Anyone out there using a homebuilt lathe ? Can you share some pictures with us ? I have a hankering to make one but would like to get some ideas from others on how you did your creation.
-
Congratulations to Bernie Hyrtzak, People's Choice in the January 2026 Turning Challenge (click here for details) -
Congratulations to David Croxton for "Geri's Basket Illusion" being selected as Turning of the Week for February 2, 2026 (click here for details) -
AAW Symposium demonstrators announced - If the 2026 AAW International Woodturning Symposium is not on your calendar, now is the time to register. And there are discounts available if you sign up early, by Feb. 28. Early Bird pricing gives you the best rate for our 40th Anniversary Symposium in Raleigh, North Carolina, June 4–7, 2026. (There are discounts for AAW chapter members too) For more information vist the discussion thread here or the AAW registration page
-
Welcome new registering member. Your username must be your real First and Last name (for example: John Doe). "Screen names" and "handles" are not allowed and your registration will be deleted if you don't use your real name. Also, do not use all caps nor all lower case.
Home built lathes
- Thread starter Leonard Niemi
- Start date
do a search of this forum, theres been a few thread on the subject.
http://www.aawforum.org/vbforum/showthread.php?t=5340&highlight=lathe
http://www.aawforum.org/vbforum/showthread.php?t=6353&highlight=lathe+building
http://www.aawforum.org/vbforum/showthread.php?t=5340&highlight=lathe
http://www.aawforum.org/vbforum/showthread.php?t=6353&highlight=lathe+building
Re: Home made lathe
This is my home made wood lathe. It can swing 22" diameter over the ways. The frame design was inspired by Oneway. The rails were originally a single bar that was part of an old John Deere disk plow. This bar was 2" x 2.75" x 8' and when cut in half determined the length of my lathe. The headstock bearings, motor, VDF and the drive belt are the only parts that were purchased complete, everything else was built in my shop. The motor is 1.5 hp three phase and is powered by a Hitachi Varible Frequency Drive. The VFD and three pulley positions give the lathe plenty of torque and speed choices. Sorry about the poor picture, I am at work now and don't have a good picture with me.
This is my home made wood lathe. It can swing 22" diameter over the ways. The frame design was inspired by Oneway. The rails were originally a single bar that was part of an old John Deere disk plow. This bar was 2" x 2.75" x 8' and when cut in half determined the length of my lathe. The headstock bearings, motor, VDF and the drive belt are the only parts that were purchased complete, everything else was built in my shop. The motor is 1.5 hp three phase and is powered by a Hitachi Varible Frequency Drive. The VFD and three pulley positions give the lathe plenty of torque and speed choices. Sorry about the poor picture, I am at work now and don't have a good picture with me.
Attachments
Here's mine, I call her "Bertha". Built it myself with a little help from my Dad. 2 Hp w/ frequency drive. I went a bit overboard on the beefy side, probably could have used 2" square tubing instead of 4", but the thing is rock solid, and allows me to turn as small as pens, or swing a blank up to 32" diameter.
I'm working on a tailstock for it now. The riser block I fabbed up really works good, but the Delta tailstock is a bit weak for the bigger stuff.
I'm working on a tailstock for it now. The riser block I fabbed up really works good, but the Delta tailstock is a bit weak for the bigger stuff.
Attachments
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2005
- Messages
- 13,207
- Likes
- 5,812
- Location
- Dalworthington Gardens, TX
- Website
- pbase.com
I thought that the tailstock looked familiar ... even with the tiny riser that it is sitting on.
I see that the VFD has its own chair to watch the show. I suppose that visitors must stand.
