Bob Easton

Some time ago, I asked all the purchasers of my Treadle Lathe ebook if they would like to show us the lathes they have built. A few responded with pictures and information. This is the second in a series of those responses. (1st one here.)

Dave Webster appears to live somewhere in British Columbia, another Canadian.

Dave mentioned that he acquired Stephen Shepard’s plans, and watched Mr. Chickadee’s lathe build on YouTube, and merged those ideas with my ramblings. I noticed a couple of interesting things about Dave’s lathe. He solved the problem of the wandering driveshaft pulley by trapping it between a couple of collars; much easier than pining it to the shaft. Dave has also added a sort of belt tensioner. I’m guessing that it is temporary and will be replaced with something of lower friction.

Dave sent along a couple of pictures for your enjoyment. …and his is yet another shop cleaner than mine!

The last time we exchanged mail, Dave mentioned he was turning large dowels that were to be threaded. Here’s hoping they turned out well and many more good things will come from his lathe.

Dave and all the rest of you, are very welcome to add additional information or discussion with the Comments form below.

Some time ago, I asked all the purchasers of my Treadle Lathe ebook if they would like to show us the lathes they have built. A few responded with pictures and information. This is the first in a series of those responses.

Ty Bailey lives in Ontario Canada. Since I don’t have to physically deliver ebooks, I don’t ask for precise addresses, but my purchasing software does collect IP (Internet Protocol) addresses. Unlike on the TV crime shows IP addresses rarely map to precise street addresses. The IP address for Ty places him somewhere near Kinmount Ontario, just north of that big lake.

While Ty was building his lathe, we had a few email exchanges about the sizes of certain parts. (You’ll recall that I did not publish complete measured plans.) Maybe the most important of those measures is the height of the turning center line. I’ve found that having that line about elbow height works out “just right.”

Ty built a lathe that looks very much like mine, not that it matters much. What really matters is that it works and is useful.

Ty did mention that he had a steel crank made to order that is similar to the one a metal working acquaintance made for me. He also uses an all metal Pittman link, very nicely made. Ty says his flywheel weighs 45 pounds, and the machine operates very smoothly.

Ty sent along a couple of pictures for your enjoyment, and it looks like he keeps his workshop a lot cleaner than mine.

( click an image for a larger view )

Here’s hoping Ty makes many wonderful things with his new lathe.

UPDATE: Ty just sent two more pics and the comment that “the kids at the woodworking club” (perhaps associated with the Trinity College School in Port Hope, ON?) are making good use of the lathe. One result was a set of turned legs, and other parts, for a shave horse they built recently. I am particularly encouraged by this, first by seeing the lathe being used, but more interesting in learning the existence of a woodworking club. They are few and far between, and it’s good to know that one is helping people learn woodworking. More pics:

Ty, and all the rest of you, are very welcome to add additional information or discussion with the Comments form below.