Today, cheap dodgy machine tools are more readily available than ever. Sometimes though, there’s great value in putting a simple and rugged version of your own, as demonstrated by [bartworker]’s woodworking lathe build.
The core of the build is a hefty wooden base, something that is a core component of any good machine tool. It was built from a large beam sourced from a ship supply house, and originally used to hold a sturdy vice. It eventually gained a motor from a cement mixer when [bartworker] decided it should be converted into a lathe. From there, it was further equipped with a sliding support for larger workpieces, allowing [bartworker] to lathe some seriously big stock. Standard Cnc Lathe Chuck Machining Cutting Tool
The lathe is very much an ever-evolving thing, and [bartworker] has used it to share the joys of woodworking with his family and friends. As a demonstration of its abilities, the lathe was able to produce a handsome handle for [bartworker]’s axe.
As this story shows, the only thing better than a tool you build yourself is one that your friends get to enjoy too! Meanwhile, if you’ve been whipping up your own machinery, don’t hesitate to drop us a line!
It will be interesting to see how he manages a multi-jaw chuck in that lathe.
“First lesson learned: when the center of gravity is not aligned with the axis of the lathe, you’re in trouble.”
I imagine once the whole machine started moving, they forgot how the dispersement of the wood’s weight can make a lathe go bonkers.
Great article but a little light on details. I am curious what they used for a tool rest, for example.
One look at title photograph has Norm Abrams rolling over in his grave at the speed of that lathe.
He’s still alive though!
Note that you can go much simpler and still DUY a useful tool. Websearch “pole lathe”, a traditional design from before electric motors.
“Look around, can you form some sort of rudimentary lathe?” -Guy
A lathe on wheels, cant get much more rudimentary or dangerous than that. That ax handle did not come cheap. Nice project .
Very interesting. A video would have been splendid!
I particularly liked the narrative aspect of this story. This guy seems quite skilled at turning unintended physical objects into something they weren’t designed for, tinkering past multiple fails, and eventually building something useful without hurting himself. He continues this trend into the land of inter-tube-webs. Who’d have expected Instructables would be usurped as a storytelling platform? Brilliant! If all you have is a hammer, I guess everything is a nail.
Glad you guys picked up my project, l had a blast scrolling through the comments – and l’m still alive kicking this project further ;)
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