Homemade Lathes (videos)

Homemade lathes, of both the wood and metal turning varieties, are a popular component of shops spanning a wide range of disciplines. These videos show lathes of each type and should provide a nudge in the right direction for those inclined to try their hand at building one.

Homebuilt Router Copier Lathe by ThisWoodwork
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV5TgkaRLrk

Homemade Lathe Pt. 1 by Michael Laffin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DMOWhagLIE

Homemade Lathe DIY by farias615
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amkt6VxBzlg

Home Made Lathe N.T by TasosNt44
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwmpFI1kDww

Ken,
Thank you for you research on finding more videos about making homemade lathes. I wish I could locate some of my old B&W photos of a small metal lathe I built in the mid 60's when I was a teenager. It was an odd looking lathe that looked like a crude Unimat but about twice the size using two 3/4" dia. steel rods for ways and 5" swing. I would say that the most important thing I learned from the lathe project was the lathe could build improved parts of itself and become more accurate and tighter through each iteration. Also grinding the correct angles and profiles on lathe cutting tools became very important when using low horsepower electric motors to prevent stalling the motors during cuts. Thanks, Paul

Hi Paul,

I hope you're successful in turning up those pics; I'd love to see them and I'm sure many others would, too.

You make an excellent point about low-power motors forcing one to refine technique. The same applies in other areas, too. It's a lot more difficult, for example, to fly a clean slow roll in a Decathlon than an Extra! :cool: Power can disguise many ills, but it's not the best way to learn a new skill.

Ken