Hayall,
Does anyone know how to go about building a simple, but good enough for pipes, wood lathe? I was thinking that since pipemakers used treadle lathes in the old days that a simple powered lathe would also be satisfactory for learning the art in the early stages whilst saving up for a bigger number. Would it be easier /cheaper to build one because 2nd hand ones are real hard to come by?
Cheers,
DavidG
Have you checked eBay for used lathes? They are not so hard to come by if you are willing to accept the quality of a home-made lathe. Many of the pro pipemakers are using metal lathes for the increased accuracy and control. These are also available used from time to time. Like anything else, you get what you pat for. I have seen some articles on the web about home made lathes. You would still need machinist’s tools etc. As for the treadle lathes, I have seen these in use, and it would take you a VERY long time to create anything with them that would come close to the accuracy required to make a chanter.
djm
Lathes are relatively easy to find. In pre-cable TV days, men had lathes out of necessity and for enjoyment. So, manual treadle lathes are out there and likely unused.
As far as other lathes, there are a ton on eBAY.
I’ve seen some plans mentioned doing random Google searches. In fact, I think there’s probably some books that you may be able to check out at the library. I don’t know if there’s anything like an interlibrary loan in Australia . . .
Ask your pipemakers in Australia, too. On their way to getting their lathe(s), they usually encounters other ones that for one reason or another they didn’t acquire.
David.. have a look at these which may be of more use to ye,as I am sure ye have already thought of looking at EBay :roll:
The 1st is quite a detailed drawing for building a treadle lathe the other 2 are foties of 2 others,one utilising a sewing machine treadle which is good (O’Mealley used one as did I think Rowesome).
Let me know how ye get on ,I fancy making one frae the sewing machine as I have one so let me know how ye get on..ie I will let ye figure it all out,build it and then ye can send me the plans so I have an easier time o it 
http://www.woodturningplus.com/TJones/return3.jpg
http://www.lathes.co.uk/goodell-pratt/img17.gif
http://www.americanartifacts.com/smma/advert/ay83b.jpg
or ye could go primitive with…
http://www.gallica.co.uk/celts/polelath.htm
or…http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/wood.htm
Slán Go Foill
Uilliam
Thanks people for the suggestions. Uilliam, you’re right, I’ve done the Ebay thing - no good yet.
But yes, I have considered using a sewing machine treddle from the old Singers that are still to be found a-plenty here in Australia. Thanks also for the links. I’ll do some homework and see what I can come up with.
Cheers,
DavidG
Really??? I was planning on just using the toothpicks from my pantry 
Sorry…couldn’t help myself. Just being faece…faceis…stupid 
I’ll just have to invest in the 3-phase powered types that Harrington and Coyne used then
Cheers,
DavidG
http://files.owwm.com/PDF/krucker/1883Lathe.pdf
Bit on George Lott:
http://www.pipersgathering.org/Program%20Highlights/program_highlights.htm
Some photos:
http://www.pipersgathering.org/Gallery%202003/GeoDavelatheSD03.jpg
http://www.pipersgathering.org/Gallery%202003/GeoDavelathe2SD03.jpg
http://www.pipersgathering.org/Gallery%202003/GeoDavelathe3SD03.jpg
Dave, I was simply pointing out the amount of time it takes to turn anything out with a treadle lathe. Yes, they are noted for the degree of accuracy that an experienced operator can achieve, but you had previously noted that you had played a chanter that was turned out in an hour. You won’t be turning out much of anything in an hour on a treadle lathe. If you have nothing but time on your hands then, sure, go for it. Enjoy! 
djm
Why put all that energy into trying to build and/or purchase a used wood lathe. Here is a new one for under $200 dollars. With planning and care you can build a set of pipes on this machine.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G8691
I have to go with Pat on this one. What do you want to be, a pipemaker or a lathe maker? The rig I have (Jet 1236) is more than adequate for the demands of pipemaking. It cost me something like $450US. It ain’t perfect, but it’s functional. Contrary to what some may tell you, the turning involved in pipemaking isn’t all that demanding. Although, judging from some of the stuff I’ve seen out there, apparently it’s demanding for some. Your primary concern as a pipemaker is the ability to drill and ream an accurate bore and tone holes. Even that can be accomplished on relatively modest gear. I would suggest that, at a minimum, you should find a lathe with a morse taper tail stock. You’ll also need a drill press, but there again, a modest bench model would be adequate. Expect to spend more time and money on your tooling than you do on your machines.
Kevin
hi try a look on this site
http://www1.tpgi.com.au/users/p8king/tl4000.htm,
seems like a nice lathe to me
Tramaluk, consider how long a chanter is, especially flat chanters, then look at the size of the bed on this lathe.
djm
From what little i know, a wood lathe is no good - too short. You’re better off with a metal lathe.
BOOKS ON LATHES
http://search.ebay.com/lathe-book_W0QQsojsZ1QQfromZR40
ONE PROMISING AUCTION
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=268&item=6949859092&rd=1
BUILDING A SMALL LATHE
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=25281&item=3879615662&rd=1
yep djm
i can see where your coming from,but i’m a bit confused as i can’t find a pillow or duvet on that lathe at all,may be some ones taken the bed off it, or it might have been sold,or worse ..stolen
Sorry DJM, I know your intentions were good. Hope I didn’t come over like a cynical, arrogant fart.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Cheers,
DavidG
Pat…I’ve been eyeing this one which I think is similar -
http://svc010.bne011i.server-web.com/catalogue/carbatec2/cache/header-717public__0-0.html?cache=no
or this ine, but more expensive -
http://svc010.bne011i.server-web.com/catalogue/carbatec2/cache/header-1450public__0-0.html?cache=no
PJ - wood lathes are not too short. If anything they are more accommdating than metal lathers because its easier to get extension beds for them if I have been observing correctly.
Cheers,
DavidG
David,
For my first attempts at pipe making I used my Jet 1236 variable speed lathe. I think it was a good investment. It is very similar to the Carbatec MC900 that you are looking at. The good features on these ‘hobby’ lathes are..
the variable speed (no having to stop the machine and move the belt to change speeds).
hollow tail stock, which is essential for boring the piolt hole, unless you have a steady rest (which is expensive, and something more common to metal lathes).
Reasonable stability and accuraccy, which is hard to get in any of the machines priced below these units.
Problems with this type of set up (and wood lathes in general).
Slowest speed (~500 rpm) is too fast for accuarte boring; I had a REAL hard time doing this on my lathe and so did a friend of mine on his wood lathe. But it can be done with patience.
You will need to purchase a chuck for holding the work while boring, they are not cheap.
A treadle lathe would have to be pretty advanced to accomplish these things - and the simplest ones I have seen still require a very high level of wood working skill to make, and are best suited to ornamental spindle work and not really designed for machining wood (which is what pipe making is really). For instance, it would be hard to pump the treadle and manipulate the auger through the tail stock and all. But then again people have managed to do amazing things with the simplest of tools.
I recently aquired a second-hand metal lathe and boy oh boy I can already tell you this is the best choice (but not the most economical).
The slowest speed is ~40 rpm, you can percisely center the head and tail stocks and it is super stable and accurate. Boring is significantly easier. The metal lathe has the advantage that you can also make your own cuting tools like tapered reamers, mandrels etc.
I still intend to use the wood lathe; it is the best choice for roughing and finishing work.
Another option is to find used head and tail stocks, then make your own bed from angle iron and fix the whole thing to a very stable bench. You need to get a motor and pullys, but these are widely available. A friend of mine did just this and his lathe is very good. He uses it to turn Congalese drums, which is pretty scary when ~80 lbs of hard wood starts whipping about all out of round and all 
But his set up has proved to be very strong and reliable, and not very costly or time consuming to get there.
Actualy, I am planning on making my own home made lathe just for kicks, and to have something that is man powered and portable (but not for pipe building). Mine will be powered by bicycle, complete with gear shifters to change the spindle speed!
Anyways, whatever path you take good luck to you!
(and do seek advice from Australian pipe and flute makers, I am sure that somebody might be able to hook you up with something)
John.