Buliding a woodlathe

ausdag · Post by **ausdag** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:03 pm

Hayall,

Does anyone know how to go about building a simple, but good enough for pipes, wood lathe? I was thinking that since pipemakers used treadle lathes in the old days that a simple powered lathe would also be satisfactory for learning the art in the early stages whilst saving up for a bigger number. Would it be easier /cheaper to build one because 2nd hand ones are real hard to come by?

Cheers,

DavidG

djm · Post by **djm** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:19 pm

Have you checked eBay for used lathes? They are not so hard to come by if you are willing to accept the quality of a home-made lathe. Many of the pro pipemakers are using metal lathes for the increased accuracy and control. These are also available used from time to time. Like anything else, you get what you pat for. I have seen some articles on the web about home made lathes. You would still need machinist's tools etc. As for the treadle lathes, I have seen these in use, and it would take you a VERY long time to create anything with them that would come close to the accuracy required to make a chanter.

djm

Jim McGuire · Post by **Jim McGuire** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:23 pm

Lathes are relatively easy to find. In pre-cable TV days, men had lathes out of necessity and for enjoyment. So, manual treadle lathes are out there and likely unused.

As far as other lathes, there are a ton on eBAY.

myrddinemrys · Post by **myrddinemrys** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:25 pm

I've seen some plans mentioned doing random Google searches. In fact, I think there's probably some books that you may be able to check out at the library. I don't know if there's anything like an interlibrary loan in Australia . . .

Jim McGuire · Post by **Jim McGuire** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:32 pm

Ask your pipemakers in Australia, too. On their way to getting their lathe(s), they usually encounters other ones that for one reason or another they didn't acquire.

Uilliam · Post by **Uilliam** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 1:42 am

David.. have a look at these which may be of more use to ye,as I am sure ye have already thought of looking at EBay :roll:
The 1st is quite a detailed drawing for building a treadle lathe the other 2 are foties of 2 others,one utilising a sewing machine treadle which is good (O'Mealley used one as did I think Rowesome).
Let me know how ye get on ,I fancy making one frae the sewing machine as I have one so let me know how ye get on..ie I will let ye figure it all out,build it and then ye can send me the plans so I have an easier time o it

http://www.woodturningplus.com/TJones/return3.jpg

http://www.lathes.co.uk/goodell-pratt/img17.gif

http://www.americanartifacts.com/smma/advert/ay83b.jpg

or ye could go primitive with....
http://www.gallica.co.uk/celts/polelath.htm

or...http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/wood.htm

Slán Go Foill
Uilliam

ausdag · Post by **ausdag** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 5:07 am

Uilliam wrote:David.. have a look at these which may be of more use to ye,as I am sure ye have already thought of looking at EBay :roll:
The 1st is quite a detailed drawing for building a treadle lathe the other 2 are foties of 2 others,one utilising a sewing machine treadle which is good (O'Mealley used one as did I think Rowesome).
Let me know how ye get on ,I fancy making one frae the sewing machine as I have one so let me know how ye get on..ie I will let ye figure it all out,build it and then ye can send me the plans so I have an easier time o it

http://www.woodturningplus.com/TJones/return3.jpg

http://www.lathes.co.uk/goodell-pratt/img17.gif

http://www.americanartifacts.com/smma/advert/ay83b.jpg

or ye could go primitive with....
http://www.gallica.co.uk/celts/polelath.htm

or...http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/wood.htm

Slán Go Foill
Uilliam

Thanks people for the suggestions. Uilliam, you're right, I've done the Ebay thing - no good yet.

But yes, I have considered using a sewing machine treddle from the old Singers that are still to be found a-plenty here in Australia. Thanks also for the links. I'll do some homework and see what I can come up with.

Cheers,

DavidG

ausdag · Post by **ausdag** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 5:13 am

djm wrote:You would still need machinist's tools etc.

djm

Really??? I was planning on just using the toothpicks from my pantry

Sorry....couldn't help myself. Just being faece....faceis...stupid

djm wrote: As for the treadle lathes, I have seen these in use, and it would take you a VERY long time to create anything with them that would come close to the accuracy required to make a chanter.

djm

I'll just have to invest in the 3-phase powered types that Harrington and Coyne used then

Cheers,

DavidG

eric_smith · Post by **eric_smith** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 6:36 am

http://files.owwm.com/PDF/krucker/1883Lathe.pdf

Bit on George Lott:

http://www.pipersgathering.org/Program% ... lights.htm

Some photos:

http://www.pipersgathering.org/Gallery% ... heSD03.jpg
http://www.pipersgathering.org/Gallery% ... e2SD03.jpg
http://www.pipersgathering.org/Gallery% ... e3SD03.jpg

djm · Post by **djm** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 7:18 am

Dave, I was simply pointing out the amount of time it takes to turn anything out with a treadle lathe. Yes, they are noted for the degree of accuracy that an experienced operator can achieve, but you had previously noted that you had played a chanter that was turned out in an hour. You won't be turning out much of anything in an hour on a treadle lathe. If you have nothing but time on your hands then, sure, go for it. Enjoy!

djm

patsky · Post by **patsky** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 7:25 am

Why put all that energy into trying to build and/or purchase a used wood lathe. Here is a new one for under $200 dollars. With planning and care you can build a set of pipes on this machine.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cf ... mber=G8691

Kevin Popejoy · Post by **Kevin Popejoy** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 9:25 am

I have to go with Pat on this one. What do you want to be, a pipemaker or a lathe maker? The rig I have (Jet 1236) is more than adequate for the demands of pipemaking. It cost me something like $450US. It ain't perfect, but it's functional. Contrary to what some may tell you, the turning involved in pipemaking isn't all that demanding. Although, judging from some of the stuff I've seen out there, apparently it's demanding for some. Your primary concern as a pipemaker is the ability to drill and ream an accurate bore and tone holes. Even that can be accomplished on relatively modest gear. I would suggest that, at a minimum, you should find a lathe with a morse taper tail stock. You'll also need a drill press, but there again, a modest bench model would be adequate. Expect to spend more time and money on your tooling than you do on your machines.

Kevin

tramaluk · Post by **tramaluk** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 9:30 am

hi try a look on this site

http://www1.tpgi.com.au/users/p8king/tl4000.htm,

seems like a nice lathe to me

djm · Post by **djm** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:16 am

Tramaluk, consider how long a chanter is, especially flat chanters, then look at the size of the bed on this lathe.

djm

PJ · Post by PJ » Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:34 am

From what little i know, a wood lathe is no good - too short. You're better off with a metal lathe.