Re: Oooops
Thom D
>Several of Roy's books have lathe designs in them, you should be able to pick them up at the library or a book store.
Steve Schmeck has an online freebook called Make Your Own Treadle lathe.
Richard star has an excellent lathe in his woodworking for kids book using bicycle parts and an interesting reciprocal momentum principle. The freewheel makes the lathe speed adjustable.
You have to decide whether you want to make a working lathe or whether in addition it needs to be historically accurate/plausible. If you just want function, one of the best materials for a wheel is MDF. I hate the stuff, but when it came to making my wife's spinning wheel, I listened to all the ladies who said how sad it was to see a spinner who is stuck with a home made wheel. I listened and upon seeing that they paid extra for MDF, that is what I used.
Treadle lathes can require, some metal work, welding , machining, etc... This probably partly explains the appeal of pole lathes since they use spikes for bearings. Still there is always a work around.