Congratulations to Kent Reisdorph for "Sugarberry Bowl" being selected as Turning of the Week for July 14, 2025
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Check out the tape just posted of the vendor area in Portland. It shows a lot of things, but it clearly shows a man turning on a Oneway 1236 while sitting down. He looks comfortable. I'm betting that Oneway's 1236 is going to spawn a lot of similar lathes that accommodate those who must sit. Good Job, Oneway!
Sit boy Sit. I don't think I would like sitting at the lathe but some days after I've spent an entire day standing on my tile floor studio it might be the only way I could get myself out to the shop.
I have followed with great interest the reactions to this new lathe by Oneway on this forum, WoodCentral and another based in VA. It is amazing how many initial reactions were not positive; of course there were also positive reactions on all three forums. I think that Oneway made a extremely smart move in developing and marketing this lathe. It opens up a whole new opportunity for not only those older people who are unable to stand for long periods of time but also those young people who are handicapped in some way to make using a conventional lathe difficult.
Those of us who are getting older can probably relate to how nice it would be to be able to adjust the lathe so we could stand and then sit down and turn or just do the sanding. I am not ready to trade in my Oneway 1640 yet, but one day I might have to. John, I know what you mean. Even with a great cushon between me and the cement, my knees and feet hurt after standing for 7 hours.
As Barbara said it's amazing how many people have responded negatively to this lathe. I think it takes courage and vision to do what no one else has addressed and reach a demographic that wants to turn, for that alone I congratulate the Family at OneWay.
I think with some time that others will also find ways of using this design to allow then to create new and fun forms,designs that teh mechanics of this lathe allow. I also suspect that this design will spawn other modifications in time that will also make turning more fun and enjoyable down the road. I think reserving judgement on anything till you see what it can do is wise.
My dad used to say that you can learn a lot with your eyes open and your ....thoughts quiet till you have informed questions.
This is an old idea that has finally come front and center.
10 years ago at age 40, I developed early onset Parkinson Disease. The need to be able to sit while turning soon made itself known. Like many I didn't like the thought of sitting while turning. However, I knew if I didn't my turning days would soon be over. I scavenged an industrial sewing machine lift and built a stand for my lathe. Now I had the option of sitting or standing while turning (there are some things that are hard to do on the lathe while sitting). That original stand has been rebuilt several times over the years with refinements that fit my situation. Tilting the lathe over so I can get at it has been one of the best ideas I had. I made it so I could tilt it 30 - 60 - 90. It just depends on what I'm doing.
Since I first built my table, I have built several others for people in the area with disabilities. This has allowed folks who otherwise couldn't turn to enjoy the fun of wood turning.
They say necessity is the mother of invention. They are right. :cool2:
Laying here in my rented hospital bed while my busted femur heals. Can't get to the shop for at least another month. Sure wish I had one of those nifty new Oneways in here with me. Probably hard to get the chips out of the bed but I could learn to live with it! The doctor has told me that standing for long periods of time will be hard to do for as long as a year, I really think I can justify one of these to my wife. Everyone needs a third lathe!! :cool2:
I see this as a very positive thing from Oneway. They are not messing with their already successful regular lathe lines, trying to compromise and pleasing neither.
This is a specific lathe that is targeting the aging turners and those who can't stand up. This Sit Down lathe may allow us to keep our hobby longer when our health starts going down hill. At that stage, we are not going for a big bowl or tall hollow form; so coring or outboard turning to accommodate big capacity is no longer an important feature. With 36" length capacity, being able to turn a cane is a great selling point. Imagine the attention one can get for giving out custom canes to residents at the assisted living place. LOL!
If you are under forty, still physically fit to enlist in the military; look somewhere else. This SD model is not for you.
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