I needed to turn down a piece of wood and needed a lathe. with some odds and ends in the garage i made a home made wood lathe. i used some common items, a 1/2 craftsman dril and other accessories.. Wood turning is fast becoming a popular hobby for woodworkers of all skill levels. you can buy your own wood lathe or build your own. building your own tools is a satisfying endeavor, even more so. Wood turning is the process of carving a block of wood into a symmetrical object, such as a wood spindle or bowl, while using a motor-driven lathe to spin the wood at high speed while cutting tools, including a variety of chisels and knives, gradually carve the piece into the desired shape..
I poured over the internet and checked out every resource i could find to look at designs and construction methods in making a wood lathe. i even researched old pattern makers’ lathes and metal lathes. effectively turning it into an enclosed pillar.. A wood lathe spins the workpiece, while you move cutting tools by hand to create smooth curves and contours. there is a variety of lathes on the market today. most turners will recommend that you buy the biggest lathe you can afford.. Once you get past the anxiety of approaching a rapidly spinning chunk of wood with a pointy metal stick, the most difficult part of turning wood on a lathe is understanding your tools. a basic woodturning kit includes anywhere from 5-8 tools, each with their own unique characteristics..
