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I come from that school of try to make it first..
I wanted a lathe for turning bowls that are made from pieces of my scraps. ( segmented bowls I believe )
I figured, what the heck, they made bowls on homemade lathes 100 years ago that ran on foot power so why wouldn't mine work.
It will turn up to a 25 inch bowl and it has a variable speed 2HP motor on it.
Wish me luck!!

I don't know if it's my camera that stinks or my photographic skills? sorry about the blurry pics..

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Well, it could be both your camera and your skills. :cool: But your woodworking skills are premium!

Let's see what this puppy will do. Might have to make me one of these also. I have a treadmill motor and controller that will be right at home running one of these. Variable speed and electronic speed control.

Thanks for the post.
 

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DO IT!!!!
I applaud your goforitness ( if that's a word )?
I will try making anything in my shop with the attitude of the model you would buy wouldn't exist if someone hadn't gone for it and made the first one!!
Life is a gamble.. Make the lathe and use it with a big grin on your face knowing it is a part of you!!
Anybody can buy the tool.. To make it sets you on a whole new path !!
Tom
 

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I would LOVE to see build details, plans more photos. That is REALLY cool.
 

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I don't really have any details for it. I tend to make it up as I go along..
I try a part and if it fits, great, if not I just cut another one.. Very trial and error.
I do a lot of my work on the computer to see how each part fits into another and save a lot of mistakes that way. There are free CAD programs out there if your interested. ( Google it )
The parts all interlock int each other with tennons for strength and I used 3/4" Baltic Birch for the parts because it is super strong and has proven itself in past projects.
I say, just go for it and you'll be fine!!

I would LOVE to see build details, plans more photos. That is REALLY cool.

- BigDawg
 

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If you turn anything over 4" make sure you have a lot of weight in the headstock area and underneath it too or it will shake rattle and roll all over the place.

Very nice job on the making of it. What kind of saddle blocks did you use for the shaft?
 

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Wow. Great job. Hope to see the work
 

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Your exceptional goforitness will yield some beautiful turnings.

Good job!
 

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Wow! THATS BEAUTIFUL! It reminds me of those wooden dinosaur kits for sale in museum gift shops.
 

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Tom,

You really did an exceptional job on this. It does look quite nice. I will second what Arlin said, make sure there is plenty of weight in it. I'd hate for you to get hurt or break your new lathe.

Out of curiosity, how are you controlling the motor speed? It appears that your motor isn't 3 phase, I wasn't aware that you could vary the speed (in a "good" way) electronically of a non 3 phase motor.

I want to be clear that I'm not knocking what you've done here… Indeed, your lathe is quite unique and if it works just fine for ya, the great! Having built my own bowl lathe with a 54" swing, I was super excited when I first cranked er up, but was cautious to only put a small piece on. I would encourage you to start small and get a feel for the machine.

You know you're obligated to post the first piece you make right?

Kind Regards,

Mike
 

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Mike, Thanks for the input!
A 54" bowl would be just about big enough to hold my breakfast cereal !!
I plan on making segmented bowls from the scraps I get processing wood for my wallplate business..
I have cnc machines in the shop and my plan has always been to round out the bowl on a cnc and even remove some of the center before mounting it on the lathe.. I consider it to be light duty and everything should be pretty balanced when it starts turning ( slowly at first ).
I have a mechanical drive that is not in the picture that works somewhat like a snowblower wheel drive. Two friction wheels at 90 degree angles to each other ( one steel, one rubber coated for grip ) so the father out you are on the drive wheel the faster it spins and the closer you are to the center shaft the slower it spins.
Thanks again, Your lathe looks great !!
 

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Thanks for the complement, I'm glad you like my lathe :)

Gotcha, ok. I feel less scared for you now! I knew you said you would be doing segmented turning, but that can still start out a little iffy. I look forward to seeing what you create!
 

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impressive, look forward to see what you make
 

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Interesting design. Looking forward to hear about how it is to work with.
Thanks for sharing
 

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Wow a great idea I hope you get lot's of fun with it too.Why not try another with a direct drive from asuitable motor using metal instead of wood,it might work out good too although all the early wood lathes were made out of wood. Wood you believe it I wood LOL Alistair
 

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That looks amazing, wish I had that large of a swing on my lathe. As others have said, maybe add some weight to that sucker for bigger pieces.
 

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Some of your projects have nice pics and some don't, so my guess is there is a quality setting on the camera unless you are using different cameras. Nice work on the lathe, would love to see an action video.
 

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Cool lathe. I'd like a bigger bowl-turning lathe myself but can't foot the bill for a dedicated one, so this might be just the ticket.

As for your pictures, it looks like you're just trying to take the pics in too low of light, so the camera is bumping up the ISO value (which increases graininess). Also, it's hard for the camera to focus in low light.
 

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Very fine craftsmanship. Will be looking forward to how well it works. I also made a lathe out of metal scraps and it works quite well and enjoy using it. You will too.
 
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