Pole/Treadle Lathe

 

Nothing overly complicated just a simple way to create a modern take on the medieval pole lathe.
This instructable dosent involve a lot of wood work capabilities and it can be achieved in under an hour.
 The pole lathe was a medieval invention in order to make things perfectly cylindrical. Instead of using an electric motor they used a length of spruce from a nearby forest. We will not be using spruce instead we will be using bungee cord. This will achieve the same effect but won’t take up as much space.

Step 1 Materials and Tools

Materials needed;
Length of 40mm by 40mm pine (at least a metre long)
6 meters of 6mm nylon rope
2 G clamps
Length of hard wood (does not matter what size as long as it is longer than the wood you are going to turn and it can fit in the g clamp with pine)
Metal spacers
Bungee cord
Window screws with no thread at the end
Gate hinge (optional but makes life easier)
Hooks
Tent pegs
Piece of old wood I used a floor board
Wood screws
Work mate bench

Tools needed;
Screw Driver
Drill
Drill bit
Tenon Saw
clamps
rubber mallet
claw hammer
spirit level

Comments

[SIRJAMES09]

Q:
to keep the bungee cord from coming off the hooks, can you not use eyes instead on the roof or even somewhere inside the barn?

[hardj009]

Yes that would also work it would probably be safer as the bungee cord could not fly out of the hooks as easily but I only had hooks at the time. I have thought about putting it inside but decided that the angle could prove difficult as we have uneven ground in front. thankyou for veiwing aswell

[SIRJAMES09]

well regardless, I still love this instructable. :)

You have given me ideas for having my first lathe. *does a happy dance* :)

TY Sir for sharing.

[flamesami]

brilliant, just brilliant! I've been looking for a simpler way to do this, just to see if I can be a**ed to make a proper one with the whole timber frame, etc.

[DingDongDaddyFromDumas]

You had me right up to the video! I've been wanting something just like this, so thanks for the instructions. Video aside, how has this been working for you?

[rimar2000]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing.