, Scotland
Yup - photo is goosed. Here's Bob helping someone make a pole lathe at our Green Woodworking Weekend some years ago. They're just augering the holes for holding the tool rest support pegs.

Yes the uprights (poppets) need to be wedged to the bed - usually below with two opposite wedges this pulls the upright down and locks it to the top surface. The winder on the upright this end is threaded rod with a ground point and handle welded on. This makes holding / adjusting the workpiece very easy. Two shallow 1" holes drilled in the top of the uprights can hold a thumb of grease to lubricate the centres.

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