Hello,
I just found the website and it's great to see a woodturnung forum with active posting. :cool2:
I've been turning for about 15 years now and have great old American Woodworking Machinery Patternmakers lathe. I mostly turn open formed bowls and platters, but I'm currently limited to 16". Up until now that's been fine but I'm itching to try some bigger projects.
I'm in the process of accumulating pieces for a bowl lathe that I would like to make. What I plan on doing is using the headstock off of a 9" South Bend metal lathe (complete with back gears for slower RPM). This will be mounted to a steel base filled with sand, and to that will be mounted my toolrest assembly (or I may opt to use a free standing one at first). I'm thinking of using a variable speed DC motor, but am unsure of the HP I will need. For now, I can't imagine turning anything much larger than 24" (maybe 30") if I get daring.
Is 1HP large enough? Should I be looking at 2HP instead? Also, I'd like to hear any opinions on my choice of headstock. I chose this option because it was already made and ready to go (and because I have it). Maybe it's not strong enough?
Thanks for any tips/advice you may be able to offer.
ScottPerz
I just found the website and it's great to see a woodturnung forum with active posting. :cool2:
I've been turning for about 15 years now and have great old American Woodworking Machinery Patternmakers lathe. I mostly turn open formed bowls and platters, but I'm currently limited to 16". Up until now that's been fine but I'm itching to try some bigger projects.
I'm in the process of accumulating pieces for a bowl lathe that I would like to make. What I plan on doing is using the headstock off of a 9" South Bend metal lathe (complete with back gears for slower RPM). This will be mounted to a steel base filled with sand, and to that will be mounted my toolrest assembly (or I may opt to use a free standing one at first). I'm thinking of using a variable speed DC motor, but am unsure of the HP I will need. For now, I can't imagine turning anything much larger than 24" (maybe 30") if I get daring.
Is 1HP large enough? Should I be looking at 2HP instead? Also, I'd like to hear any opinions on my choice of headstock. I chose this option because it was already made and ready to go (and because I have it). Maybe it's not strong enough?
Thanks for any tips/advice you may be able to offer.
ScottPerz
Last edited: