Nice to see someone say they have a spring pole lathe where they actually have a spring pole. The critical height for a lathe of any type is that the centers should be at elbow height. A little higher is not to bad but interferes with having the handle low enough to get a proper shearing cut and bowl turning becomes such an issue that you might need a platform to stand on. Lower centers will interfere with your posture and any one with potential lower back problems will soon find working with this sort of device most uncomfortable. It is also recommended that you switch leg functions so you are not always standing on one leg and treadling with the other. Learning to turn left handed- if you are right handed- and vicevesra will make this easier and will pay off when you need to get at a detail without turning the work piece end for end.
Always enjoy M&T videos, this one is no exception. I have wanted to build a spring pole lathe for over a year now, I just have to decide where to put it, it does take up a little more floor space than a modern lathe.Thanks for the wonderful video guys!
Nice presentation! I’ve always been interested in these, but never had one. A thought on the problem of accidentally cutting the rope: obviously, you can’t just tie it because the knot would be in the way, so maybe if you set it up with one end of the rope having a few feet of extra length beyond where it’s tied. That way, if you do cut it in the middle, you can tie it back together and use some of that extra length to move the knot away from the active part.
Thanks for the info. I've wanted to make a foot powered lathe for a while. Looks like a good way to get some cardio in :-). I ordered the 3 issue book and look forward to seeing the article on this lathe. Sourcing large enough lumber might be a little difficult in my area, but I'm sure I'll be able to source some eventually.
I'm thinking of building one of these later on in my woodworking "career". Do you think this could turn softer metals like Aluminium and Brass? It definitely wouldn't be a micrometer-precision machine part, but I could see myself using one of these to make some friction fit drawer pulls, brass plane setting mallets and chisel handle rings. Other fun ideas could be mounting a cutting tool on a long screw and somehow matching speed with the lathe turning to cut some super rough threads that will *definitely* need hand filing+rasping.
You mentioned the longer tools for bowl turning and I have heard others briefly mentioned them in other videos but as far as details, drawings and such are there any reading materials available that you could recommend that would show, demonstrate making those? Or can they be purchased somewhere?
Really enjoying all of your videos, but most of all, your philosophy. Is there any arithmetic with how long the sapling needs to be or how high above the lathe it should be? Thanks.
Hi, I'm not Joshua but yes absolutely. Just use a bungee cord attached to the ceiling for your return spring instead of a pole. Attach your drive cord to the bungee. Have a look at some of my pole lathe videos if you're curious about how that would work.
![Digital Circus Episode 4 [TRAILER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/abZtsmMUbJo/mqdefault.jpg)
Nice to see someone say they have a spring pole lathe where they actually have a spring pole. The critical height for a lathe of any type is that the centers should be at elbow height. A little higher is not to bad but interferes with having the handle low enough to get a proper shearing cut and bowl turning becomes such an issue that you might need a platform to stand on. Lower centers will interfere with your posture and any one with potential lower back problems will soon find working with this sort of device most uncomfortable. It is also recommended that you switch leg functions so you are not always standing on one leg and treadling with the other. Learning to turn left handed- if you are right handed- and vicevesra will make this easier and will pay off when you need to get at a detail without turning the work piece end for end.
Wow! Great video!
I spring-jumped on the video as soon as I saw the post! Joshua, I love your work. Looking at it all away from France.
Thank you, Joseph!
What an awesome lathe!
Always enjoy M&T videos, this one is no exception. I have wanted to build a spring pole lathe for over a year now, I just have to decide where to put it, it does take up a little more floor space than a modern lathe.Thanks for the wonderful video guys!
Nice lathe. Well done!
Ben Orford, Sharif Adams among others have great pole lathe videos.
Nice presentation! I’ve always been interested in these, but never had one.
A thought on the problem of accidentally cutting the rope: obviously, you can’t just tie it because the knot would be in the way, so maybe if you set it up with one end of the rope having a few feet of extra length beyond where it’s tied. That way, if you do cut it in the middle, you can tie it back together and use some of that extra length to move the knot away from the active part.
Thanks for the info. I've wanted to make a foot powered lathe for a while. Looks like a good way to get some cardio in :-). I ordered the 3 issue book and look forward to seeing the article on this lathe. Sourcing large enough lumber might be a little difficult in my area, but I'm sure I'll be able to source some eventually.
I'm thinking of building one of these later on in my woodworking "career". Do you think this could turn softer metals like Aluminium and Brass? It definitely wouldn't be a micrometer-precision machine part, but I could see myself using one of these to make some friction fit drawer pulls, brass plane setting mallets and chisel handle rings. Other fun ideas could be mounting a cutting tool on a long screw and somehow matching speed with the lathe turning to cut some super rough threads that will *definitely* need hand filing+rasping.
You mentioned the longer tools for bowl turning and I have heard others briefly mentioned them in other videos but as far as details, drawings and such are there any reading materials available that you could recommend that would show, demonstrate making those? Or can they be purchased somewhere?
Really enjoying all of your videos, but most of all, your philosophy. Is there any arithmetic with how long the sapling needs to be or how high above the lathe it should be? Thanks.
Which more efficiently spring pole or treadle lathe
Hej ! Very nice video, i build a spring pole lathe rate now i wondering where did you use for the live center ?
Thanks !
A link to preorder the first 3 issues would be awesome!
www.mortiseandtenonmag.com/collections/books/products/the-first-three-issues-book
I woulod like to order a copy of the book. How do I do that?
I am afraid I am yet to buy an issue of the magazine... so I will be buying the book! Will it be stocked at Classichandtools? Great video.
Thank you! I believe they will be stocking it. Glad you enjoyed the video!
How long is the spring pole warranted for?
I have not yet figured out how to stop my lathe from flinging the work piece ;) All things in their time. ;)
Rex sent me.
Do you think something like that could be done in a basement with a 7’8” ceiling?
Hi, I'm not Joshua but yes absolutely. Just use a bungee cord attached to the ceiling for your return spring instead of a pole. Attach your drive cord to the bungee. Have a look at some of my pole lathe videos if you're curious about how that would work.
What is the length and diameter of the pole? What species? Thanks!
Maple. About 12' long and not more than 2.5" at the thickest.
Locust is cheap and pretty darn heavy😆