I am stunned that you only have 17k subscribers. As I have posted before this is probably one of if not the best channels on the internet. The projects are made incredibly simple with a direct and concise explanation of how to complete the projects. I really enjoy your work.
You're very kind. I don't have more subs because there are a LOT of good channels out there. My channel is growing. It's cool. If you'd like to see me grow, then share this video on social. Any platform. And let me know if you have questions or suggestions about the build.
I watch a lot of DIY and woodworking videos online, and I gotta say, your channel is quietly one of the best on the platform for tutorials and projects. Your blend of quality information, subdued deadpan humor, clear delivery, and detail without sacrificing clarity really sets you apart from 90% of DIY channels.
If I meet a situation where I haven’t a suitable spade bit, I get a cheapie the next size up and grind down the sides till have the diameter I need. Works a treat and always have that bit for other projects.
I think there are going to be a lot of happy people making things because you made it affordable by showing them how to build their own tools for little money. Keep up the good work
SOB! When I read the title my heart started pounding . I'm just getting my playlist set before I go to work but I will absolutely be back! Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you!
The metal lathe guy is building a Dave Gingery lathe. He sold books on how to build a complete metal working shop in your back yard with a charcoal foundry. His son Vince still sells the series of books I believe under Dave Gingery Publishing.
Okay, I have to comment on this one. I have watched a lot of your videos and have nothing but praise for all of them. You always give good details, explain why you are doing what your are doing and why, and give really good historical background when appropriate. So I have good things to say about your videos-except for this one. I am a retired tool and die maker/machinist/welder and was born the son of a cabinet maker who ran his own business for over forty years. I was practically disowned for learning tool and die and welding, but I wanted to learn something else besides woodworking. Just because you can make a headstock out of wood and bearing does not mean you should. There is a huge reason why factories make their headstocks out of cast iron and cheapness of materials has nothing to do with it. When you have a headstock made out of wood and you turn dimensional lumber that is close to size, that wooden headstock will work-for a while. However, when you start turning portions of trees to make bowls, you are going to have a problem. Bowl blanks cut from trees are notoriously unbalanced. That is where cast iron shines. Nothing takes shock loads like heavy castings. Heavy vibrations are going to work your bearings loose and the bolts are vibrated against the wood headstock. I have built lathes out of steel and they work perfectly because I live by the motto "overbuilt is underrated". This is especially true for wood lathes. Sir, you make great videos and they are clear, concise and give great advice. However, this video is not a good idea for heavy turning. I look forward to many solid future videos.
I made a lathe when I was in high school. I picked up a 1/4 HP induction motor for about $10 from a surplus store. On a broke teenager budget, that was all I bought. Everything else I did was from stuff laying around the house. I used chisels and files we had (definitely not high speed steel). I was able to adapt the motor to fit the 22m bearing fittings for skateboard wheels pretty easy. And with that, I was able to turn old worn out wheels into new ones, with any profile I liked. Sure they were a few mm smaller, but otherwise good as new. With a set of wheels costing $30-40, it saved me a lot of money. And later as an adult, I used Rex's technique to make a panel saw. I used two pipes and blocks just like what Rex did to make a sled, which I attached a circular saw to. It worked well, and I made a set of kitchen cabinets with it. And just like a hand plane is just a chisel with a jig, all a panel saw is is a circular saw with a jig.
I'm a new subscriber I have enjoyed watching your channel for several years now. FYI , youRex, and any of your viewers that will have to buy a electric motor anyway to build this lathe. A 3/4 hp.sewing machine motor with adjustable RPM from 0 to like 10,000 RPM s with a readout and with adjustment of RPMS by the just turning a knob. Is available on Amazon. Don't remember for sure but think some are 110 volts and others are 220 volts and some may be 110/220 volts depends on how they are wired. The cheaper motors for around $110 dollars/ with maybe even free shipping. Of course some are much more costly.
BTW just so you and your viewers know these sewing machine motors are for commercial bighead sewing machine that is why 3/4 hp. There are other sewing motors that run constantly and engaged by afoot/knee clutch for other projects that might need maybe a stop n go.
For bed rails drill your 34mm holes, cut the endstocks in half through the centre of the holes on table saw, the saw kerf reduces the effective diameter of the holes and when the 2 halves are bolted together it secures the pipes by friction. Easy peasy assembly.
Rex, why no treadle lathe? You can make one with cull wood, two big nails and a piece of rope, and going slow with fine control using your foot allows you to do things that you cannot with an electric one. I have to say, I am a little confused.
So, that’s how you show admiration? “If that lunatic can make a metal lathe...” 😂😂😂😂😂😂 too funny!!! Thanks for the marvelous inspirational projects you share with us!!!
Brilliant!! Rex you've turned into some kind of mad professor!! maybe too much time alone in your basement, haha, love your channel thanks for posting, stay safe
Excellent video & it's great to see you actually show mistakes & how you went about correcting them & improving things. I took your advice & began making a router thicknessing jig instead of shelling out on a thicknesser. It's slow going but getting there & I've decided to add dog holes to the base & build up some toggle clamps for workholding. That should let me avoid putting sticky stuff directly onto the bed and, with a few other little jigs, might also allow for using it as a basic jointer. I almost enjoy making jigs & tools as much as making things with them.
When Rex asked if his enthusiasm was weird, my heart melted. I want to give you a hug and tell you loving your hobbies is not weird. My bf and I love your videos!
Man I just love this! I'm building a metal cutting lathe right now; had to build the charcoal foundry first... and a small wood working shop to make patterns.. lol. I see that "Central Machinery" harbor freight lathe!
I’m so glad you made this series and have every intention of building this lathe. Only problem is I don’t have a motor to use and would love if you could reply with all of the relevant specs of this motor so viewers like myself could pick one up. If you could recommend a specific model on amazon perhaps that would be amazing. Thank you very much for this video series and your coming response. You are awesome!!!
Thanks Rex. I really enjoy your steady and witty teaching style. I hadn't previously bothered looking at any of your plans or documentation. But, the other day I had some time available and got excited after I watched the video on making a marking gauge. I got really excited (because I already have a half decent gauge I bought years ago) and decided I 'needed' to buy your plans for it. I got the collection for I think $8. A bit of an ouch as Paypal turned it out of good old Aussie pesos and found that was almost $12. But many many positive feelings of good will as I looked over the intricate designs and lots of notes. Heartfelt thanks, especially for others who are less lucky than I. A suggestion if you ever find yourself with time to troll the net for other bits required for your designs.... can you see if there's anything equivalent in Ozland? I've found it hard to get those bits here. Easy in the States. Not so easy here.
Maybe split blocks w grooves for the pipe and bolted together w 3/4 bolts w washers. Just a thought. Maybe even use HD U bolts. I appreciate your can-do approach.
Ow boy, making senses are tingling. I don't need a lathe, but a disk sander is pretty much the same and that could come in handy for me at this point. Great content, thanks for the inspiration!
I got "adjustable spade bits" from a craigslist ad, guy gave them to me for free along with the item i was buying.i was like why would you ever need these? I guess this type of application shows a use for them! And yes Amazon sells them too
I found this video very enjoyable even though I have no desire for a lathe. I have turned two items in my life and that was in high school shop class 50 years ago. It was required to finish the course and receive credit for the course.
That is So awesome Rex. I was wondering the same things about a Lathe and i always wanted to get into Lathe working. I just never had the money to get one, because of the price. Thanks for showing how you can build your own Lathe from parts in a junkyard or scrap wood is So exciting. I can't wait for Part 2 and see how it comes out.
Awesome start Rex! I will definitely be following this build. I'll be setting up my shop after the new year and a lathe will be a part of it, looks like it will be a "home built" rather than an expensive purchase after all! Keep up the awesome content!
Another idea for the pipe fit-up. drill the 1.25 holes add perpendicular .5 holes rip saw the block through the middle of the bed holes. use half inch carriage bolts and reef the assembly together.
Old appliances are a good source to scavenge motors for projects like this. Washing machines, dryers (0.25-0.75 hp typical) and treadmills (2.5-3 hp common) are usually plentiful for free or cheap on sites like Craigslist, OfferUp, and Freecycle. A belt grinder or a band saw might be fun to tackle next. :)
I’ll use a similar method once I start looking at doing MUCH larger pieces that a production lathe won’t accommodate like the Laguana I’m looking at getting. Like 40 inch dia. platters/bowls or offset rotation ovals. A harbor freight engine or a wrecked motorcycle/scooter engine would work well as well for the drive probably, plus you’d get shifting capacity with a moto engine.
Not sure, but I’ve heard that discarding ANY sized piece of Teak is illegal in most States. What’s more, I feel it should carry the max sentence... but death is too kind. Kidding aside, love your great videos. Very thorough, to the point and without assuming your viewerships skill level, your clear instructions, I find thoughts your commentary spot on.
Thx, always knew there was a (relatively) simpler way to make a DIY lathe...not easy BUT more accessible than the "Gingery" method ( making DIY foundry )...
This is really cool! I have wondered youtube for a convincing diy lathe for quite some time, this build seems what I am looking for: safe, and sturdy good job rex!
To drill holes for which you do not have the correct width Spade bit-simple, just grind the sides of the Spade bit until you reach the correct size. I have done this twice now and it works well Just buy a load of cheapo Spade bits for this and finish off with a fine file.
Oh, a note for those building this lathe (or anything else with 1" ID black iron pipe ways for that matter): the OD of the pipe is 1.315" . A 1-5/16" (1.3125") Forstner bit will give you that very snug fit without the possible eccentricity induced by wobbling a smaller bit. They're pretty widely available (amazon, online tool vendors, etc).
An easy way to get started turning is with a pole lathe. Used for thousands of years. Windsor chairs are traditionally made with one using green wood. I've seen bowls made on pole lathes too.
Also, look up concrete lathes. For WWII, the US needed to make metal working lathes with precision. Concrete also provides weight for vibration damping.
Check your local Craigslist for a used treadmill. yank the motor (DC servo type) and control board and with the help of TH-cam, you can make a variable speed setup without having to make or buy extra pulleys! Definitely subbing for the rest of the build!
I love the DC motor idea and that's on the list for future upgrades, but for now, I'm sticking with this AC motor so people can more easily follow along. Thanks for watching.
OHHHHH! Now I want to build a new lathe for me! And I want it to be the 24" version you started with. Vibration will be biggest issue, but that is why God invented sandbags and bags of cement.
Yeah, I would go slowly and carefully if you want 24" of swing. The design I have here is not up to the challenge. Everything will need to be stronger. Good luck and stay safe!
"I found this teak" "I found this tent pole" "I found this bandsaw motor" I feel like Rex spends 40% of this time making videos and 60% of this time at the dump.
Actually, apart from the teak... I've got a bunch of tent poles (we ham radio types are always scrounging material for antennas :D ) and well, since I just up-motored my bandsaw I've got an extra motor :D
Ow. Check your bench and re-plane it to flat, then use some winding sticks on your ways and plane the support blocks to match your bench, then add some care on lining up the spindle with the ways. David Gingery's book makes the tailstock early to help align the spindle to the ways. Maybe you could do at least the front part of the tailstock, and then use it to plane the tops of your headstock pyramids level with the tailstock and also position the spindle bearings. Maybe make a fake tailstock pyramid 'T' then put it on the ways as T_____Ha_Hb and _______Ha_T_Hb until you get the bearings level and located. As described, it looks like you can't check if your bearings and spindle are all parallel to the ways.
There used to be a UK kit of parts that could be made into a lathe using concrete as much of the structure. My Dad and I built a lathe using commercially available shafting and bearings for the headstock and scaffolding tubes for the bed, it was OK, it worked. The real failing was the headstock, without a standard thread we couldn't attach any commercially available chucks or fittings. And it was too thin and prone to allowing vibration and chatter. Build it big.
Yeah, I'm very fascinated by that concrete lathe idea. I've read a lot about it. I do want someone on TH-cam to build one. Maybe it should be me. Maybe not.
@@RexKruegerI like to think of it as the laugh Frankenstein gave when he gave life to his creation. 😎 Regardless it was a laugh of successes, triumph and not of an evil geines about to take over the world with his lathe... Right?
Hey Rex, this looks really great but you might want to replace the rods you tapped into the tailstock end support with some countersunk bolts. I suspect between vibrations and wood movement the rods might work their way out with time.
Thanks for this! I'm a bit circumspect about the brass garden screw on the headstock spindle though. I've been looking at screw adaptors so standard chucks and plates can be used, but it seems that the only ones available for a plain shaft are for the 5/8 inch shopsmith spindle, which seems to me a bit small for turning bowls. A decent shaft with a 33mm spindle thread (record, axminster, jet) would be ideal, but arghh...just doesn't exist.
@ 9:20, that's not a tent steak, it's a K rail pin. Circuses may use them as "tent steaks", but only because they,,,UM,,,get them for free,,,if you know what I mean. K rails are those temporary cement barriers used on freeways at construction zones that have steel loops cast into the ends, and those pins run through those loops connecting them.
Great idea, just in time. I was planning to build something similar just this days. Your build process and your explanation will definitely be the major inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
I've been putting together a lathe slowly over the past year. Most of it is in the designing part and occasional snagging of parts when I see them cheap, since it's not a big priority over other things. Instead of pipe or a twin beam design I'm going to be using aluminum miter track attached to a solid bed, with the tail stock attached to a stop that can lock down. If that doesn't end up being strong enough I might try either doubling it or having to come up with something else. Oh, and I'm going pedal-powered. Not treadle. Like the old pedalled barnes lathes from the late 1800s. It seemed like it would allow for more control than a treadle while also not running up my electric bill or annoying my neighbors... and has a built in "lathestop" haha.
Please Please Please Make it super cheap and easy to make I've been searching for diy lathe for months now and yours i think got the right stuff so far just dont over do it for guys like me thats just beginer. Great job
I'll do it. I'll make it as cheap as possible. I can't promise it will be easy. This is a big tool that needs variable speed and many parts that move and adjust with precision. Still, I believe that even a beginner can do this. Do me a favor, share this video on your favorite social platform. That will really spread the word and help me get this done. Thanks!
I don't know. I'm not that great at promoting my own videos. Hard to find the time. If you like, you can share this video on any social platform you like. It's a huge help.
I think you shoud do more builds cause thats what people wanna see.. Specially you have a diff.approach on things it will be a blast to see you make stuff Good luck to you...
Great video man, thank you! I have that exact same HF lathe (which I love) but before I picked it up I was really debating trying to build one. Had I seen this first I might have tried it - thank you so much for putting this content out there !
Ok. Rex, you loaded yourself for this... How 'teak' is it? About das teak! I love Teak as well because it's very stable, and not a horse stable. Dense, strong, resistive wood and termite lose their teeth on it as well.
I was wanting a lathe for about 20 years, and then this summer I just decided to build one, but I made a pole lathe out of wood that I already had, and I made the tools out of an old file. My budget was basically nothing, and the only things I actually had to buy were a couple of bolts that I made the centres out of. BTW, another guy who made his own lathe, and whose channel you might enjoy if you haven't seen it before is Jeremy Fielding. He's a really interesting guy.
When drilling the holes to take the bed tubes exactly the right diameter of hole can be acheived with an expansive bit either in a brace or with a hex ended version in a drill. It is always best to make a test cut on a piece of scrap when adjusting an expansive bit as any adjustment one makes to the radius that it cuts of course creates double the difference on the diameter and one does not always acheive perfection first time. The forstner bit did not work on the first set up because as with all types of large diameter wood bits be they flat, forstner or auger, the centre* of the bit must contact the work first to keep it running true. *Limey
Could you drill the rod holes, split the wood in half and then bed the rods like a rifle barrel, then reattach the top half of the blocks, eliminating fit issues?
Necessity is the mother if invention. When I started turning, I figured the lathe was maybe 1/2 the cost of what you would spend for 'accessories'. Now, I think the lathe is about 1/4 the cost....
Have a treadmill motor, speed control, bed rails (2 sets), and 2 one inch black pipe 10 inch sections. I am going to use the bed rails for my ways. Can I ask why the head stock did not use one of those. I found a face plate at a thift store and it screws on to the black pipe. I am thinking I can have a Morse taper at both ends. Can you think of any reason that would not work?
If you get wheels and not pullies, you could replace that rubber belt with a bandsaw blade. That way you would have an all-in-one tool/death-trap for beginning turners.
Haha...It was a lame joke that wasn't intended to be anything more than an expression of where my mind was running with the project. When people like you get ideas like these, they turn out. When I get ideas like these, I over-complicate them, make them more than they need to be, and end up creating something that isn't really useful for anything. Worse than that, I overwhelm myself with possibilities and end up not starting the project at all. This was not ment to say your tool is a death-trap. I was saying that mine would be. I love your work, and I'm very, very interested in seeing how this works. I would love to try something like this.
Oh! I TOTALLY misinterpreted what you were trying to say. Thanks for taking the time to articulate your thoughts! I appreciate the compliments, as well. I have the exact same problem with over-complicating things. You know what really helps? Video publishing deadlines.
Rex, if you see this please type in the TH-cam channel regarding the metal forge and lathe. It's Maker ? and I tried a lot of combos but have not found the site yet.
Rex, you don't build things that are"cheap". You build things of decent or good quality that are inexpensive. You are an inspiration!
That's very kind of you. Thanks!
0900009800⁰
HE !! FOUND !!! EVERYTHING !! IN !! OSCARS !! TRASH !!.CAN !!
I am stunned that you only have 17k subscribers. As I have posted before this is probably one of if not the best channels on the internet. The projects are made incredibly simple with a direct and concise explanation of how to complete the projects. I really enjoy your work.
You're very kind. I don't have more subs because there are a LOT of good channels out there. My channel is growing. It's cool. If you'd like to see me grow, then share this video on social. Any platform. And let me know if you have questions or suggestions about the build.
AGREED. And you've got a great charisma for video work like this. Can't wait for Part II!
from 17K to nearly 70K in 1yr
I came to say that too, 69k!
A little over a year and just shy of 100k subs. Quick growth for good quality vids. Thank you sir
I watch a lot of DIY and woodworking videos online, and I gotta say, your channel is quietly one of the best on the platform for tutorials and projects. Your blend of quality information, subdued deadpan humor, clear delivery, and detail without sacrificing clarity really sets you apart from 90% of DIY channels.
I'll tell my wife somone used the word "quiet to" describe me.
@@RexKrueger Haha. Maybe have a screenshot of the comment with you so she'll believe it.
If I meet a situation where I haven’t a suitable spade bit, I get a cheapie the next size up and grind down the sides till have the diameter I need. Works a treat and always have that bit for other projects.
I think there are going to be a lot of happy people making things because you made it affordable by showing them how to build their own tools for little money. Keep up the good work
SOB! When I read the title my heart started pounding . I'm just getting my playlist set before I go to work but I will absolutely be back!
Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you!
You're so welcome. And seriously, just watch it at work. Phone + headphones + bathroom = no problem. We've all done it.
I don't want or need a lathe. But I'm watching anyway with my early morning coffee while the house is quiet. Very relaxing start to the day.
The metal lathe guy is building a Dave Gingery lathe. He sold books on how to build a complete metal working shop in your back yard with a charcoal foundry. His son Vince still sells the series of books I believe under Dave Gingery Publishing.
Okay, I have to comment on this one. I have watched a lot of your videos and have nothing but praise for all of them. You always give good details, explain why you are doing what your are doing and why, and give really good historical background when appropriate. So I have good things to say about your videos-except for this one.
I am a retired tool and die maker/machinist/welder and was born the son of a cabinet maker who ran his own business for over forty years. I was practically disowned for learning tool and die and welding, but I wanted to learn something else besides woodworking.
Just because you can make a headstock out of wood and bearing does not mean you should. There is a huge reason why factories make their headstocks out of cast iron and cheapness of materials has nothing to do with it.
When you have a headstock made out of wood and you turn dimensional lumber that is close to size, that wooden headstock will work-for a while.
However, when you start turning portions of trees to make bowls, you are going to have a problem. Bowl blanks cut from trees are notoriously unbalanced. That is where cast iron shines. Nothing takes shock loads like heavy castings.
Heavy vibrations are going to work your bearings loose and the bolts are vibrated against the wood headstock.
I have built lathes out of steel and they work perfectly because I live by the motto "overbuilt is underrated". This is especially true for wood lathes.
Sir, you make great videos and they are clear, concise and give great advice. However, this video is not a good idea for heavy turning. I look forward to many solid future videos.
I made a lathe when I was in high school. I picked up a 1/4 HP induction motor for about $10 from a surplus store. On a broke teenager budget, that was all I bought. Everything else I did was from stuff laying around the house. I used chisels and files we had (definitely not high speed steel). I was able to adapt the motor to fit the 22m bearing fittings for skateboard wheels pretty easy. And with that, I was able to turn old worn out wheels into new ones, with any profile I liked. Sure they were a few mm smaller, but otherwise good as new. With a set of wheels costing $30-40, it saved me a lot of money.
And later as an adult, I used Rex's technique to make a panel saw. I used two pipes and blocks just like what Rex did to make a sled, which I attached a circular saw to. It worked well, and I made a set of kitchen cabinets with it. And just like a hand plane is just a chisel with a jig, all a panel saw is is a circular saw with a jig.
I'm a new subscriber I have enjoyed watching your channel for several years now. FYI , youRex, and any of your viewers that will have to buy a electric motor anyway to build this lathe. A 3/4 hp.sewing machine motor with adjustable RPM from 0 to like 10,000 RPM s with a readout and with adjustment of RPMS by the just turning a knob. Is available on Amazon. Don't remember for sure but think some are 110 volts and others are 220 volts and some may be 110/220 volts depends on how they are wired. The cheaper motors for around $110 dollars/ with maybe even free shipping. Of course some are much more costly.
Good point.
BTW just so you and your viewers know these sewing machine motors are for commercial bighead sewing machine that is why 3/4 hp. There are other sewing motors that run constantly and engaged by afoot/knee clutch for other projects that might need maybe a stop n go.
For bed rails drill your 34mm holes, cut the endstocks in half through the centre of the holes on table saw, the saw kerf reduces the effective diameter of the holes and when the 2 halves are bolted together it secures the pipes by friction. Easy peasy assembly.
Rex, why no treadle lathe? You can make one with cull wood, two big nails and a piece of rope, and going slow with fine control using your foot allows you to do things that you cannot with an electric one. I have to say, I am a little confused.
Exactly my question. Why no treadle lathe
So, that’s how you show admiration?
“If that lunatic can make a metal lathe...”
😂😂😂😂😂😂 too funny!!!
Thanks for the marvelous inspirational projects you share with us!!!
Brilliant!! Rex you've turned into some kind of mad professor!! maybe too much time alone in your basement, haha, love your channel thanks for posting, stay safe
This would be a great maker challenge. Design and build your own lathe using box store supplies.
Excellent video & it's great to see you actually show mistakes & how you went about correcting them & improving things.
I took your advice & began making a router thicknessing jig instead of shelling out on a thicknesser. It's slow going but getting there & I've decided to add dog holes to the base & build up some toggle clamps for workholding. That should let me avoid putting sticky stuff directly onto the bed and, with a few other little jigs, might also allow for using it as a basic jointer. I almost enjoy making jigs & tools as much as making things with them.
I know how you feel!
You must have professional experience either in movies of public speaking. Yours is the best I've seen online.
Pallets for roofing tiles are mostly hard wood. Lots of them are shipped from S. America, may find some extra beautiful wood.
Rex Krueger: the SST Records of the woodworking community.
There's like 2 people who will get that, but they're rolling on the floor right now!
When Rex asked if his enthusiasm was weird, my heart melted. I want to give you a hug and tell you loving your hobbies is not weird. My bf and I love your videos!
A year and a half later and as of now you have six times the amount of subscribers congratulations!
Man I just love this! I'm building a metal cutting lathe right now; had to build the charcoal foundry first... and a small wood working shop to make patterns.. lol.
I see that "Central Machinery" harbor freight lathe!
I’m so glad you made this series and have every intention of building this lathe. Only problem is I don’t have a motor to use and would love if you could reply with all of the relevant specs of this motor so viewers like myself could pick one up. If you could recommend a specific model on amazon perhaps that would be amazing. Thank you very much for this video series and your coming response. You are awesome!!!
I see the little machinist toolbox you picked up at the Hershey show in the background. :D
Thanks Rex. I really enjoy your steady and witty teaching style. I hadn't previously bothered looking at any of your plans or documentation.
But, the other day I had some time available and got excited after I watched the video on making a marking gauge. I got really excited (because I already have a half decent gauge I bought years ago) and decided I 'needed' to buy your plans for it.
I got the collection for I think $8. A bit of an ouch as Paypal turned it out of good old Aussie pesos and found that was almost $12.
But many many positive feelings of good will as I looked over the intricate designs and lots of notes.
Heartfelt thanks, especially for others who are less lucky than I.
A suggestion if you ever find yourself with time to troll the net for other bits required for your designs.... can you see if there's anything equivalent in Ozland? I've found it hard to get those bits here. Easy in the States. Not so easy here.
After watching a few videos I quickly teal zed this man's intelligence is high
Maybe split blocks w grooves for the pipe and bolted together w 3/4 bolts w washers. Just a thought. Maybe even use HD U bolts.
I appreciate your can-do approach.
Great presentation skills Rex Fun and practical
I do the same kind of laugh anytime a plan comes together. Most satisfying feeling in the world. Looking forward to the rest of this build 👍🏼
Doesn't everybody laugh like that? It feels totally natural to me.
😂
Ow boy, making senses are tingling. I don't need a lathe, but a disk sander is pretty much the same and that could come in handy for me at this point. Great content, thanks for the inspiration!
You know, there's no reason you couldn't build the machine and use it as BOTH. I mean, why have one tool when you can have two?
Yep, just going to downsize for the first one. Tiny kitchen workshops are tiny. Thanks again!
Not gonna build it, but it's still interesting to see what engineering solutions you came up with
Awesome start - Will definitely be looking forward to the rest of this build.
I got "adjustable spade bits" from a craigslist ad, guy gave them to me for free along with the item i was buying.i was like why would you ever need these? I guess this type of application shows a use for them! And yes Amazon sells them too
Every DIYer knows the laugh at 12:12 ❤️
I found this video very enjoyable even though I have no desire for a lathe. I have turned two items in my life and that was in high school shop class 50 years ago. It was required to finish the course and receive credit for the course.
Never to late to get back into it! But seriously, glad you enjoyed the video even though it's not totally up your alley.
That is So awesome Rex. I was wondering the same things about a Lathe and i always wanted to get into Lathe working. I just never had the money to get one, because of the price. Thanks for showing how you can build your own Lathe from parts in a junkyard or scrap wood is So exciting. I can't wait for Part 2 and see how it comes out.
I'm really glad. Just so you know, this is going to be at least 4 parts before I'm done. But each one should be full of useful information.
Well, i will be watching all of them. To probably build my own one in the near future and save thesis episodes.
Awesome start Rex! I will definitely be following this build. I'll be setting up my shop after the new year and a lathe will be a part of it, looks like it will be a "home built" rather than an expensive purchase after all! Keep up the awesome content!
Thanks a lot. Glad I can help!
Another idea for the pipe fit-up. drill the 1.25 holes add perpendicular .5 holes rip saw the block through the middle of the bed holes. use half inch carriage bolts and reef the assembly together.
That is not a bad idea!
@@RexKrueger Thanks. Alternate ideas are much easier after a GOOD one has been presented.
Was about to mention the gingery lathe but you literally beat me to it.
This is a fantastic video, Rex. Definitely loving the humour too. I particularly like the "tapping" the tubes into the end block, and the swing.
dibley1973 really glad you're enjoying it!
Old appliances are a good source to scavenge motors for projects like this. Washing machines, dryers (0.25-0.75 hp typical) and treadmills (2.5-3 hp common) are usually plentiful for free or cheap on sites like Craigslist, OfferUp, and Freecycle. A belt grinder or a band saw might be fun to tackle next. :)
You could also buy one of those adjustable spade bits. I would like to buy one myself.
I’ll use a similar method once I start looking at doing MUCH larger pieces that a production lathe won’t accommodate like the Laguana I’m looking at getting. Like 40 inch dia. platters/bowls or offset rotation ovals. A harbor freight engine or a wrecked motorcycle/scooter engine would work well as well for the drive probably, plus you’d get shifting capacity with a moto engine.
I'm so glad I found you. Was thinking of spending 1500 on a lathe. Now I think it may be better to follow your lead.
Not sure, but I’ve heard that discarding ANY sized piece of Teak is illegal in most States. What’s more, I feel it should carry the max sentence... but death is too kind. Kidding aside, love your great videos. Very thorough, to the point and without assuming your viewerships skill level, your clear instructions, I find thoughts your commentary spot on.
Thx, always knew there was a (relatively) simpler way to make a DIY lathe...not easy BUT more accessible than the "Gingery" method ( making DIY foundry )...
I'm mad at humanity that you found a teak beam in a dumpster.
IT !! WAS !! ACTUALLY DCARS !! TRASH !! CAN !! HE !! FOUND !! EVERYTHING!! THERE !! AND !! LOTS !! MORE !! TOO !!
This is really cool! I have wondered youtube for a convincing diy lathe for quite some time, this build seems what I am looking for: safe, and sturdy good job rex!
That's EXACTLY what I was hoping people would say!
To drill holes for which you do not have the correct width Spade bit-simple, just grind the sides of the Spade bit until you reach the correct size. I have done this twice now and it works well Just buy a load of cheapo Spade bits for this and finish off with a fine file.
Oh, a note for those building this lathe (or anything else with 1" ID black iron pipe ways for that matter): the OD of the pipe is 1.315" . A 1-5/16" (1.3125") Forstner bit will give you that very snug fit without the possible eccentricity induced by wobbling a smaller bit. They're pretty widely available (amazon, online tool vendors, etc).
An easy way to get started turning is with a pole lathe. Used for thousands of years. Windsor chairs are traditionally made with one using green wood. I've seen bowls made on pole lathes too.
Also, look up concrete lathes. For WWII, the US needed to make metal working lathes with precision. Concrete also provides weight for vibration damping.
I have spent HOURS reading about the concrete lathe. I want a metal lathe SO badly and they seem like a good option.
Can't wait for the next part! I own some Teak.... 1,20meter to 0,80meter and 55mm thick. Old tables!
Inspire me, Rex :-)
Dude, did I not just inspire you by BUILDING A LATHE FROM SCRATCH? :)
Inspire me more! :-)
You have a great TH-cam personality and awesome content! Keep up the great work.
Thanks so much!
Nice project Rex. Just my cup of tea :)
One day I'll build my own lathe as well.
I'm really glad you like it. I keep up with your channel, too. Your videos are still great. You are one of the hidden gems of TH-cam
Cool project Rex, I'm fairly a new fan and planning on building one shortly, so looking forward for the next part. Cheers mate.
Welcome aboard!
Check your local Craigslist for a used treadmill. yank the motor (DC servo type) and control board and with the help of TH-cam, you can make a variable speed setup without having to make or buy extra pulleys! Definitely subbing for the rest of the build!
I love the DC motor idea and that's on the list for future upgrades, but for now, I'm sticking with this AC motor so people can more easily follow along. Thanks for watching.
OHHHHH! Now I want to build a new lathe for me! And I want it to be the 24" version you started with. Vibration will be biggest issue, but that is why God invented sandbags and bags of cement.
Yeah, I would go slowly and carefully if you want 24" of swing. The design I have here is not up to the challenge. Everything will need to be stronger. Good luck and stay safe!
"I found this teak"
"I found this tent pole"
"I found this bandsaw motor"
I feel like Rex spends 40% of this time making videos and 60% of this time at the dump.
HE !! LIVES !! THERE !! IN !! AMOUNG !! IT !! AND !! OSCARS !! HIS !! BEST !! FRIEND !!
Actually, apart from the teak... I've got a bunch of tent poles (we ham radio types are always scrounging material for antennas :D ) and well, since I just up-motored my bandsaw I've got an extra motor :D
I so enjoy your channel! I take away a lot of fantastic information. This is no exception. Thanks for the great content!
My pleasure!
Ow. Check your bench and re-plane it to flat, then use some winding sticks on your ways and plane the support blocks to match your bench, then add some care on lining up the spindle with the ways. David Gingery's book makes the tailstock early to help align the spindle to the ways. Maybe you could do at least the front part of the tailstock, and then use it to plane the tops of your headstock pyramids level with the tailstock and also position the spindle bearings. Maybe make a fake tailstock pyramid 'T' then put it on the ways as T_____Ha_Hb and _______Ha_T_Hb until you get the bearings level and located. As described, it looks like you can't check if your bearings and spindle are all parallel to the ways.
Love your stuff Rex. Can I please please pretty please use your laugh as a sound bite? Please please?
You, sir, are an animal! I mean that as a compliment. I wish I was this inspired when it comes to outfitting my shop! Keep up the awesomeness!
I'm proud to be an animal!
There used to be a UK kit of parts that could be made into a lathe using concrete as much of the structure. My Dad and I built a lathe using commercially available shafting and bearings for the headstock and scaffolding tubes for the bed, it was OK, it worked. The real failing was the headstock, without a standard thread we couldn't attach any commercially available chucks or fittings. And it was too thin and prone to allowing vibration and chatter. Build it big.
Yeah, I'm very fascinated by that concrete lathe idea. I've read a lot about it. I do want someone on TH-cam to build one. Maybe it should be me. Maybe not.
Well done, I love the evil laugh when your monster comes to life. 😁 12:13
Aaron Sprague You know, that's my triumphant laugh. I'm a bit disturbed that it sounds evil. Oh well, the lathe works!
@@RexKruegerI like to think of it as the laugh Frankenstein gave when he gave life to his creation. 😎 Regardless it was a laugh of successes, triumph and not of an evil geines about to take over the world with his lathe... Right?
Man, if I COULD take over the work with a lathe, you bet I'd do it!
I was pretty happy about it!
That's quite a project. I think I'd have quite some anxiety building that without your guide
Hey Rex, this looks really great but you might want to replace the rods you tapped into the tailstock end support with some countersunk bolts. I suspect between vibrations and wood movement the rods might work their way out with time.
That's a good observation, and it's an easy change to make. Nice!
Thanks for this! I'm a bit circumspect about the brass garden screw on the headstock spindle though. I've been looking at screw adaptors so standard chucks and plates can be used, but it seems that the only ones available for a plain shaft are for the 5/8 inch shopsmith spindle, which seems to me a bit small for turning bowls. A decent shaft with a 33mm spindle thread (record, axminster, jet) would be ideal, but arghh...just doesn't exist.
Really nice build
I can’t find the fellows channel you said at the end of your video. Love your vids such an inspiration thanks
I'll add a link to the description. Thanks.
Rex Krueger thank u
EPIC! Thanks for including a parts list!
you can use angle instead pipe
@ 9:20, that's not a tent steak, it's a K rail pin.
Circuses may use them as "tent steaks", but only because they,,,UM,,,get them for free,,,if you know what I mean.
K rails are those temporary cement barriers used on freeways at construction zones that have steel loops cast into the ends, and those pins run through those loops connecting them.
Well, I learned something today!
Great idea, just in time. I was planning to build something similar just this days. Your build process and your explanation will definitely be the major inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure! Thanks for watching!
I've been putting together a lathe slowly over the past year. Most of it is in the designing part and occasional snagging of parts when I see them cheap, since it's not a big priority over other things. Instead of pipe or a twin beam design I'm going to be using aluminum miter track attached to a solid bed, with the tail stock attached to a stop that can lock down. If that doesn't end up being strong enough I might try either doubling it or having to come up with something else.
Oh, and I'm going pedal-powered. Not treadle. Like the old pedalled barnes lathes from the late 1800s. It seemed like it would allow for more control than a treadle while also not running up my electric bill or annoying my neighbors... and has a built in "lathestop" haha.
Please
Please
Please
Make it super cheap and easy to make
I've been searching for diy lathe for months now and yours i think got the right stuff so far just dont over do it for guys like me thats just beginer. Great job
I'll do it. I'll make it as cheap as possible. I can't promise it will be easy. This is a big tool that needs variable speed and many parts that move and adjust with precision. Still, I believe that even a beginner can do this. Do me a favor, share this video on your favorite social platform. That will really spread the word and help me get this done. Thanks!
I dont get it also that you dont have so much subs your channel is way better to not get that much traffic
I don't know. I'm not that great at promoting my own videos. Hard to find the time. If you like, you can share this video on any social platform you like. It's a huge help.
I think you shoud do more builds cause thats what people wanna see.. Specially you have a diff.approach on things it will be a blast to see you make stuff
Good luck to you...
This is exactly what I needed. It's about time to replace/reuse my old ShopFox!
Awesome!
Great video man, thank you! I have that exact same HF lathe (which I love) but before I picked it up I was really debating trying to build one. Had I seen this first I might have tried it - thank you so much for putting this content out there !
Ok. Rex,
you loaded yourself for this...
How 'teak' is it?
About das teak!
I love Teak as well because it's very stable, and not a horse stable. Dense, strong, resistive wood and termite lose their teeth on it as well.
I'm just starting my build of this so I'm re-watching it for the 10th time 😁 I wonder what Rex did with this when he moved to his new shop?
I was wanting a lathe for about 20 years, and then this summer I just decided to build one, but I made a pole lathe out of wood that I already had, and I made the tools out of an old file. My budget was basically nothing, and the only things I actually had to buy were a couple of bolts that I made the centres out of.
BTW, another guy who made his own lathe, and whose channel you might enjoy if you haven't seen it before is Jeremy Fielding. He's a really interesting guy.
I think I've seen some of Jeremy's videos, but I'll go subscribe right now. Thanks for the tip!
Both shaft collars are on the same respective side, shouldn't 1 of those shaft collars be on the opposite side so the shaft doesn't walk?
It's been a while since I did this project, so I honestly don't remember, but you could totally be right.
When drilling the holes to take the bed tubes exactly the right diameter of hole can be acheived with an expansive bit either in a brace or with a hex ended version in a drill. It is always best to make a test cut on a piece of scrap when adjusting an expansive bit as any adjustment one makes to the radius that it cuts of course creates double the difference on the diameter and one does not always acheive perfection first time.
The forstner bit did not work on the first set up because as with all types of large diameter wood bits be they flat, forstner or auger, the centre* of the bit must contact the work first to keep it running true.
*Limey
LOL, Pounding that in using the floor. +10
Glad you liked it!
Could you drill the rod holes, split the wood in half and then bed the rods like a rifle barrel, then reattach the top half of the blocks, eliminating fit issues?
Sure. Sounds good!
I am using old bed rails attached to MDF as my ways. I find bed rails very cheap at thrift stores.
Joseph Lorentzen Sounds like a great approach. I hope to see pics at some point!
Great job as usual, Rex!
Jason Bailey I'm really glad you think so!
Great project Rex, I hope to build a treadle lathe in the future so I'll be keen to see how your project turns out :)
Good luck on your build!
Nice start on a DIY lathe. Nice video. Thanks for sharing! : )
12:12 when everything is going according to plan
HIT !! IT !! ON !! CONCRETE !! FLOOR !!
Unfortunately Rex, you used the tail stock pointed shaft for the driven shaft????
2:48 is that 8" to center, inside dimensions or outside dimensions....
Or, does it even matter?
This looks great!
Necessity is the mother if invention. When I started turning, I figured the lathe was maybe 1/2 the cost of what you would spend for 'accessories'. Now, I think the lathe is about 1/4 the cost....
Have a treadmill motor, speed control, bed rails (2 sets), and 2 one inch black pipe 10 inch sections. I am going to use the bed rails for my ways. Can I ask why the head stock did not use one of those. I found a face plate at a thift store and it screws on to the black pipe. I am thinking I can have a Morse taper at both ends. Can you think of any reason that would not work?
Love it bud I made a small wooden 1 and turned out nice I’m going to make a steel 1 but I love diss video
12:10 I get these exact same moments, and react in the exact same way!
I am going to try laminated plywood.
If you get wheels and not pullies, you could replace that rubber belt with a bandsaw blade. That way you would have an all-in-one tool/death-trap for beginning turners.
I'm sorry, I got lost somewhere in the sarcasm. What exactly are you trying to say?
Haha...It was a lame joke that wasn't intended to be anything more than an expression of where my mind was running with the project. When people like you get ideas like these, they turn out. When I get ideas like these, I over-complicate them, make them more than they need to be, and end up creating something that isn't really useful for anything. Worse than that, I overwhelm myself with possibilities and end up not starting the project at all. This was not ment to say your tool is a death-trap. I was saying that mine would be. I love your work, and I'm very, very interested in seeing how this works. I would love to try something like this.
Oh! I TOTALLY misinterpreted what you were trying to say. Thanks for taking the time to articulate your thoughts! I appreciate the compliments, as well. I have the exact same problem with over-complicating things. You know what really helps? Video publishing deadlines.
Rex, if you see this please type in the TH-cam channel regarding the metal forge and lathe. It's Maker ? and I tried a lot of combos but have not found the site yet.