+Rab Beverly Absolutely, this one was built with hand tools. You can build them from a log as well which is how you would do it if you are in the woods or if you have a log and no lumber. It is really easy to build so go for it. I need to update this as I have changed my setup some. I now use an actual springy stick.

+Glenn Ingram, ND Nice! I'll definitely look forward to the updates.

People did exactly that for centuries ;)

It is super easy to build and use!

I ended up putting a dowel back there on centers just like the lathe itself which works great as the string can be anywhere on the lathe and roll. Also, I have since moved my lathe outside and have a longer treadle which also takes away the rubbing and allows a longer stroke.

+Thomas Loo I imagine that would help, but you are still going to go through cords if it is rubbing. I installed a wooden dowel that rolls as the string goes by. That worked great as it took out all the friction. I have since moved my lathe outside where I have plenty of room so the cord doesn't rub anymore.

I agree but there was no room in the shop for that. I have since moved it outside with a longer treadle and it works much better.

Andy Collier I have since switched to the bar type for two reasons: the bar is longer and super easy to adjust. There is less time moving the tool rest. I do think the more conventional rest in this video is a little better for spindle turning depending on what you are doing.

I haven't tried a modern bowl gouge using the traditional hook tools instead. I think a modern gouge would be difficult to use because of the mandrel (drive shaft) in the way).

Yes, in that setup, there was no way to correct that. I ended up installing a bar behind the ways that rolled which eliminated the friction issue. I ended up moving this outside and used a longer treadle which fixed it completely along with giving me more power and more rotations per push which was great.

Glenn: never mind; I know the answer and it's "yes"; thanks for the tutorial

+Thomas Loo No, the lag screws do not move. I grind the threads off of the ends of the lag screws, polish is smooth, and put a dab of oil on the screws to reduce friction. Then the wood spins freely on the screws.

I am still using this lathe though I am in the process of building another one right now. I'm improving a few things: the most important is I'm making it longer so I can turn longer spindles. I moved the lathe into a shed since this video so I have more room. I also want feet with more splay so it is more stable. I'm also making this one with more room under the center so I can turn a wider bowl if I want. I can put up a video of the new one when it is done. I have not turned that many bowls, a few dozen.

thank you for the reply. have you looked into live centers? I'm about a week away from building one and I'm stuck between live and dead centers

You may get a little less friction, but you are not going to be reaching turning speeds like those of an electric lathe. My understanding of live centers is that they are mainly helpful for high speeds. I have not tried it so can't tell you for sure though. I will say that there is so little friction on the lubricated dead centers on my lathe and they are so easy to install, that I can't imagine there will be a significant advantage to a live center. I'd recommend spending your time/energy/money figuring out the optimal spring, treadle, and tool rest setup as those are much more important, in my opinion.

Glenn Ingram, ND Wow, I think that is the exact response I needed to hear. Thank you very much

+Stokie Joe Bushcraft Because the treadle goes way behind the lathe and would also rub on the rope.

+Glenn Ingram, ND sorry just trying to help. Nice lathe by the way.

I don't think putting the rubber band under the lathe will work. You need to have the rubber band pulling the treadle back up and simultaneously reversing the spin of the work. I don't see how you can do both of those with the band going down. There is a more complex model that may satisfy you needs that Roy Underhill teaches at his school. It is apparently a French (though someone else said German) design. Here is a link to a picture www.handtoolschool.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/PoleLathe_adj.jpg. I'm not following your second paragraph. You'll have to explain that a bit more.

Glenn Ingram, ND YA, I thought the second part would be hard. I will draw it. imagebin.org/319552 It does not matter where the rubber band pull comes from because it is turned into rotational force. Just try pulling on the rope with your arm from under instead of up (just a test without rebuilding it. Might need a friend there to do it with you.). It will turn.

Douglas E Knapp I was thinking last night about those sewing machines that you run with your foot. I bet you could take one and use the foot part with a flywheel to run a lathe!

Douglas E Knapp I see what you mean. That could work but you would have to configure the treadle so the 2 don't interfere with each other. Flywheel lathes have been done and are awesome, but they are much more difficult to make because you need to install bearings and such to tight tolerances. I gave it a shot once and it didn't work at all. I probably needed better bearings and something was probably a bit crooked. You really can't mess up with the spring pole lathe and the price is right. On your design for faceplate turning, you can certainly do that. In fact, I tried that very thing but you get into bearings and tight engineering tolerances again. My home-made version would not handle the torque required to turn a bowl. I use it to power a sanding disc.

Glenn Ingram, ND I make bows and I can see how it me what you made looks so easy but the reality is that it takes skill and a lot of failing to get it right, not even talking good. Bows are like that too. You can just forget your first two because you WILL break them. Part of the learning curve. Thanks for sharing your failures. It opened my eyes to the possibility of the failures. I had not even suspected yet that you could fail at making these things.

It was summer.

Glenn Ingram, ND Even so, it doesn't seem that the workshop is the place to be barefoot.... Cool video none the less.