Making a New Pole Lathe Part 3

Have spent the past couple weeks finishing off the lathe so will try and make this the last post in regards to the construction.

Step One: Prepare the Metal Centres

once the material is found, grind the centres.

I like to have one center bent so I fired up the forge to bend the center

Step Two: Placing centres in poppets

Drill hole into poppets.

once the hole has been drilled take a mallet and strike the center until it sits perfect. Then simply check how the center looks and line it up with the other taller poppet and mark where the other need centre needs to be.

Step Three: Tool Rest Assembly

To start take the actual tool rest and mark a line where it sits level

This marks out where the support for the tool rest needs to sit (just below the line). so drill the hole there.

split a piece of wood and hammer into the hole. then place the tool rest on top.

Note: this tool rest alignment is for a left handed turner. for right handed reverse alignment.

Step Four: Treadle, Pole, and Done!!!

The lasts step for the lathe are to source a decent sized pole, some wood for an A-frame, and the treadle. When you have sourced all of this the last thing to do is tweak it all until you are happy with it and test the lathe out. I tested out a piece of sycamore to see how the lathe performed and I am pleased with the results.

If anyone has got any questions or feedback about this project please leave a comment on this blog.

Making a New Pole Lathe Part 2

Have finally had chance to do a write up of building my new pole lathe. After Christmas and the recent weather I have been tinkering with my oak bed to make it fit for purpose.

Step 1 fitting the legs to the bed

Axe the legs to fit the holes in the bed. The legs didn't sit flush initially but I just trimmed them until they were fairly level and just above my hips.

Once level, test the bed to make sure it handle any extra weight. I tested it by sitting on bed to support my whole body weight. This is done because the lathe will take many forces when uneven bowl blanks spin.

Step 2 Mark up the legs

These markings make it easier to line up the legs to get the same fit and height. Numbering the legs to the holes also works very well.

Step 3 Create the poppets

Select a suitable piece of wood. preferably straight grained.

Saw the piece to length. Remember to leave a little extra length just incase.

"you can take more off, but you can't put it back on"

Next mark up and cut the tenon to fit through the slot.

And repeat to create the second poppet

Next couple of stages will be sourcing the metal centres for the poppets though these may require an entire post focused on them alone. Then the tool rest set up will follow afterwards.

Hopefully my next posts will become more regular showing more update as I go.

Again any questions please feel free to ask.