I had seen a few Bodgers on you tube and the pole lathe looked to be an early tool that was easy to build and I thought be fun to play with. So I set out on a mission to build on and see what it was like.
Here is a picture of the head and tail stock. They are adjustable. The frame is 2/4
I placed all thread in the stocks so you can fine adjust. They are fixed on both sides of the stock with nuts.
the pedal is a frame with a door hinge to a base for stability.
I bought some cheep tools for a test run. Harbor Freight specials.
The pole part was replaced by bungee cords.
A test piece of pine.
And finally I took a chunk of that cedar limb and made me a mallet.
I do like the lathe. With some proper cutting tools and a lot of green wood this could be fun. Who needs to go to the gym and use the tread mill. I got a pole lathe and the sweat produces tools ;)
Thanks for viewing.
-- Superdav "No matter where you go - there you are." http://chiselandforge.com
50 comments so far
schuft
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123 posts in 3616 days
#1 posted 03-10-2012 03:14 AM
That’s very cool ;)
DocSavage45
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#2 posted 03-10-2012 03:18 AM
Maybe you can get your cat to help? :) No complaining about power costs.
-- Cau Haus Designs, Thomas J. Tieffenbacher
Dave
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11435 posts in 3849 days
#3 posted 03-10-2012 03:27 AM
schuft thank you

Doc I don’t have a problem if he sneaks up on me, while I am running this one.
thanks guys
-- Superdav "No matter where you go - there you are." http://chiselandforge.com
DocSavage45
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9043 posts in 3851 days
#4 posted 03-10-2012 03:35 AM
LOL! Yeah shopcat!
Hey I started sanding a table and today started sharpening my most beat up chisels to practice on.
-- Cau Haus Designs, Thomas J. Tieffenbacher
William
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9950 posts in 3851 days
#5 posted 03-10-2012 03:35 AM
That is so cool. I love it. I only wish my funds would get straightened out so I can make a trip down and see you work it in person.
Before you ask, no, I only want to watch YOU work it.
Do you like your Harbour Freight lathe tools? If so, I got a crap load I have around for only when I want to make some oddball tools, usually when I’m trying something crazy and am about to really mess up something good.
If you’re interested, I’d be more than happy to part with some of them.
I also have a spur center off an older lathe I no longer have if you’re interested in them. They don’t fit my current lathe. They’re from a harbor freight lathe that bit the dust early on. They are an oddball thread size. You may be able to put them to good use though on this. I’m thinking if you can center it on one of the althread pieces and wrap your cord around the hex shape of the part, it would free up more room on your work piece. I don’t know if I’m making sense on this one. Next time we meet in person, I’ll show it to you and try to explain it better.
That is nice though. I hope you change legs often so one doesn’t get bigger than the other. If not, your legs will soon look like mine. My left leg (you can’t tell because of the brace) is about half the size as my right.
-- http://wddsrfinewoodworks.blogspot.com/
DIYaholic
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19921 posts in 3684 days
#6 posted 03-10-2012 03:38 AM
What we really need here is some video of you at your pole lathe. That WOOD be cool.
Super ain’t got no MONKEY on his back! He’s just addicted to sawdust!
-- Randy-- I may not be good...but I am slow! If good things come to those who wait.... Why is procrastination a bad thing?
JL7
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8785 posts in 3974 days
#7 posted 03-10-2012 03:56 AM
That is very cool dave – can you get safety cat to push the treadle? Agree with Randy – where’s the video?
-- Jeff .... Minnesota, USA
Hoakie
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307 posts in 5045 days
#8 posted 03-10-2012 03:57 AM
Dave you are one crazy dude (meant in the nicest of ways of course). That is pretty cool and cost effective, well done!
-- John H. [To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk. ~Edison]
Dave
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11435 posts in 3849 days
#9 posted 03-10-2012 03:57 AM
All right Doc, let’s see those chisels in action.
Thanks William we will look at that when we meet.
I have that in the works Randy.
Thanks guys!
-- Superdav "No matter where you go - there you are." http://chiselandforge.com
ShaneA
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7085 posts in 3607 days
#10 posted 03-10-2012 04:10 AM
Nice job Dave.
Roger
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21051 posts in 3813 days
#11 posted 03-10-2012 04:10 AM
you are quite the lathe magician…. turnin with a puddee-tat on yer back… and yes, I’ll bet ya git a good work out in
-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Keep your dust collector fed. [email protected]
Dave
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11435 posts in 3849 days
#12 posted 03-10-2012 04:14 AM
Thanks for commenting Shane
Roger your a nut with a beard.
-- Superdav "No matter where you go - there you are." http://chiselandforge.com
lysdexic
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5348 posts in 3632 days
#13 posted 03-10-2012 04:19 AM
Resourceful – is all I have to say
-- "It's only wood. Use it." - Smitty || Instagram - nobodhi_here
Dave
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11435 posts in 3849 days
#14 posted 03-10-2012 04:24 AM
Thanks Scott, just wait till I attempt to make a bowl.
-- Superdav "No matter where you go - there you are." http://chiselandforge.com
Roger
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21051 posts in 3813 days
#15 posted 03-10-2012 04:30 AM
ahh yess, but, tis only one weee little hair, wit many, many split ends that have their own split ends.. lol I git a bit giddy round St. Pats
-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Keep your dust collector fed. [email protected]
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